Carol Lopez - Painter

2008-09-19T12:15:00.000-07:00

These are four of the landscapes at Creative Framing, only until Oct. 1. The two on the left are of the Fraser River, which is very close to my home/studio.

One of my new "red series" abstracts

2008-09-19T12:11:00.000-07:00

My work alternates between representational and abstract - people do say they can always recognize my style, however, so there's always a lot of "me" in the paintings.

A current show of my work

2008-09-19T11:59:00.000-07:00

I have 10 paintings featured (until Oct. 1) at Creative Framing Galley, 3332 Main Street, Vancouver. Here's a picture of Rob Austin, waiting to greet you, show you my work, and give great advice on framing as well. Scroll up to see some of the work - it includes landscapes and some new abstracts as well.

Domitilo's project

2008-09-14T08:03:00.000-07:00

Three generations of one family worked on this project - Domitilo, his father, and his son, as well as other compadres from Los Ingenios, the village across the highway. They obviously enjoyed the work, the planning and the completion of a really solid, well-built "pas a mano" - and for me, watching the teamwork is a lesson in how to live in the moment, having fun and taking pride in one's work.

New pas a mano

2008-09-13T16:31:00.001-07:00

The last improvement that was done on my house in Mexico was a guard rail for the teraza - it is an adaptation of an old style of building (antigua, as the Mexicans say) It has given the house more privacy and usable space...

Back to blogging - and a photo of the local hunter-gatherers

2008-09-13T16:31:00.000-07:00

After a break from blogging, because of computer and camera problems, I'm back! This picture (above) is of two of my neighbors in La Manzanilla shooting an iguana. If they get him, he will be part of their dinner!

2008-04-27T06:34:00.000-07:00

Just across the street from me, a palapa is being built - each piece of palapa (the palm grass) is towed up from below, and then woven into place on the framework of guayabilla (very hard wood) posts.

The Way to Go

2008-04-06T17:26:00.000-07:00

Getting a ride down the hill with Paul on his ATV - then later, celebrating with the workmen, as we complete the renovations for now - i didn't think they would like sparkling wine - but it went down all right!

2008-03-07T05:12:00.000-08:00

Some of the paintings I have completed in the back yard studio - a refuge while all the work was going on. The top painting - "At the Friday Market" (uncropped - that is the concrete of the background teraza you can see) - is my favorite, and the one that is displayed at Galeria La Manzanilla right now.

2008-03-02T12:26:00.000-08:00

Siesta - and then on to the back yard patio pisos

2008-02-29T05:45:00.000-08:00

I asked the workers to lay out the pisos (floor tiles) diagonally, as the back patio has no square lines to it - today, I will ask if they can do a mandala in small stones (piedras), just to add an interesting feature in the floor. I think they will enjoy the change - and the chance for some artistic self-expression.
It's interesting to see how they use fishing line to keep the lines of tiles straight, and build up the layer of cement, used as mortar, to level the floor as well. Here in Mexico, there are many uneven surfaces, and I have been teaching the word "trip" to Martin and Raul, as we try to minimize tripping hazards in the house.
As you can see, one of the columns is gone...creating a bigger patio space (or .
another studio) in this complex of home, studio and gallery space.

Another Demolition

2008-02-29T05:40:00.000-08:00

There were 2 columns used to hold up the outdoor shower stall - one was blocking the flow of movement on the back patio - and then Paul said it could be removed, so here goes!

Papaya Time!

2008-02-27T16:46:00.000-08:00

Los albaniles (the workers) have spotted a ripe papaya plant...time for a break to have a little fun. Manuel climbs a wall, and balances on the 4" wall while holding a home-made papaya-picker, as the papayas are way beyond reach...He uses the picker to wiggle a papaya free...then another, and another...but then he encounters a stubborn one...keeps wiggling it till it falls on his head - papaya shampoo! all this time, I am anxiously watching, worrying that he will fall off the wall, but no-one else seems to worry - after all, he is a Mexican, and they are very skilled at anything involving heights...still, I am relieved when he comes down, and we all share the sweet papaya -valor de la pena!

Jason and Enrique

2008-02-24T21:20:00.000-08:00

Finally, the week I've been waiting for - my son and grandson arrive for a one week visit - and what a great time we have had - Enrique is in his element, with the beach, girlfriends, new foods to try (tamales, tacos, and frozen treats), the beach, a lot of alone time and bonding with his Dad and Grandma, creative time, and - did I mention.., the beach??

Primavera

2008-02-24T21:15:00.000-08:00

The sign of spring here in la Manzanilla

2008-02-24T20:57:00.000-08:00

Returning from my relaxing day at Tenacatita, I found the "new" kitchen well underway...it is being opened up, so that the sink juts out into a bay window, and I can have herbs and beet greens growing in pots at arm's length...nopal fritatas will be delicious from now on - I might never have to go out to a restaurant again! Actually, the workers are joking with me - in Spanish - saying "OK, how many orders of ceviche is that you want?" - and the best thing is... I am getting the jokes!! All this work on the house is definitely improving my Spanish!
In a later post, I will show before and after pictures of the kitchen - and tell the story of how an award-winning chef came to re-design it - stay tuned!

2008-02-24T20:53:00.000-08:00

The Seductive Color of Tenacatita

2008-02-24T20:12:00.000-08:00

Every so often, my friend Gail invites me to go for an afternoon at Tenacatita for a swim, lunch and some total relaxation. It is lined with very colorful restaurants, the tablecloths glowing like jewels under the palapas. I am so thankful for my digital camera on these afternoons - and one day soon, a whole series of Tenacatita paintings will be unveiled...

Another Art Class for Kids

2008-02-22T23:49:00.000-08:00

Last week, Judy volunteered to teach self-portraits. Marco, from La Huerta, helped hold the mirrors so the kids could see their individual characteristics. Later,with his help, many of them continued exploring 3-D paper art (from recyclables). Some of the kids didn't leave till 1:00.

Other adults have promised to come and share their interests with the kids; Rusty (just a big kid himself, says Julie) to share his ideas for wacky characters, scorpions and such...and Katherine, who has a gift for making unique beaded jewelry... and Carol, who gathers humble natural objects like bones, feathers, and coconuts, and transforms them into art objects.

...and we have the Galeria just down the street - we took the kids on a gallery tour - so they could see there are many ways to express yourself. This village is so rich in resources - for artists of all ages.

New Steps

2008-02-22T23:40:00.000-08:00

Finally, we can use the front entrance again, as the new steps winding around the column are completed...and the hibiscus is still bravely blooming, putting out new blossoms every day, even though, these days, it is covered in cement dust.

Art Students

2008-02-22T23:24:00.000-08:00

Linda and Bruno are two of the students that meet to take art lessons with me in the back yard studio twice a week. Linda and Fred (second picture up) take the bus from Barra de Navidad...Fred actually spent his 82nd birthday painting an acrylic of my house from the front - sitting all morning in the hot sun, painting "en plein air". I plan to spend my 82nd birthday (in a few years) doing just the same!

The New La Manzanilla Towing Service

2008-02-18T19:44:00.000-08:00

Hard to believe, but a few days ago, this little (macho) quad was towing Josefina in the full size vehicle through the back streets of La Manzanilla - did you make it to the service station, Paul?

Art From Recyclables

2008-02-12T13:48:00.000-08:00

Every Saturday at 11:00, children of La Manzanilla are invited to participate in an art activity in the studio in my back yard. Here you can see the results of giving the children small boxes, paper, glue and markers, and just asking them "Que es possible?"

If anyone in La Manzanilla wants to get rid of clean small recyclables send them over to my pace at the corner of Perula and Manglares. Maybe we can use them!

More Casa Pictures

2008-02-06T05:40:00.000-08:00

The new roof for the open living space will also be a teraza (large balcony) for the palapa level of the house; once the floor is finished with tiles, a rail will be added all around...a good place to go out and paint in the morning - or see the sunset.

It's surprising that the whole village isnt paved with concrete by now...for small jobs here, the concrete is just mixed on the street, and hauled in in 5 gallon buckets by Manuel, Mario, and Pepe, so Angel and Martin can use it for the plastering of all those new surfaces...at this time, though they are taking their desayunos break, and the shovels are getting a rest, too.

The third shot (going up) is the house seen from the front - the large tree is a primavera, and the vine climbing it is called a leticia (has beautiful mauve flowers)...2 different garden experts have assured me that the vine won't choke the tree - it sure is vigorous, though...

The last picture here gives an idea of all the layers of construction...would make a good abstract painting...oh, the muchachos have just arrived to start work - they always arrive about 10 minutes early, start work at 8:00, and work till 5:00, with only one formal meal break for an hour. I enjoy practicing my Spanish with them, though it takes concentration, as they speak so quickly, and in the local dialect...mas despacio, por favor!

Hibiscus - with matching Puesta Del Sol

2008-02-06T05:27:00.000-08:00

The hibiscus is such a beautiful flower - love this peach color!