Fiesta 2013 is starting this week

The Photograph

 My latest work is a Maple tree from Connecticut in its full autumn glory. Not having been on the East coast ever, much less during fall, I lacked a direct connection to my subject, but Anna told about her trip and showed us her pictures then she gracefully lent me one of them and Jolanda who had ordered the watercolor, assisted me with her experience and counsel. (She is Dutch like myself and has lived in Connecticut.) I wanted to share some of the process with you, sorry I didn't take another picture early on. The watercolors are actually brighter than can be seen here. Jolanda and I are happy with the result and I am looking forward to one day seeing the fall glory for myself.

First Quick Sketch

 Starting this Friday April 19th, I will be on Alamo Plaza for 6 days, Friday through Wednesday, with the Randolph Art League, provided there is no heavy rain. Fiesta is a joyful happening in San Antonio and usually we meet nice visitors from all over the United States, Canada, South and Central America and Europe. This year, I will be selling cards and prints of my work. Look for my table under the trees.

Almost There

Finished

 















  Some of my original watercolor work can be seen in Seguin, TX at the Seguin Oakwood Art League, www.seguinoakwoodartleague.com has pictures of the watercolor reception. In San Antonio my Native American art is for sale at the Viva Bookstore (www. vivabooks.com), in the library of the Emily Morgan Hotel downtown www.emilymorganhotel.com, at Arthritis Associates at 4511 Horizon Hill 78229 and soon at the River Art Group Gallery in La Villita.

Little Boxes all the same?

This song brings back memories. Robert was driving in Germany with 2 year-old Misha and myself in the car. We listened to songs of the 70's. Two songs stood out. "Where have all the Flowers  gone?" "Put in Boxes, little Boxes all the same..." I vowed right there and then that my kids (we were expecting Gabriel) would not be put in boxes. Now, many years later, I believe, we succeeded: homeschooling, going to Japan, a diverse background to begin with and parents who encouraged them to think for themselves... But still Misha, Gabriel and Gerald went and are going to the universities, where we expect them to be exposed to a multitude of ideas and knowledge instead of being put into boxes. On the other hand, even I acknowledge that a little conformity is not so bad. I am not a revolutionary myself - far from it.

It was at a class at Edward Povey's about painting cardboard boxes that I first tried my hand at it and started seeing colors and shapes I liked. It made me think about Braque's abstract work, wondering if he was painting boxes as well.

I have a little series now and enjoy painting them. Of course, they can't all look the same!

Robert likes them; he sees more depth in them than in my usual work and likes the angles.

What do you think?