Tectonically Mexico

"A lo Largo del Rio" 30x40 ins.  oil on canvas
..... this photo is a little on the dark side - sorry, sorry, soorrry ..........

This is a largish studio painting inspired  from one of our plein air painting trips into the countryside of Guanajuato State. The rising hill on the left is actually a spur of an extinct volcano and the river is running around it's base. The whole region is peppered with these things. In fact, where we live in San Miguel is at the base of a rather large one! We don't lose any sleep over it as the vent has been inactive for over 10 million years but it does give you a sense of "the Living Planet" you're parked upon. You don't really have to go all that far from here to find some warm to hot ones either. Paricutin for example (a couple hundred miles from here) arose out of a corn field in the '1940's, buried nearby towns and is now a quarter mile high ......and there is of course, famous old Popo smoking away outside of Mexico city - plus lots more - about 1400 in all, scattered around central Mexico. Can't complain - they make for great backdrops to an exciting landscape! - Love It!

"Evening Vista, San Miguel de Allende"  24x30   oil on canvas

Looking north at sunset - the other direction from that nasty Volcano.

Monday Morning on calle Aldama and YES, that is the backside of the Parroquia.

"The Parroquia from Aldama"

12x16 ins. oil on panel

This scene has been painted thousands of times in San Miguel. I myself did it years ago when we first moved here permanently. I remember it was in the afternoon (this one is morning) and from a slightly different vantage point on the street. I saw the photo of that painting a couple of months ago and if I could find where I filed it (not in the obvious place) I would post it alongside. When I saw the pic of the old one I was pretty shocked at the tightness of approach. If I come across it and remember to do so, I'll sneak it in to this post - would be an interesting comparison. I'm a lot freer in my handling of the paint these days. My colors are more vibrant too - I like the direction things are heading. And just when I thought old age was going to be boring!

On a scale of Ten ?

ESQUINA SOLLANO 9x12 ins. oil on panel

 This one was from Monday's plein air session in which Donna and I had absolutely zero students show up! Yes, the busy season is really winding down. - must confess though, we enjoyed the peace and quiet. Donna located about 30 feet away and had the park car wash (north park side) guy watch every stroke she made - business was a bit slow for him that day too I guess. Her painting did survive the close scrutiny - the Sr. gave her a 10 on the scale and assigned me a niner ................. oh well, there is always room for improvement.

SPRING MORNING 9x12 ins. on panel

I missed last weeks plein air, so this was from 2 weeks back. I don't know where the Senor would place this one on his scale. It would be interesting to see his reaction. The style is quite different of course.

What is quite interesting about this scene is that the week after we painted this tranquil street a small contingent of mural painters was unleashed on the neighborhood, totally transforming the place. Everyone is waxing ecstatic about the result. Sorry folks - I find the effect of murals painted on walls abominable. To me, this typical, already colorful Mexican neighborhood, with a spirit all it's own has been trashed - it's prior identity submerged under something too loud and strident. People used to have more sense at one time.

.................So go crucify me...............