Abstract or Figurative?

I am working in the Vandiver Gallery 5 days a week where I meet new art lovers. Many are Spanish speaking. I do live in Mexico, and it is my responsibility to speak their language.

Many of the visitors also speak English and they kindly ask me where I am from. My accent gives me away. I do go to a private Spanish conversation class once a week, but I still need a lot more practice. I have heard that leaning, or attempting to learn a new language prevents the onslaught of Alzheimer's disease. Let's hope!

Just when I think I have figured out what my collectors want, I am surprised.  I had been convinced that abstracts sold better than figurative, but my figurative paintings are getting more attention. I have 6 more weeks in the gallery. It will be interesting to see if this enthusiasm continues.

My classes are getting more interest, especially when I explain the encaustic process and cold wax medium. I look forward to teaching more workshops.

The images bellow are cold wax medium on canvas paper. I am switching to cradled boards now and I will post more when they are finished.

Tomorrow is the day

It will be interesting to see who comes to our open studio/ pillow show room tomorrow. It is off season in San Miguel, but I am hoping that San Miguel regulars will stop in. 

Many of the pillows have been moved from the upstairs show/work room to be placed "on site" downstairs. 

I plan on doing an encaustic demo. I actually got my studio clean after last week's workshops.

We have also been busy with pets going to the vet. Our rescue dog was neutered yesterday. We have been caring for her for almost 3 weeks and the problem is that we have fallen in love with her. She is the dearest dog I have ever met and I pray that she will be in a loving home soon. Our old Boxer has skin cancer and an infected ear, and I fear my old cat is ill and wanting to leave this planet.

Nothing Stays The Same

As of last Wednesday, my daughter and I realized that we were not going to be able to get in the house we thought we had rented to take meaurements because the owner was on her "second honeymoon" with her ex husband and had the key with her and didn't want the agents to have it.

We persisted in asking for entrance to the house before we had the big moving sale.  We needed to know what to sell and what to keep. The house we are living in is much bigger than was the proposed new house. We were brushed off by the agents and told to relax and not to worry. We had paid the deposit and first months rent - I know, a big mistake, without signing the contract, because there were errors in dates and wording.

To skip all the unpleasantness and nasty texts accusing me of crazy things, we will still be moving June 1, but to another house; a much bigger house. Much of what we sold at the sale we could use.

I had a one day sale of paintings that proved to be successful, but I still have mountains of paintings to pack and move. I have been working in the studio for days and it will be several more days of packing to clear it enough to paint and clean the floor.

It will be worth all the work and stress once we are settled in our new, spacious, light-filled home.

Clearing the Studio

making piles in the living room.

Painting Prices Slashed!

It is time to go through all my paintings before the move and decide which ones can be discounted.
The new house is smaller and there will be a big painting sale, Saturday May 13th from 9 to 3 and many household items as well. Time to let things go! Here are some of the sale paintings. All will be at least 50% off retail and some even more. Come to the sale and choose one or more for your collection. If you don't live near by, I will arrange shipping. Contact me for individual prices.

Kai and Red, Nice, Jazz Festival, pastel on paper

"Almost Home" encaustic on board

encasutic

Almost Like Magic

This is the last day of the 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge, and this is the painting I am posting. Usually there is no way that I can complete a painting in a single day, but this one still surprises me. It was as if every brush stroke of the hot encaustic paint knew exactly where to go.

My heritage is Hungarian. I am a first generation American. The only time I visited Hungary was many. many years ago. At that time Budapest was drab and under the communist rein. The only thing colorful I saw was the National ballet. The drapes in the theater were dilapidated, but the costumes were blazing with color and the dancers passionate.

Not long after my return to the U.S. , the same dance troop came to Scottsdale AZ, where I was living at the time. Naturally, I attended the performance again and afterward I danced my way to the parking lot, much to the embarrassment of my daughters.

Several years ago ,an other Hungarian Dance troop came to San Miguel de Allende MX,  my home for the past 12 years. Of course I joyfully went. This troop performed modern interpretations of the traditional dances as well as the classics.

I bought the DVD and began my series of Hungarian dancers. This is the one that happened almost like magic. It is from one of the traditional dances.

24" x 32" encasustic on cradled board.