Goodbye 2011

On the eve of a New Year - so much has happened in 2011 with lots of growth both personally and as an artista. 

What an amazing time, with a new year ahead.  A whole year, 365 days to create, enjoy, and grow!  But, before I go on about the upcoming year, I want to take a moment and reflect on my accomplishments in what will soon be last year.  I finally plunged into my art....head first.  2011 was filled with discovering my creative self, refining my skills and just painting, painting, painting.  I had many failures, but I had many successes. 

My heart is always drawn back to watercolors....I just love the many and varied ways they can be used, but even though I love the medium, I also realized that I particularly enjoy black and whites.....an odd combination, I agree.  The exciting discovery for me was that by combining mediums (watercolor and acrylics) I can continue embracing both loves - black/white and watercolors. 

2011 will always be dear to me, as it was the year that I sold my first painting!  WOOHOO.  Okay, I know it isn't all about selling and should be about creating, but what a confirmation it was, to have someone pay me for what I love to do.  Not only did I sell my first piece, but I also had a successful show (not exhibit, but craft show).  Yes, I sold work, but more important, I got out there.  I put myself (my heart, my emotions and my soul) on display, and it was well received.  Another giant step forward. 

What promises does 2012 hold?  Mostly, I am now approaching my painting more as a business, and not so much as a hobby.  This year, I will no longer make time time here and there for creating.  The goal is to dedicate solid time to my craft.  I don't want a day to go by without having art in it - whether that is painting, drawing, journaling or simply looking at other's work.  For myself, the longer I am away from it, the harder it is to get back to it. 

Along with dedicating time and space each day to my work, I am also going to create a web page for myself.  The 21st century is here, and it is time I joined in.  Look out cyberspace and make room for my web page, face book and tweeter accounts.   And, of course, I will make a concentrated effort to keep my blog current (okay, I know I have said this before-but, it is a new year after all). 

I also must ask myself, what will I get "rid" of in 2012.  First on my list, are the distractions.  Not only the "things" that distract me, but also the people.  You know who I mean - the people who have nothing to do with their time, so they also want to waste my time. Farewell distractors - you know who you are. 

With much excitement, I wait for the approaching year.  Happy New Years Eve and may you all have a prosperous, creative 2012. 

Long Time - No Post

Fishing Boats in Fajardo

It has been sometime since I last posted, I have been busy painting!  Life has been interesting in Puerto Rico over the last several months.  I have been working on my Portfolio with hopes of doing an exhibit in San Juan in October.  Also, I am going to be visiting some of the local galleries in order to get some of my paintings sold. 


Being that I am in Puerto Rico, nothing is simple here.  Having had a business on the mainland, I thought it would be a relatively easy process to sell some paintings on the island....I thought wrong. 

Street Lamp in Old San Juan

First, and foremost, in order to do anything here, you have to have a tax identification certificate. Nothing so unusual about that. What does make it a bit more tricky is going through the process of dealing with the Departmento de Hacienda (P.R. tax dept.) speaking limited Spanish. It only took me two trips. I did think ahead enough to go online and download the form I have to fill out, and Thank goodness it was available in English. The form is very repetive, but relatively easy to fill out. With that done, I made a road trip to the Puerto Rico Dept. of Taxation located in San Juan.
The first thing you notice upon entering the building, is that you must sign in, and show Identification.  The guard at the desk will then direct you to where you need to go - or not.  Sometimes, like in my case, they direct you to the wrong office, where you are again directed to another wrong office, but, eventually you wind up where you need to be. 

Orchids growing in the parking lot of Condo Villas del Mar

I proudly handed over my completed form, only to be told, I had to provide two copies of the form.  Surprise, in the entire building (and it is large) there are no copy machines available to the public.  Disheartened, I went back home.  I made my copy on the printer, and struck out again the next day.  Success!!!  The lady took my forms, stamped my copy and handed it back to me.  I should receive my Tax Certificate within 30 days via the mail. 

Spider Lilies at the Beach

I can't even begin to express how important this certificate is.  You need it for everything.  If and artist displays their work in a gallery, you have to have a tax certificate.  If you sell crafts at a school christmas craft fair, you have to have a certificate.  In fact, one of my friends didn't have a certificate.  She was selling some handmade items at a school bazaar.  Unfortunately, the tax police made an appearance and asked her for her Certificate.  She speaks no Spanish, and the police spoke no English.  When she failed to produce the tax cert. they promptly handcuffed her, and took her into the parking lot, and gave her a ticket with a fine of up to $5,000.00.  She was so upset, mortified in fact.  The end result was she hired a lawyer, spent the day at court, and wound up with nothing more than having to take some classes on how to do business in Puerto Rico.  The lesson to be learned here, get the tax certificate.  I cannot do any business until this arrives. 

Friends
Painted at Botanical Gardens in Rio Piedras

The next step will be to become a registered Artisan of Puerto Rico.  This allows me to sell my paintings as a legitmate Artist on the island.  To get this, I must make an appointment with the Puerto Rico Industrial Development Assoc. (PRIDA).  They typically will see people on Tuesday and Thursday.  There is very strict criteria to qualify as a local Artist.

First, I must be either a native of Puerto Rico, or a bona fide resident (I am a resident).  Next, the work must be done by hand and it must be inspired by life in Puerto Rico.  Things that qualify include the fauna, flora, symbols, people, life of Puerto Rico. 

Once I am granted an interview, I must submit 5 paintings, and go through an interview.  If I qualify I will be granted the certificate on the spot, if not, the interviewer must tell me what I need to do to improve my chances of becoming registered.  I am working on my Portfolio now - once completed, I will call and set the appointment. 

The paintings I have posted are the 5 I will be submitting for my interview.

Waves at Isla Verde

Other things I am working on include a 6-7 painting study of waves.  I have completed two of them and find them fun and challenging.  I think they will make a fantastic exhibition. 

Thats all the latest and the greatest from Isla Verde, Puerto Rico.  Once I get my appointment, I will post how the entire process went, and whether or not I was successful in getting my certificate.  







dandelion card

Classic Brown 5x7 folded card

Modern greeting cards and party invitations by Shutterfly.

View the entire collection of cards.

A Day of Painting

El Morro as viewed from Isla de Cabra

The outting to Isla de Cabras was less than successful.  As soon as we got into the car to head out to the island, the skies got cloudy and the wind blew as if a hurricane were landing.  Not to be stopped, I got out all my supplies and set up for my first painting.  The wind was blowing so strongly, that before I could apply watercolor paint to my paper it would dry on my brush.  I am sure I looked like a performer from Cirque del Solel - pinning down my paper with one elbow, trying to keep my palette from blowing away with my foot, paint brushes in my mouth, water container in the other hand - yikes, not the best circumstances for painting. 

Old San Juan

The island itself is beautiful.  Just a quick history on Isla de Cabras - it is a small island, and in 1883 a small hospital was completed to house the local lepers, all 35 of them.  In 1926 a leper hospital was built more inland, and the in 1942 the US inaugerated Fort Amezquita which served as a military reserve in WW II. 
Since then, Isla de Cabras has been made a recreational park.  The hospital and fort still stand, but are in disrepair.  There is a small restuarant, picnic areas and bathrooms available.  Entrance into the park is 4.00 per car for parking, although this varies depending on who is working.  

Pelicans are abundant on Isla de Cabra

The area is very lovely, with fantastic views of El Morro, Old San Juan and large cargo ships going in and out of harbour.  What I found most fasinating were the pelicans, who spent the entire day flying, and diving for food. 





On Sunday, I went once again to Old San Juan, and got some great pictures of the Cristo Chapel in Palomas Park.  Hoping this week to get the sketches and photos into one well composed painting. 

Cristo Chapel by Palomas Parque

Also, did the drawing assignment for draw, sketch, doodle which was to draw something round.  Right now I am engrossed with waterdrops.  Such simple shapes and designs and so hard to realistically capture.  I also thought it would be fun to do my drawing on ATC 3 1/2 X 2 1/2.....I like working with the small sizes - not sure why, just find it fulfiling. 

Drops of Rain - graphite 3 1/2 x 2 1/2

That's it . . . this week, will be busy for me.  Water Color Society paint out on the beach on Wednesday, and then getting ready for a visit from my Stepdaughter for 10 days.  Hoping to get her involved with the Art adventure too, but will have to see. . .

Tis Spring - Flower Drawing Assignment . . .

Okay - so we don't really have seasonal change here . . . however, for those of us who live in Puerto Rico, we can tell the difference between Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall as slight as those differences might be. 

Since I really don't have a choice of tulips, crocus, snowdrops and daffodils, I drew the flower that is most readily accessible to me - the Orchid.  This was an enjoyable assignment - nice and easy and fun. 

I am looking forward to drawing and painting at Isla de Cabras - it is always a good day when you can get outside, enjoy the sunshine and fresh air, and hopefully I will get some great pictures drawn and sketched. 

Orchid - Graphite Pencil

New Drawings

I have been working on a couple of large pieces which aren't ready yet.  One is a close up shot of a pink rose. . . just haven't had the time to get much done.  I have also been creating lots of ATC's. . .

Yesterday did an exercise on value.  First I setup my model - which was an apple with only one light source.  I ended up loving this picture, and I think I am going to end up painting it in full color.  After taking several pictures and spending at least an hour editing my picture, I did a quick pencil sketch only trying to depict the value range of the apple.  I was looking for four values - light, medium light, medium dark, dark.  I started by laying in the medium light first, which pretty much dictated where the white would be.  Next I darkened up some of my shadows on the back of the apple and around the background, leaving the darkest value for the shadow behind the apple (the cast shadow). 

The next step was to do a monochromatic painting of the apple only trying to capture the value variances. 

My husband liked the pencil drawing better than the watercolor - but he is missing the point. . . the idea was to capture the darks and lights, and I think I accomplished that.  The last step of course will be to do a full drawing of the apple, relying on the picture, the sketch and of course the value painting.  .  .  more to come!  Firday it is off to Isla de Cabras (Goat Island) for painting. 

Back Again . . .

CASA BAVARIA

It has been a while since I have posted, but life has been hectic and crazy.  My hubby has had a severe case of shingles on his face and around his eye.  My life was consumed with being a caretaker, cleaning, cooking, and taking care of the dog.  Fortunately, he is much, much better and is returning to work tomorrow!!!!  He does still look a bit like Cuasimodo, but he is My Cuasimodo and I love him. 

View from the Restaurant

The weekend before Valentine's Day, my love wanted to take me out for a surprise.  So, we got into the car on a beautiful Saturday morning and headed into the mountains of Puerto Rico.  After about an hour drive we were in a small town called Morovis.  The bamboo covered road winds through the mountains, the views are spectacular.  All of a sudden, out of nowhere, a restuarant pops up, and we pull over. . . we have arrived at our destination.  CASA BAVARIA!!!  Thats right, a little taste of Europe right in the mountains of Puerto Rico. 

German/Puerto Rican Waitresses

The entire restaurant is setup into many levels of open patios, with a big tree growing in the middle of the all the levels.  All of the waitresses are dressed in dirndl dresses.  As far as food goes, there was a nice selection of German food and beer.  Carlos and I ended up eating Schnitzl and Roulade.  We bought big beer steins for 10.00 each and then filled them with import German beer for 2.00.  The portions were large and the food was excellent.  For those people not into German fare, the typical selections of Puerto Rican food is available.  Although Germany has many wonderful tarts and pasteries, Casa Bavaria was definitely lacking in the area of desseert, with the only option being Flan or Tres Leches (definitely neither are German.)  My suggestion, skip the dessert and spend the money on the beer mugs and beer!! 

Schnitzl and Roulade

After a long lunch, we drove on into the mountains of Orcovis, which just a wonderful, quaint artisian town.  It was a beautiful day, and I highly recommend visiting Casa Bavaria in Puerto Rico!!! 

Cheers