WATERBABY'S CIRCUS

In Brazil

2010-05-08T17:57:00.000-07:00

Yes, it has been awhile. Nearly three months in Brazil, where it isn't always samba and sunshine. Winter storms, mindboggling bureaucracy, and a public transportation system that doesn't always go where you want to go; everything seems to take at least twice as long as it should. It all balances out though. There's lots of great stuff too.

Like the art supply store and gallery that's not far from me here, Arte Cedraz. I've met some wonderful artists that I paint with every Friday. I decided to leave my watercolors back in the States this time, since it appears no one in this area works in this medium and quality paints and paper are hard to find. So it's been acrylics for awhile. The painting above was a small warm-up piece I did there. This represents a fairly typical rural scene, more commonly seen in the interior states like Minas Gerais.

Happy End to 2009!

2010-01-06T11:24:00.000-08:00

Aaaaaaaaaaaah . . . . That's just me heaving a great big sigh of relief. Even though I know that that year-end blitz of too-much-to-do, too-little-time is coming, and try to downsize and minimize the stress factors, I still get caught up in it. Cards never got sent, packages didn't get mailed til after Christmas (it's in the mail, no really, you know how the Post Office is), and now I want to finish decorating, while everyone around me has all their assorted holiday crappage thrown out/packed away/put out on the curb. I guess I just move to a different (slower) beat.

On a lighter note, after two months of eating like a sumo wrestler caught in a burning marijuana-field downdraft, I've lost three pounds since Sunday, after starting to eat more sensibly. No ice cream, no cookies. No white flour stuff, pasta, pizza. Just wanna lose another seven pounds. Time to get in shape for the annual migration to Brazil. Gotta dust off the old bikini. Figuratively speaking, of course.

Art wise, I've followed through on the landscape paintings I started a few months ago painting on location in California's wine country. Sadly, not doing any plein air work since then, you know how I hate these cold, dark, damp days.

Off Bennett Lane
Acrylic, 11x14

The above painting was the last to be completed, and it is currently hanging in the Oakland Art Association's show at the Rockridge Library in Oakland. I was extremely pleased to be awarded an Honorable Mention for it, the competition was tough. I feel it took a few trips and a few other paintings to arrive here, and I'm so looking forward to painting in the vineyards again in 2010. I want to wish a belated (of course) Happy New Year to everyone - family, friends, and fans! Here's to a better year to come!

Possum's Christmas

2009-12-08T16:20:00.000-08:00

At Stege Slough

2009-12-05T19:26:00.000-08:00

Acrylic, 4x10"

This is a small piece I did over the summer. The Bay Trail runs along the east side of the San Francisco Bay, and this part of it lies between Berkeley and Richmond. The marshy area has been pretty much restored and is home to all kinds of birds and other things that like Bay wetlands. I miss the warm weather, I want to go outside and paint.

Calistoga Plein Aire, Image Re-do

2009-11-09T12:01:00.001-08:00

Acrylics, 11x14

I've been painting for the past few weeks around Calistoga, known for its hot springs, mineral water, and vineyards. The weather has been beautiful, sometimes with morning fog, but always clearing to warm, sunny afternoons. The coastal hills protect this wonderful valley from the Pacific ocean, and fall seems to linger just a little longer, inviting tourists (as well as artists) from all over the world to tour the wineries and linger in the tasting rooms.

This small painting is a preliminary to a larger 16x20" piece. I think I like the composition, but I might warm it up just a bit. We'll see.

Same painting as previously posted, but image by a professional: Dana Davis Photography in Oakland. Huge difference, thanks, Dana.

Wordless Wednesday: Ready for Harvest

2009-11-04T12:59:00.000-08:00

It's Cabo Time!

2009-10-23T19:12:00.001-07:00

The annual jaunt to Mexico is going smoothly, Hurricane Rick made his threat and passed on, fizzling out into a "tropical depression". Glad I didn't do something sensible like cancel. Sometimes my gut instincts are right though mostly they just get me into trouble.

There were clouds and light sprinkles when we touched down late Monday afternoon. The wind picked up in the night, and waves were crashing. Sandbags were waiting just in case, and in the morning, there wasn't a surfer or jetskier to be seen. Not even a cruise ship. I stayed inside, tracking the storm, catching up on some reading. More showers off and on, by Wednesday, it appeared that Cabo was out of Rick's path and bits of sky were appearing. But the storm had left Cabo with colors I hadn't seen here before: the clouds were purpley, and the water ranged from ultramarine blue to turquoise to almost a citrine green. And Cabo's famous rocks, instead of being rock-colored, had a blanket of green, thanks to the rain.

The Bear Pantry

2009-10-20T12:36:00.000-07:00

Some of you may know I have a daughter in her senior year at UC Berkeley. She and her two kids have been living at UC Village, a housing complex for student families. So she's been in a position to know firsthand how difficult it can be to have to juggle not only your classes and studying and working but also the needs of a family. And she knows what disasters can happen when things like paperwork and computer records get fouled up and a student loan payment or grant doesn't arrive when expected. Then if student fees, including rent, aren't current, you can't sign up for the classes you need to be a full time student to qualify you for your next loan disbursement, and - then what? So many problems to get through, so much frustration and stress, but especially so if children are in the picture. Sometimes all you needed was to make it through another week, but how?

Until just recently there was no safety net for these little emergencies that happened too frequently. Many of the students themselves are from low-income families not in a position to offer much help. And while the University's top officials paid themselves sinfully fat paychecks, there was nothing to help the most struggling of struggling students. So my daughter, being her mother's daughter, came up with a plan.

She designed a proposal that has turned into an ongoing project. Since the California Bear is UC's mascot, she tagged this project "The Bear Pantry", recruited volunteers to help locate, collect and stockpile enough food to get student families over the hump. Contributions and a dedicated storage space were solicited and found. Protocols and guidelines were set down, a website and even a PayPal account established for donations. And finally, the Bear Pantry opened for business.

Click here to see it. And check out that cute Mama Bear and Baby Bear logo; I'd like to take credit for it, but she came up with that too.

Plein Aire at Blake Garden

2009-10-18T15:02:00.000-07:00

Just a quick sketch from the Blake Estate garden last week. A foggy day, muted colors, sketched with a non-waterproof pen. Kind of gave it a rained on look.

Chamber of Commerce Award (Woo Hoo!) at ECAA Show

2009-10-13T12:28:00.000-07:00

Teasels in Fall
Watercolor, 24x30"

The El Cerrito Art Association's Annual Show went off without a hitch last weekend, with a record number of entries and healthy sales. The above watercolor was recognized by the El Cerrito Chamber of Commerce with a very nice award. I'm so happy, because this one was a struggle and almost went into the recycling bin. But as other artists have noted, the process of creating your work is similar to raising kids, in that there's a really ugly phase they put you through before you can see the fruits of your labors. So glad I stuck with it!

Then, another surprise - a Second Place in the Acrylics division for one of my plein aire paintings! This one:

Kellers Beach
Acrylic, 11x14"

Too much good stuff! And it only got better - this one sold. Sorry to see it go, but there's more where that came from! The past two weekends have found me out painting in the Napa Valley wine country and I'll be there again this Saturday. The fall colors in the vinyards are gorgeous with the leaves turning and grapes ripe on the vines. See you there!

Why Rio?

2009-10-05T20:24:00.000-07:00

Sorry, Chicago, and everyone else. But how can you compete with this?

All Ready for the Show!

2009-10-01T12:58:00.000-07:00

El Cerrito
Art Association
33rd Annual Art Show & Sale

Reception & Meet the Artists

Friday, October 2, 2009 7:00-10:00 pm
Champagne will be served
Art exhibit and sales

Saturday, October 3 12:00-7:30 p.m.
Sunday, October 4 10:00-4:00 p.m.

El Cerrito Community Center
7007 Moeser Lane in El Cerrito, CA

I'll be showing my acrylics:

as well as three new watercolors.

I'll virtually see you at the reception!

Wordless Wednesday: Rude Lulu

2009-09-30T10:11:00.001-07:00

St. Mary's Church, Nicasio, California

2009-09-25T09:57:00.000-07:00

Yes, I have been remiss in my postings lately. But for good reason. I've been painting my tailfeathers off! As well as matting, framing, hanging and everything else that goes with it. I'm finishing up 6 pieces (3 watercolor and 3 acrylic) that will go into the annual El Cerrito Art Show & Sale next weekend, and now have paintings hanging at Jack London Square, Oakland, the El Cerrito Dept. of Motor Vehicles (a captive audience for sure), and at the Oakland Chamber of Commerce. And trying to squeeze in some actual painting once in a while. So this was one I did over the summer:

Acrylic, 11x14"

This little church is the first thing you see as you come into the tiny town of Nicasio in Marin County,located about a halfhour drive north of San Francisco. It's a favorite of artists of all media, a scene that probably hasn't changed all that much in the past hundred years.

And We Have a Winner

2009-09-04T11:06:00.000-07:00

At China Camp

Acrylic, 11x14"

So I've been doing a bit of plein air painting over the summer, both in watercolor and acrylics. When I returned to China Camp on the San Francisco Bay, it was only with the intention to continue learning how to handle acrylics, but after many hours of struggle, the painting above began to take shape. So much so that I decided to frame the resulting small exercise, and then submitted it into a show.

Imagine my shock when I learned it had won first place in the acrylics division at the Napa Town & Country Fair! It looks like there's no turning back now. Onward!

Camping at Scotts Flat Lake, Nevada City

2009-09-01T13:07:00.000-07:00

Here we are, enjoying the end of summer vacation before school starts for all of us. Koko and Jasmine and Lily are in the water on their floaties. Poor Auntie M will have to go back to work for another year - feh! She's the one that looks washed up on the shore. Camping takes a lot out of you!

Camping Sketches, Watercolor & Ink

2009-08-28T14:08:00.000-07:00

The annual camping trip happened last week. Every year, my sister and I go camping, accompanied by various children, grandchildren, friends and occasionally a husband/boyfriend. But mostly it's just us girls. And always it involves some kind of water to play in. This year we went to Scotts Flat Lake Campground in California. Hot, lots of trees and wildlife. Besides the usual birds and grey squirrels and ground squirrels, we saw deer and ducks and geese. The best part was the night that a baby bear ransacked our coolers and got away with some of our food. The worst part was he got into the Hershey's chocolate bars! Luckily, he either got scared off by my sister waking up, or he just had his fill and left, leaving a trail of food into the woods. We found most of the box of chocolate the next morning, but some bars were so full of disgusting bear slobber they were beyond being salvaged.

The stump sketch above is posted especially for an artist whose blog today also includes some stump art, but on a much more sophisticated level. If you haven't heard of Cathy Johnson, she is a wonderful artist and blogger and is generously offering her CD today to the first 50 people who leave a comment. Check it out at www.cathyjohnsonart.blogspot.com.

Wordless Wednesday - Waterbabies' Circus

2009-08-26T12:33:00.000-07:00

Painting en Plein Air in Washington

2009-08-25T17:56:00.000-07:00

Sunrise Beach Park, Gig Harbor, WA

8"x8", Acrylics

When I went to Washington a few weeks ago, I looked for artists who also liked plein air painting, and after a few googles, discovered there was a group located very close to where I was staying on Fox Island: the Peninsula Art League. Anne Knapp let me know that members would probably be at Sunrise Beach Park, located a little to the northeast of Gig Harbor.

Although the weather was unusually hot, I found a cool place to sit under a tree that gave me a great view across to Vashon Island. I really enjoyed my first visit to Washington and look forward to next time.

Stewart Ranch Barn, Napa

2009-08-14T15:12:00.000-07:00

Acrylics, 8"x8"

Sitting across the road from this ranch on a sunny California day, painting plein air. I wanted to add some of the great oreo cows they have at this ranch, except my cows look more like dogs, and vice-versa.

Wordless Wednesday

2009-08-12T17:08:00.001-07:00

At Moonshine Campground

Visiting Seattle, Notes and Sketches

2009-08-10T11:50:00.000-07:00

Last week while I was in Washington, we took the ferry from Bremerton to Seattle. It moves along pretty quick, so my sketches had to be fast too. Spent a few hours in the Seattle Art Museum. Would have liked to loiter a bit longer, but there was still a stop planned for Pike Place Market. Too much good stuff to see there, but the day was moving to a close.
So we decided to stop a few blocks away at the Ipanema Grill for a caipirinha (the official cocktail of Brazil) and appetizers before catching the ferry back. You know I love my caipirinhas! Just one complaint though. They make them the Martha Stewart way, using simple syrup instead of plain sugar. Feh! It's just not the same without that gritty undissolved sugar at the bottom of the glass. Then back to the ferry to Bremerton. A very good day!

Wordless Wednesday

2009-08-05T14:04:00.000-07:00

Nene'

P.S. You can vote for me in the Animal Rescue Site's Cutest Cat Contest by clicking on Nene's photo above. Help out our furry friends!

Sketch, Watercolor, Pen & Ink, Port Townsend, WA

2009-08-04T17:59:00.000-07:00

I've been visiting my friend Abby this past week. She moved to Fox Island, Washington a couple years back and this was my first time seeing not only her beeyootiful home, but also a bit of the state of Washington. She took me for a whirlwind tour that included not only Fox Island, but also Gig Harbor, the Hood Canal, Sequim, Port Townsend, Bremerton, Tacoma, Seattle, and much more! I squeezed in some time for a few sketches. The view above is of an old pier near where we stopped for a snack on the deck of the Nifty Fifty's Soda Fountain. The weather was mostly in the 90's during the week, so I enjoyed being out of the foggy Bay Area for awhile.

The Big Reveal

2009-07-26T20:20:00.001-07:00

Acrylic, 11x14 inches

So, I know you've been waiting with baited breath (ew). Bated breath? Whatever. Why there haven't been any new paintings here, and only a few sketches, is because I've been secretly experimenting with a different medium. For the past few weeks I've set the watercolors aside and tried to make acrylics behave. Well of course, they don't. But now that I've finally stopped treating them like watercolors, I see some limited success.

I signed up for a series of plein-air classes with Deirdre Shibano and made a commitment to at least give it a try. The first few classes were awful, not the classes per se, but because I couldn't figure out how to approach the darn canvas. Plus, the acrylics en plein air dried quickly, and I was frustrated by having to unlearn how to do the flowing washes and transparent layers of watercolor. I likened my first day's experience to pushing wads of bubblegum around with a stick.

While I won't go so far as to say I've fallen in love with acrylics, I'm finding them interesting enough that I think I'll enroll in an acrylics class during the fall semester. Assuming the classes will still exist after California's budget cuts. Cuts nothing - more like decapitations, eviscerations, and amputations. But, I rant.

Above is the same view of Keller Beach as in the previous post obviously. But I did the Moleskin sketch afterwards, then studied the lights and darks and patterns to tweak the painting. The tweaking is one of the parts of acrylics I'm liking. I've got a few more to post, but I promised to exhibit them and didn't have time for scanning or even photos, but they'll be showing up. I'll be visiting in Washington near Gig Harbor this coming week, so I'll see what air travel with acrylics is like. Going to check out the local plein air scene and visit some galleries. Later . . . .

Keller Beach, Pen & Ink w/ Watercolor

2009-07-23T12:04:00.000-07:00

Plein-air sketch of Keller Beach last week. This little pocket beach is on the eastern shore of the San Francisco Bay, the contra costa. With a sheltered western exposure, the shallow water and sand stay warm when areas ten minutes away are foggy and cold. In case you didn't already know, I consider anything much less than 75 degrees to be miserable weather.

I first discovered Keller Beach some twenty-something years ago when I worked a few minutes away in downtown Richmond. The Friday potluck lunch hours became an office tradition during the summer, with the doggies on the grill, tater salad, and a tall cool one to wash it all down. Good eats! Then back to work. Or at least, to try to stay awake til it was quittin' time!

Googling around for more info on this spot, I discovered a Pt. Richmond newsletter that provided a little local history and old photos, as well as an image of an old Gary Carter watercolor showing Keller Beach's old fishing pier.

Plein air Watercolor Sketch, at Indian Rock, Berkeley

2009-07-20T09:39:00.001-07:00

You know how it is, tourists and other out-of-towners often visit places that are right in your own virtual backyard, places you take for granted. But somehow you never quite get around to seeing them. Such was the case with Indian Rock in Berkeley. I must have driven by within a block of it a thousand times, vaguely knowing it was there somewhere, never curious enough to check it out. Kind of like your fourth toenail on your left foot. You know it's there, but unless it's called to your attention in some way, you're content to just let it be.

Thanks to my plein air group, Indian Rock was called to my attention. The sketch above represents just a small bit of the much larger chunks of granite found on over an acre of park in the Berkeley hills. For years, rock climbers have practiced their skills there, along with courting couples, underage drinkers, and the occasional sketcher.

23rd World Wide Sketchcrawl, July 11, 2009

2009-07-11T19:59:00.000-07:00

Yes! Today the local Sketchcrawl took place in San Francisco at the Presidio. This is an event that takes place every three months all over the world, well, not everywhere, only in about 90 countries. The last time, I was in Brazil, so this was my first in San Francisco. From the Presidio, the views are fantastic, everywhere you turn. A good time! To see more results, click here.

Dreary China Camp Sketch

2009-07-10T11:30:00.001-07:00

Our plein-air group returned to a favorite spot in Marin County, China Camp. We were joined by kayakers, sunbathers, and a fair amount of guys on bikes taking a break from the surrounding trails. A windy day, so just a quick sketch in the Moleskine.

Watercolor & Ink Sketch, Lake Anza

2009-07-06T19:13:00.000-07:00

Another foggy summer day in the Bay Area, but I went to the lake anyway. With school out for summer, the lake is now crowded with kids and moms and occasional dads whether it's sunny or not. The view above is looking across the lake to the non-swimming side. I'm still exploring the possibilities of my new Moleskine watercolor sketchbook, but I find it works great for making smooth washes.

Lily Pond at Blake Garden, Kensington, CA

2009-06-27T19:35:00.000-07:00

Blake Garden in Kensington is a popular spot for plein-air freaks like me, with over ten acres of ever-changing gardens to paint. The water lilies are really beautiful right now, and I'm afraid I didn't do them justice. Above is a piece of a watercolor that began ambitiously enough, only to suffer a severe cropping when things didn't go as planned, what with some paths leading nowhere, a planted terracotta pot smack in the middle of the piece, and a vague tree-like presence looming above it all. I often fall into the trap of including everything I see in front of me while I'm painting plein-air. Need to develop the discipline of more preliminary sketches.

Gazebo at Dunsmuir House

2009-06-20T16:12:00.001-07:00

Photo Courtesy of Dunsmuir Historic Estate

Gazebo at Dunsmuir House

Watercolor, 11"x14"

Last week's plein-air setting was the Dunsmuir House and gardens in Oakland. Even though I'd grown up in East Oakland, this was the first time I had been to see this beautiful estate since it hasn't been open to the public until fairly recently. The house, I should say mansion, is spectacular, and the grounds are just beautiful. You can almost imagine how it may have been 100 years ago if you can manage to block out the sound of the 580 freeway just over the hill. While we were there, friendly ducks came looking for handouts, and a flock of wild turkeys strolled leisurely through. I even spotted three deer. I chose to paint the gazebo, thinking it would be easier than tackling the mansion. Well, it might have been easier, but it wasn't easy.

Sketch at Lake Anza

2009-06-16T12:15:00.000-07:00

Lake Anza, June 14, 2009

Sunday at the lake seemed a perfect opportunity to try out my new Moleskine Watercolour Notebook. The weather was sunny, if a bit windy, and I found someone sitting still for a while. Compared to the rough, unsized paper in my last sketchbook, the Moleskine is a dream and I look forward to using it.

Lazy Caturday

2009-06-13T10:34:00.000-07:00

Watercolor Plein-Air, Lake Anza

2009-06-05T13:31:00.000-07:00

Lake Anza

Watercolor, 5"x8"

I have been coming to Lake Anza for as long as I can remember. It is part of Tilden Regional Park, just east of Berkeley. Though this small beach looks deserted now, once school is out for the summer it will be jampacked with kids and parents. Probably even more than usual, since California will be closing most State Parks due to slashed budgets. Tilden, as part of the East Bay Regional Park District will not be affected. But for right now, the ducks and minnows, dogs and their walkers, and the occasional painter can all enjoy the calm of a foggy morning.

San Pablo Yacht Harbor Watercolor Sketch

2009-06-05T12:23:00.000-07:00

Last week my plein-air group went to this funky old yacht harbor, located to the northeast of San Francisco Bay. Although the skies were overcast and the breeze was nippy, it was a good day. I liked this old barge stuck in the mud, so I thought I'd give it a try. Here's what the Center for Land Use Interpretation has to say about San Pablo Yacht Harbor:

"A remote, scrappy residential marina on Point San Pablo. Off the coast of the yacht harbor is the hulk of an old steamer, sunk for the filming of the John Wayne film Blood Alley in 1955 (the film also shot at China Camp, across the bay). The breakwater protecting the marina was made by sinking six schooners and a ferry boat."

I'll have to check out that movie!

Watercolor, Auntie M's House, Grass Valley

2009-05-25T15:52:00.000-07:00

I visited my younger (and only) sister over the weekend in Grass Valley. She has a green thumb, although she tries to deny it; but she actually waters and feeds her plants. The weather was balmy, which I fully appreciated, coming from the gray, overcast Bay Area.

Holiday traffic meant I arrived late, then had to leave early the following day, so I didn't get any painting time in. I wanted to do a watercolor plein air sketch of her house, but had to settle for taking a few snapshots to work from once I got back home. I think I figured out how to deal with the problem I've been having with the sketchbook paper. Unsized paper soaks up water and watercolor pigment like a sponge, so no blending on the paper, or lifting color out is possible. So I painted on a thin layer of acrylic medium first, then let it dry. This slightly sealed the paper's surface, and let the paint slide on. Now that I have just one page left in this sketchbook, I've solved the problem!

Watercolor Plein Air at Berkeley Rose Garden

2009-05-22T20:44:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I go out and paint outside (plein air). Most Thursdays when the weather is good enough, a loosely organized bunch of us meet to draw or paint or take photos. Usually in or around the El Cerrito/Berkeley area. Last week the Rose Garden in the Berkeley hills was our site. The roses are in bloom and San Francisco, the Golden Gate Bridge and Mt. Tamalpais in the background gave us a lot to choose from. This is a rose arbor with Mt. Tam in the upper right. I'm not real happy with it, but it's way better than last year's attempt. (The original is not so blue-ish.)

Mothers Day Flowers

2009-05-19T13:26:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Jana Bouc's and Terry Banderas' flower paintings for the virtual kick-in-the-pants to get me painting again. Coming back after spending three months in Brazil has been a shock to my delicate system. But having painting friends here cheers me up and inspires me. Gotta go paint something!

Watercolor sketch, Arembepe, Brazil

2009-04-27T08:35:00.001-07:00

Caught the bus up the coast to the little town of Arembepe. This has been a little fishing village for a long time, but gained fame when Janis Joplin among others 'discovered' it back in the day. It is still a fishing village, but there are now a number of restaurants, hotels and pousadas for the tourists. Nice relaxing getaway.

Caturday - The Easter Kitty!

2009-04-18T05:59:00.000-07:00

Mercer survives yet another Easter. Good thing cats know no shame.

Sketchcrawl in Brazil

2009-04-15T07:37:00.000-07:00

Well, I did it! I've searched and searched in Salvador for others to participate in this international day of sketching, but found no one else. So - I did it by myself. I went to the Cantina da Lua restaurant in Salvador and then did a street scene closeby. Ink with watercolor.

ACEO for Wordless Wednesday

2009-04-08T08:12:00.001-07:00

Watercolor Sketch Abandoned Building in Bahia

2009-03-30T07:00:00.001-07:00

There's a neighborhood in the old part of Bahia called "2 de Julho". It's old and funky and has a lot of falling down buildings, some inhabited and some not. I finally found a small art supply store here that carries a few watercolor items, like Cotman watercolors. But also some Maimeri. The small supply of Canson paper is ridiculously expensive, and there's a limited selection of poor quality brushes. Everything is imported, so the cost is quite prohibitive for the average Brasilian. I still haven't found any other watercolorists here, and the owners of the store couldn't refer me to any clubs or organizations.

So after I bought a few tubes of paint, I wandered down a sidestreet and stopped to do a quickdraw of this old building. The windows are all bricked up, there's no telling how long since it's been lived in. Sad to see all these once-beautiful old mansions. But I can't get carried away feeling bad that there's no one with the desire and/or money to rescue them; it doesn't appear there's much desire and/or money to rescue the inhabitants either. If I ruled the world, I'd fix both.

Forte Sao Marcelo, Salvador

2009-03-23T14:44:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I went to visit a very old fort that was built to protect the city of Salvador, Bahia in Brazil. I didn't have my camera and there wasn't an opportunity to sketch. Today I found this old photo of the fort online. Other photos of old Bahia are at this link.

There isn't a date but I'm guessing it was taken in the '40s or '50s, judging from the clothes. The fort itself is that oval-shaped structure in the upper righthand corner. It has only been the last couple of years that it has been open for tours, following a major recuperation. The different levels and curves and angles make it a very interesting place to sketch, even if historical landmarks aren't your thing. I hope to get back with more time and my sketchbook.

Yellow

2009-03-22T04:23:00.000-07:00

OK, it's a repeat, but it's still YELLOW! These yellow flowers grow near my veranda and all over here in Salvador. First I painted one, then took a picture.

Caturday, Mar. 21

2009-03-21T16:27:00.000-07:00

Nene' had a friend over for dinner. It did not end well for the friend.

Watercolor & Ink Sketch of My House in Brazil

2009-03-20T06:30:00.000-07:00

The house on the left behind the wall is where I've been for the last two months. A lot of work is going on behind that wall: plumbing repairs, patching and plastering walls, cleaning up a huge lot that was badly overrun with weeds, replacing broken and worn out ceiling fans and showers, getting the microwave and TVs repaired, adding a laundry sink in back, and an outside shower in front . . . . The list is endless. It's a great old beach house, but it's suffered from years of neglect. And anyone who's lived close to the sea knows how salt air damages just about everything. So that's my excuse anyway for not painting more often and/or posting. Not that I'm doing it all myself, but still, it's a huge time-suck.

Oooh! And doing it all in tropical heat with no car! OMG! The horror! Would I rather be back in the winter of my American discontent? Not freakin' likely!!!

Wordless Wednesday

2009-03-11T14:29:00.000-07:00

Watercolor Sketch Barraca on Ipitanga Beach

2009-03-10T12:11:00.000-07:00

Caturday

2009-03-07T07:04:00.000-08:00

Slamming Door, Sleeping Cat

Watercolor Cactus Flowers

2009-03-02T07:22:00.000-08:00

I miss painting the usual spring flowers like tulips and magnolias, so I paint what's here, in this case some cactus flowers. There are a lot around here I guess because they make great natural security fences. I know. I got too close taking some pictures. Nasty little stickers attach themselves to everything that gets too close. And have hideous little barbs on the ends that won't allow you to simply pluck them from your skin.

This is watercolor in my sketchbook, then photo'd with my Panasonic. I have trouble with the light here in Brasil - it's bright and tropical, even early in the morning. Glaring actually. So a lot of colors just wash out. The flash of course does the same thing. Indirect interior lighting is too weak. So the actual painting values and colors are probably somewhere in between these two images.

Wordless Wednesday: TOQUINHO

2009-02-26T10:07:00.000-08:00

Quick Sketches

2009-02-18T06:33:00.000-08:00

Just practice. Still trying to get that darn cat!

Watercolor Sketch of Baiana Selling Acaraje'

2009-02-18T06:14:00.000-08:00

A Baiana is a woman from Bahia in Brazil. This Baiana is one of many who dresses in traditional clothes and sells tasty treats known as acaraje', basically a fastfood made of blackeyed pea dough and cooked in heated palm oil. It comes out hot and crunchy and is then cut open and stuffed with your choice of cooked shrimp, a dab of hot sauce, and various accompaniments. Wash it down with an icy beer. Mmmmmmm!

Margareth Menezes at the Catussaba Resort Hotel

2009-02-18T05:23:00.000-08:00

I went to see a show last week with Margareth Menezes. It was at the Catussaba Resort Hotel. It was a great show and included an enormous and tasty feijoada buffet. My camera at this point was out of batteries and I couldn't really do much before it completely died. So click here for a much better picture.

If you or maybe someone you know wants to visit Salvador for the first time, doesn't speak Portuguese, and has the bucks (it ain't cheap), the Catussaba is the place to go. And for more about Margareth Menezes and Carnaval 2009, go to her site.

Yellow Flower Sketch

2009-02-18T05:20:00.000-08:00

The View

2009-02-18T05:04:00.000-08:00

Too lazy to even go look for something to draw. If I lie in the hammock on the veranda, this is what I see.

Caturday, Feb.14

2009-02-18T04:58:00.000-08:00

My apologies to cats everywhere, and especially to Nene'. Someday I'll learn how to draw a cat.

Iemanja'

2009-02-10T05:19:00.000-08:00

I painted this watercolor a few years ago. If I remember right, the original size is 18"x24". The painting was copied professionally, even so, the camera does not pick up the iridescent paints I used on her crown and mirror and tail.

Iemanja' the goddess (or orixa') of salt water, was brought to the so-called New World via the slave trade, and is often addressed in the Yoruba language of west Africa. The next time you go to the beach and put your feet in the water, you can greet her with her customary greeting if you like: Odoia'!

Praia do Forte

2009-02-09T11:33:00.000-08:00

Last week, I took a bus to what used to be a small fishing village north of here named Praia do Forte. There are still fishermen and their boats here, but now it is probably better known as a sanctuary and ecological project where sea turtles are protected. In addition to the project, known as TAMAR, tourism is expanding. Tourists come from all over the world as well as from within Brazil. Several species of turtles were endangered, due to being hunted for food, as well as being caught in nets and otherwise threatened. Find out more about Praia do Forte by clicking here.

The above watercolor and ink sketch is of a typical small house there on one of the sidestreets. Many have been replaced by the eco-tourism industry with hotels, restaurants and shops. Not that that's an entirely bad thing, because awareness as well as money is raised to further this work.

Caturday

2009-02-07T08:12:00.000-08:00

Featuring my Brazilian furry baby, Nene'. She was tossed over the wall into my yard by a mean person when she was tiny and very scared. Or maybe someone who couldn't keep her and knew she'd find a happy home here. She has turned into a beautiful young lady cat. She is an excellent huntress, and doesn't permit creepy critters into the house, an added bonus.

Festa Followup

2009-02-06T16:11:00.000-08:00

The Second of February has come and gone, and images similar to this are, sadly, a common site along the beaches of Bahia. Gifts of flowers to Iemanja, the Queen of the Seas, were sent into the water, along with pretty trinkets, combs, mirrors, in hopes these offerings and petitions, as well as occasional thanks, would be accepted. Sadly for some, not all were.
I really wanted to go to the Paciencia beach, the most popular and largest site where the religious and secular celebrations take place. Alas, not to be, I was stuck at home waiting all day for an important phone call, which didn't even come. Oh well, maybe next year.

A Mermaid Named Iemanja

2009-01-29T20:17:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow is the day I catch the plane and fly away. I will go to Brazil where I will spend three months in Salvador, Bahia. I'll be arriving just in time for one of the largest celebrations there, the Festa de Iemanja. This goddess is known in Africa, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and other countries, and by various names. She is the Goddess of the Sea, and well-loved in the port city of Salvador. Her image is seen all over, as a sign of devotion, or decoration, even in advertising. I'll be looking for and collecting more images. I'll try to paint a bit while I'm there, but the ocean is close by, and distractions are rampant. So we'll see . . . .

Brussels Sprouts Anyone?

2009-01-26T15:45:00.000-08:00

A small bit of a larger still life setup, just a quick sketch of some humble sprouts. ACEO size, 2.5 x 3.5 inches.

Friday's Sketch

2009-01-26T15:29:00.000-08:00

A drooping Gerbera daisy, ACEO size (3.5"x2.5"). WinsorNewton watercolors on Arches paper. No more time to start anything large, so ACEOs will have to do for now.

Wordless Wednesday

2009-01-21T22:16:00.001-08:00

Blings n Things

2009-01-20T15:18:00.000-08:00

Sometimes it's more fun to just watch them sparkle in the sunlight. Pretty pink glass beads, red Swarovski crystals, great Valentine's Day stuff. http://www.waterbabychristine.etsy.com

WaterbabyChristine's Etsy Shop

2009-01-20T13:16:00.000-08:00

Yes, it was bound to happen. I have opened a virtual store. Right now I am listing only earrings. I need to upload a lot more images and descriptions and I've decided to leave Watercolors and ACEOs for later - they will require more work. And I really don't care for the appearance of the banner at the top of the page, so that's also on the to-do list. So for the time being, Welcome to Waterbaby Christine's.

Camellia Watercolor ACEO with White Poinsettia

2009-01-18T19:03:00.000-08:00

Just a quick watercolor sketch of a garden variety camellia. 3 1/2" x 2 1/2" on Arches watercolor paper, with mostly Winsor Newton paints. Followed by a watercolor and black ink sketch of an off-white poinsettia I found today at the Buttercream Cafe. I'm getting better with the rough paper, but probably still a little heavyhanded with the pen. Looks a little darker than I would have liked.

Seedpod Watercolor, ACEO size, 2.5" x 3.5"

2009-01-17T13:09:00.000-08:00

I've seen these seedpods, but don't know the name of the plant they're from, or even what it looks like. Anybody? Anyway, it was so strange, I decided to sketch it using my new pen. Now that I know it definitely does not have permanent ink, I just put in the washes and form shapes, then after that's completely dry, I sketch over it. Thanks Terry B for the comment!

Daisy the Curly Cat Wins An Award!

2009-01-14T10:24:00.000-08:00

Daisy is really talented and has her own blog. I like to read it, but only when my Lulu can't see me, because she has jealousy issues. As well as separation anxiety. That's why I haven't told her yet that I'll be leaving for Brazil soon, and not taking her with me. I think it would be too hot there for an old girl in a fur coat. Shhhh.

On Telegraph Ave.

2009-01-13T15:29:00.000-08:00

Today was a really nice day considering it's January. Yes, I know we need the rain. But I still prefer sun. I gave my daughter a ride to her dentist appointment in Berkeley and had a cup of coffee while I waited for her. The bakery/coffee shop on Telegraph Avenue is no place I'd recommend - stale pastries, bad coffee, and the only charm in the place was in the plastic flowers on the table. Name? Who knows, I'll neither go back nor refer anyone to it. I should have walked a bit further to Cafe Med, my old hangout. It is somehow comforting to see that some things have not changed on the Ave.

But I wanted to try out my new Pilot pen, with the extra fine point. Well. Very disappointed. Even though I specifically asked when I bought it if the ink was waterproof, it was very much not so - the watercolor blurred the ink, giving the sunny day a dark and overcast look. And I still need to adjust to the rough paper. Guess I need to paint first, then draw. Anyway, the shops across the street in The Village do look a little more inviting in real life.

Christmas in Grass Valley (cont.)

2009-01-07T21:11:00.001-08:00

Hoodies and more hoodies appeared throughout Christmas day and into the evening to welcome back home, if only temporarily, their bud Nate. Hopefully, next visit home will be for keeps.

Christmas in Grass Valley

2008-12-30T12:16:00.000-08:00

This year the holidays were spent at my sister's home in Grass Valley, California in the Sierra foothills. Soft, fluffy snowflakes started falling right on cue. My sister got the best present ever - her son got a 24-hour home pass from the Judge. He has been a guest of the County since running afoul of The Law a year or so back. But that's a whole nother story.

The watercolor sketch was done in a 5x7 Artist's Book by Savoir Faire. Cotton rag paper, made in India. It's very difficult for me, since the pages are thin and very rough. Not good for detail at all. All my nephew's friends came to visit him. This sketch is some of them, huddled outside. I guess 45 degrees is considered warm when you're from around here. But I'll stay inside, thank you very much.

Book Your Trip to Brazil Now! Cheap Fares Available!

2008-12-24T14:59:00.000-08:00

I just learned about a fantastic promotion that American Airlines is having. For a short time only, they are offering roundtrip fares to Brazil for about half the regular price. If you had been planning, or just dreaming about, a trip to Salvador for Carnaval, this is it, but you'd better act now, at these prices seats will go fast. If you don't like trying to check and book online, call my favorite travel agency, Santours. Don't just take my word for it. Here's what Realtravel.com had to say about them.

A good travel agency to book your ticket through is Santini Tours, 6575 Shattuck Ave., Oakland, CA 94609 (tel. 800/769-9669 or 510/652-8600; www.santours.com). The owner as well as many of the travel agents are Brazilian and can give you many useful suggestions on air-pass routings and answer any questions you have about your itinerary. In addition to selling tickets and air passes, Santini can also arrange customized tours, including everything from airport transfers to sightseeing and guided tours.

If Joseph Santini isn't in, ask for Roberto, tell him Christine sent you. I already got mine, will be leaving the end of January. WOO HOO. I don't mind the cold so much right now. Tchau!

Stuck in the Cold

2008-12-20T15:02:00.000-08:00

Yes, sometimes both flamingos and waterbabies get stuck in the wrong place this time of year. These chilly birds and I will be at my sister's house in Grass Valley, California for the holidays. Assorted family members will be dropping in and out. Some will partake of the roast beest, others the roast vegetables. Who will get the prizes for being the Most Obnoxious, the Most Bah Humbug! Don't have to worry about the Most Under-the-influence on Christmas Day, cuz Cousin Nate will be out on a one-day pass, and we'll all be on our most substance-free behavior.

We'll be thankful that a bad year is ending soon, and while we've all suffered setbacks, none of us has lost a home. The lights will be on, we'll be warm, and there will be food on the table. If you can say the same, then kick in some bucks to your local Food Pantry or Salvation Army bell-ringer.

Now! In Your Language!

2008-12-16T14:25:00.000-08:00

I have added Google's translation gadget to my blog. This should help my non-English speaking readers to understand my posts, I hope. I have checked the Portuguese translation for the last blog, and yes, something is lost in the translation. I expect this will be true of other languages also, since these translations are not done by humans. Computers, even very smart ones, don't have a very good sense of humor. Irony is lost on them, as well as sarcasm. But this will be an experiment. I would really like responses so I can judge how well, or not, this translator is working. Maybe I'll just mess with the computer, just for laughs.

ACEOs and 'Bonde do Maluco'

2008-12-15T21:46:00.000-08:00

Pfew! I'm tired. The Holiday Show & Sale was a lot of work. (Muito trabalho!) But my art cards met with raves and enough sales to encourage me, so I'll be doing more. NO MORE SHOWS! Mais nada! For a while anyway. Time to get through Christmas, then gear up for Brazil and Carnaval. One of my favorite Carnaval groups: Bonde do Maluco. With a ridiculous little tune called: 'Pisa na Barata', or, in English, 'Step on the Cockroach'! Doesn't that just make you wanna get up and boogie? By way of 4shared, my newest favorite spot for finding Brazilian (and other) music.

http://www.4shared.com/file/74229397/a890822d/Bonde_Do_Maluco_-_Pisa_na_Barata.html

One of last year's favorites is a remake of Akon's "Nobody Wants to See Us Together", "Nao Vale Mais Chorar por Ele".

Uma vez, em portugues

2008-12-10T13:34:00.000-08:00

Aviso (Warning): Vou comecar incluir ums posts em portugues. (I'm going to start to include some posts in Portuguese.) Nao e todo mundo que fala ingles. (Not everyone speaks English.) Iai. Aqui se mostra um desenho das flores que se chama aqui nos estados unidos 'poinsettias'. Eu acho que tem o mesmo nome no Brasil, talvez Portugal tambem. Gostei de pintar assim, bem pequeno. Este imagen eu tirei com minha camera, marca Panasonic Lumix. Os imagens notados "ACEO" significa que o tamanho original e de 2.5" x 3.5". Nao sei exatamente qual e o tamanho em cm, mais em geral e o tamanho duma carta do baralho. Sao pintados usando tinta aquarela. ACEO e um acronimo = Art Cards Editions & Originals. Nao sei se tem isso no Brasil. Por favor, comenta se por acaso esta lendo isto em portugues. E disculpe os erros!

Get Small!

2008-12-10T12:01:00.000-08:00

I am doing a series of these small (3.5x2.5) paintings to put in our sale at the Giorgi Gallery this weekend. They are a lot of fun to do, I can see why they have turned into quite the fad! Now that the weather has turned too cold to go outside to paint 'plein air', I will sit in a cozy cafe instead and paint. Another advantage of small format: no easels, campstools, jugs of water to lug around! No insects buzzing in your ears, no dust and debris in your paint for unwanted texture. Feedback please?

Scary Snowmen ACEO paintings

2008-12-09T21:38:00.000-08:00

Each one of these somewhat spooky snowmen is a standard size Artist Trading Card (3.5" x 2.5") painted on 140#, 100% cotton watercolor paper with artist quality paints. See them and others at the Giorgi Gallery show this weekend, Dec. 13-14.

Holiday Arts & Crafts Sale

2008-12-09T21:12:00.000-08:00

Disregard the poor quality of the flier image (yet another reason to get that scanner going). And get to the Giorgi Gallery in Oakland this weekend, where you will find a fine collection of handmade gift items, jewelry, paintings, and cards. Relax, make your Holiday shopping a little easier. Browse with the artists and sample the tasty treats and refreshments you are not likely to find trolling the aisles at Costco. The Giorgi Gallery is located on Ashby Avenue in Berkeley at Claremont Avenue.

ACEOs for the Holidays

2008-12-07T14:16:00.000-08:00

Lately I've been painting tiny paintings that will be included in an exhibit and sale next weekend, Dec. 13-14. More about that later. Each one is trading card size (3.5 x 2.5). I was inspired to make these wintery scenes by a Canadian artist who sells his paintings on Etsy.com. Check Haywardart there to see his stuff, it's really wonderful. And yes, the images are still crap, because I haven't had time yet to continue searching for the driver I need to get my scanner running. But I've put it to good use anyway by placing my paintings on the scanner bed to take fotos (laughs cynically). Well, I'm going to go have coffee at the Buttercream, and work on some paintings while I'm there. Because it's so cold here in my house, my water's trying to freeze. Brrrrr.

Musica Brasileira, Dandara, & A Benefit

2008-12-05T14:04:00.000-08:00

Oi! Not only is Christmas and the New Year rapidly approaching, but even better, the biggest party in the world is gearing up. In a word: CARNAVAL! I've been remiss in including Brazilian stuff here, and I promise I'll be making up for it. One of the ways is to share info about Brazilian music. Some folks have noticed an addition on my front page about the music. Guess I caught some of you off guard. I have to admit I'm not one to rock the classics while I'm painting. A lot of people don't realize there's more to Brazilian music than samba, jazz and bossa nova. So I'll be dropping some current stuff, kind of a pre-Carnaval warmup.

Now, for those of you in the Bay Area, San Francisco Bay Area that is, here's a chance to check out some great live music and for a great cause. Tomorrow, Dec. 6, in Oakland there will be a live benefit show, DANDARA and OS GAROTOS HEADLINING !!! Who you ask? Click here to find out. For details, leave a comment. Time to get this party started!

Procrastination. P.R.O.C.R.A.S.T.I.N.A.T.I.O.N. Procrastination.

2008-12-02T13:15:00.000-08:00

Thank you, Jana, this clip from YouTube explains it all! And feeds my not-so-secret vice. The subtitle for today's blog might be: Why There Is No Art to Post Today.

First Attempt at an ACEO

2008-12-01T19:50:00.000-08:00

This was an experiment to see how my watercolors would translate to an ACEO format. Yes, the image is skewed. This was taken with my Panasonic camera and the watercolor paper wasn't as flat as I thought. I am working on getting a freebie scanner up and running. I know my blog images are really not what they could be and should be. But I digress.

The actual size of this painting is only 3 1/2 x 2 1/2 inches. Why this small you may ask? Because this is the only requirement for art to be called an ACEO. Click here to find out more information about what ACEOs are and how they came to be. What I'm finding out is that painting a small watercolor is every bit as challenging as painting a large one. When I think they are good enough, I'll be selling these in addition to my "normal" paintings. Watch out eBay here I come!

Help me get up on my soapbox

2008-11-20T13:53:00.000-08:00

I try not to let this blog turn into a rant about whatever random topic. and don't go into politics at either the local or national level. (YAY OBAMA!!) And when my friend Abby forwarded this to me, being the cynic I am, I went straight to Snopes to check it out. Lo and Behold. Here's what she has to share:

Sears - Christmas shopping has already started
I know I needed this reminder since Sears isn't always my first choice. Amazing when you think of how long the war has lasted and they haven't withdrawn from their commitment. Could we each buy at least one thing at Sears this year?

How does Sears treat its employees who are called up for military duty? By law, they are required to hold their jobs open and available, but nothing more. Usually, people take a big pay cut and lose benefits as a result of being called up.

Sears is voluntarily paying the difference in salaries and maintaining all benefits, including medical insurance and bonus programs, for all called up reservist employees for up to two years.

I submit that Sears is an exemplary corporate citizen and should be recognized for its contribution. I suggest we all shop at Sears, and be sure to find a manager to tell them why we are there so the company gets the positive reinforcement it well deserves.

Pass it on.

Decided to check this before I sent it forward. So I sent the following e-mail to the Sears Customer Service Department:

I received this e-mail and I would like to know if it is true. If it is, the Internet may have just become one very good source of advertisement for your company. I know I would go out of my way to buy products from Sears instead of another store for a like item, even if it's cheaper at that store.

This is their answer to my e-mail:

Dear Customer:

Thank you for contacting Sears.The information is factual. We appreciate your positive feedback.

Sears regards service to our country as one of greatest sacrifices our young men and women can make. We are happy to do our part to lessen the burden they bear at this time.

Bill Thorn
Sears Customer Care
webcenter@sears.com
1-800-349-4358

Please pass this on to all your friends.. Sears needs to be recognized for this outstanding contribution and we need to show them as Americans, we do appreciate what they are doing for our military!!!

Watercolor of China Camp. Finished?

2008-11-19T15:16:00.000-08:00

This is what followed the previous smaller sketched version. I think I left too much open space with the sky and foreground, although I have already cropped a large strip from the sky at the top. I sorta like it, it's just not grabbing me. I'll put it away for a while and come back to look at it. Maybe I'll like it then, or maybe I'll see what it is that's bothering me. Comments, as usual, are appreciated.

China Camp value sketch

2008-11-12T14:08:00.000-08:00

I occasionally go out painting with a pick-up group of artists, mostly but not all members of the El Cerrito Art Assn. On a return trip to China Camp a couple months ago I did this rough sketch. It was only intended to help work out the values and colors of what was to become a larger painting. So it's blurry, with pencil smudges and not a lot of detail, but now that the large painting is completed, I prefer the spontaneity of this small unfinished version. The atmosphere of a bright summer day is still there, and though the old fishing boat looks a bit awkward, it seems to help it look like the relic it is.

Moonshine Campground

2008-11-12T14:02:00.000-08:00

This little watercolor sketch was done at Moonshine Campground, where we went camping in August of this year. It's a privately owned camp on the Middle Fork of the Yuba River just out of Camptonville, CA. Me, my sister Michele, my daughter Koko, and my granddaughters Jasmine and Lily, were visited there by my other daughter Lisa, my granddaughter Kandi, and my greatgrands, Julian and new baby Nedjha. Rounding out the group was my girls' old friend Brett and her boy Max. We had a great time, the river was lazy and calm and warm due to lack of rainfall this year. So it was perfect for swimming and floating around. We all enjoyed it so much, we decided to return next year, only to find out that after many, many years in operation, the camp is shutting down. Family business complications. We are all so disappointed. After trekking from place to place on our annual-ish camping trips, we had finally found a place we all liked and that was pretty much centrally located for everyone. Heavy sighs all the way around.

Sketching at ButterCream Bakery, Albany

2008-11-06T11:08:00.000-08:00

I met with my daughter Koko and friend Isabel after their classes for coffee at the Buttercream Bakery in Albany yesterday afternoon. Neither had been here before and had a hard time finding it. I had a hard time too the first time, because you can drive right past and not see it. The sign is on the front window, but if you're following your nose driving down San Pablo Ave., you possibly won't see it.

I brought my sketch book, thinking maybe I could do a saltshaker or spoon, just a doodle while we visited. But the ear of Indian corn I thought I would paint, morphed into the vase of fall flowers behind it. Koko and Isabel left and I painted on; then a couple of other watercolor artists came in, part of an ongoing lesson from one of the cafe's owners! Who knew? Well, they invited me to stay, so I did of course, and tried my hand at a setup of persimmons. I love this little cafe, and would gladly link to their site, but it is still being developed. Fresh baked goodies, breakfast, lunch and high tea, and now, a place to sit and paint!

Back in the USA

2008-11-02T11:27:00.000-08:00

What a week. I arrived at SFO from Cabo late Monday evening and have been playing catchup ever since. I had forgotten how all the trivia of daily living here can be such a giant time suck, at least as far as doing anything creative goes. Having had all the previous week with no errands to run, phone calls to make/return, demands of family and others, combined with a warm and sunny place did wonders for me. And made me remember that I need to be back in Brazil. So by this past Friday afternoon I was way over-ready to go to Dee's place to paint, visit and eat. I think the old salons must have been something like her house, a welcoming place where artists of various persuasions can come and relax, share what they've been doing and what they know. You never know where the conversation will go but it will always be interesting.

I took out my sketch book and finished what had started as a plein air watercolor sketch of one of my favorite places to eat in Cabo, Mama's Royal Cafe. That's right, Mama's Royal, serving great breakfasts with a definite Mexican twist. Don't go to Cabo without planning to brunch there at least once. You can sit outside on the patio if you like. The coffee's great, the food and service consistently good, and the prices are reasonable. You won't be disappointed.

Cabo Arch almost

2008-10-25T12:20:00.000-07:00

OK, I know, you still can't see the famous arch. But, it's really there, trust me. The sea was so much more sparkling than I could make it look. Think I'll go read for awhile, this painting business is really exhausting.

Pueblo Bonito wildlife

2008-10-25T12:09:00.000-07:00

There's a whole menagerie happening in my room. I never know what I'll find when I return after going out for awhile. Elefants, swans, peacocks . . . Actually, you can take classes here on how to fold towels, which I find no stranger than some other art forms, which I won't mention, lest I offend somebody. Like that's ever stopped me.

For you, Auntie M

2008-10-24T13:54:00.001-07:00

I know I'm not supposed to bring back even one more flamingo, but pictures don't count, do they? Besides, they were asking for you. H-O-O-O-O-NK!

The View

2008-10-24T13:45:00.000-07:00

I'm trying to be very conscientious about doing a sketch everyday. I did this day before yesterday morning before going out for awhile. Even though I only walked to the Puerto Paraiso mall, I was surprised how out of shape I've gotten in just a few short months of using my car for everything. So after coming back I paddled around in the water for awhile. Hugely tiring. I've got to do a little more physical activity, lifting beers and crunching nachos doesn't seem to be working.

The Cabo arches

2008-10-24T13:32:00.000-07:00

I know you can't see any arch. That's because the hills in the front hide it. But Lovers' Beach is that little sandy spot in the middle. I should probably catch a boat ride and go over there instead of just painting it. Nah, too much work. Maybe tomorrow.

Arrived Pueblo Bonito Blanco on Monday . . .

2008-10-24T12:58:00.000-07:00

I've actually tried to be a little more self-disciplined than usual, and made myself do some sketching. The weather is wonderful (for me). 70 - 90 degrees, I'm in heaven. Since I can't get back to Brazil for awhile, this will have to do. It's amaazing how much better I feel with some sun and sand and blue, blue water. There's usually a gentle breeze coming in off the water. This is a big week in Cabo - there's a little get-together called the Bisbeee Fishing Tournament. Lots of very cool sports fishing boats and their owners in town. It's reassuring to know that our sucking economy hasn't hurt the poor suffering folks in their boats. OK, so I'm being a sarcastic bitch, and yes I'm jealous, I want a boat too with everything that goes with it. Actually, I'd probably be just as happy, maybe happier, with a little canoe in Brazil.

This is looking back at part of Pueblo Bonito. It's a pretty place and I love all the tile. Just a tad on the pricey side, so I walk into town to do my email and IMing, and pick up a few things to eat at the grocery store.

Sunday at Port Costa cont.

2008-10-22T13:06:00.000-07:00

More from the same day. OK, so this wasn't a very good day for painting. But we all had fun. Isabel & Koko will probably be back some sunny Sunday afternoon. Look at them, standing there by the Harleys. Shameless! Now I understand why they sent the kids for a walk.