In Like A Lion

Posted on April 18, 2013 by cecelia

Out like a lamb (March). Unless you live in Boulder, Colorado which got more than a foot of snow the middle of April. Here in Texas, April showers will bring May flowers. The flower show really began with tulips mid March and continues right through spring and summer.

Inspiration, for me, is everywhere. Springtime at the Dallas Arboretum provided just the right burst of color needed for a series of collages I made called “Springtime Suite.” I built the collage on an acrylic painting on paper. I let the painting dictate the overall composition and color scheme of the collaged papers which included my own re-purposed prints (monotypes, collagraphs, etchings) and found paper. When you look at all seven of the Suite you’ll notice the differences in directional movement from one collage to another. In these collages negative space, the areas in and around the collage, are as important as the collage itself.

The seven collages in “Springtime Suite” express the joy I get from working with color inspired by the spring landscape.

Here are “Springtime Suite 1-4.”

#1259 Springtime Suite 1, acrylic painting on paper with collage, 22x30", 2012

#1260 Springtime Suite 2, acrylic painting on paper with collage, 22x30", 2012

#1261 Springtime Suite 3, acrylic painting on paper with collage, 22x30", 2012

#1262 Springtime Suite 4, acrylic painting on paper with collage, 22x30", 2012

Intrigued? To see the complete Suite 1-7 go to my website www.studio7310.com and click on “New Work.” Check out the rest of the website while you are there.

I hope these collages add some sunshine to your day.

Chile and Argentina – Their People

Posted on April 11, 2013 by cecelia

I said in my previous blog that “whenever I travel, it’s the people I remember most.” Young, old, male or female. Meeting the people makes traveling worthwhile. Smiles and hand signals go a long way when your knowledge of the language is slim.

Here they are – some of the warm and friendly people met on the Overseas Adventure Trip “Chile and Argentina: The Andes to Patagonia.”

Wonderful people!

Faces and Places: Chile & Argentina

Posted on April 11, 2013 by cecelia

The best time to head to South America is when it’s winter in the U.S. We explored Chili and Argentina from top to bottom with Overseas Adventure Travel (OAT). We crossed borders several times as we worked our way south to Punta Arenas, the southernmost city in Chile at the foot of the Chilean Andes. Did you know that Patagonia (the region) is shared by Chile and Argentina? We explored both and what variety there was. Mountains, the Andes, of course, plains, ranches, cities, islands, parks and lakes.

Buenos Aires, Argentina acted as bookends for the trip. We started and ended in that vibrant city. What better way to start than with a tango show. So chic, so smooth.

Tango, Buenos Aires

Beautiful old buildings stood in contrast to the eccentric area known as La Boca where brightly painted houses, especially on Caminito St. screamed for attention.

Buenos Aires

La Boca area, Buenos Aires

For a change of pace go to Recoleta Cemetary where the mood is pensive, even with crowds. Remember Evita Peron, “the” Evita? She is buried there.

La Recoleta cemetary, Buenos Aires

We left the hustle and bustle of B.A. and headed for Bariloche on Lake Nahuel Huapi. This is Patagonia’s Lake District where a chairlift takes you up to the top of Campanario Hill. At the top you can look down on the very, very blue lakes and snow capped mountains.

Vista from Campanario Hll, Bariloche, Arg.

There are always “off the itinerary” fun stops with OAT. The Moncopulli Auto Museum in Chile was a treasure trove of antique cars, some restored, some, like this one, waiting for someone’s TLC.

Auto Museum, Moncopulli, Chile

Eating “local” is a given. On Chiloe Island (Chile) we participated in one of the more exotic (for us, anyway) cooking methods for preparing dinner.The “curanto” is a way of layering mussels, chicken and sausage on a bed of hot coals. Everything is covered with huge leaves. Then, you wait. At the right moment (determined by the cooks) the whole thing is uncovered and, voila! Dinner is ready.

"Curanto" dinner, Chiloe, Chile

The capital of Chiloe is Castro, where brightly colored houses on wood stilts called “palifitos” line the water’s edge. They’re referred to, simply, as palifitos.

Palifitos - Chiloe, Chile

A visit to an Argentinian estancia (ranch) introduced us to the art and skill of sheep shearing. Also hanging around were these four footed cuties.

Sheep Shearing, Estancia Fitz Roy, Chile

Estancia Fitz Roy, Chile

No trip to Patagonia is complete without some quality time with the glaciers. We got that in spades in Los Glacieres National Park. These babies are BIG!

Glaciares Ntl. Pk. Argentina

Back in Buenos Aires we traipsed through the San Telmo market. We didn’t score a special treasure but enjoyed poking around. Great people watching, too.

San Telmo, Buenos Aires

Wherever we travel, it’s the people I remember most. I invite you to return to my blog to meet them.

Cecelia’s Art Pick of the Month-April 2013

Posted on April 2, 2013 by cecelia

Spring is here! Color is pushing up through the winter soil as daffodils, tulips, forsythia and other spring flowers announce the change in season.

I have selected “Romantic Allusions” for this month’s Art Pick. Not only is it colorful, but like the flowers revealing themselves in the garden, this mixed media work on paper also reveals some hidden elements. Among the collaged papers and painting are sections of colored oil pastel crayons which were initially covered by black pastels. The black was scratched away revealing the underlying colors.

Enjoy whatever is popping up in your garden and add this month’s Art Pick to your collection.

It is available all month at a 30% discount.

#370 Romantic Allusions, acrylic, oil pastels, collage, 22x28, 1989

Price – $800 less 30% = $560. Free shipping.