Progress & Inspiration

Ok, I have almost finished the paintings I started about 2 months ago. They are 12 paintings, most of them with Portuguese topics..from portraits to still life to near-fantasy. Along with this, I have also achieved ventilation in my room so I can keep all the fumes out without having to open the windows!

A note about "near-fantasy" ...it is 'near-fantasy' only if you have not seen Portugal...
If fairies exist, they live in Portugal. They live in its magical forests and its abundant medieval castles, rich with Romanic and Gothic architecture almost at every step you take. And don't forget the architecture style called "Manuelino", which is typically Portuguese and probably the most beautiful. Portugal is a small country with an intense, rich history over many millenia, including being the origin of one of the largest empires that started in the 1400s, along with Spain and England. Imagine all this history of conquers combined with hard-working people that even gave up their own food (I'll tell you this story later) to help the sailors in their travel. Imagine a country closely linked to the sea, struggling with it every day to survive and grow. It is the combination of power, riches and a passionate personality allowed the creation of exuberant architecture, music and art in a country at the place "where the land ends" (Finis Terra) with unique and varied climates and geography.

Esteva do Algarve

Ok, here's the latest. Inspired again by Portuguese topics. This time, it's a ceramic jar with blue flowers and an "esteva". All my paintings are always a work in progress. Sometimes, I think I'm done and I come back and change something, or add something...perhaps making a shadow more drastic, or light brighter...rounding out what should be round, etc. I am satisfied enough with this one to show it, but I do not know that it is complete...I will sign it when complete :)

This is a quiet scene, or a freshly cut esteva left by the jar on a old wooden shelf.

Again, using Rembrandt soft pastels, Gioconda pastel pencils, charcoal and a workable fixative.

I didn't know about the estevas, after a dear friend from the Algarve region told me about them. Estevas are flowers native to the Mediterranean basin, growing anywhere from Portugal to France. They are used as ornament and sought after for their aroma. Their resin, called "ladano", used in perfume fixatives, is collected from the saliva of goats after letting them graze on the estevas. Curious, huh? :)

Unfinished Work #1

Well, this is the first pastel I am showing to the world in this blog. It is made with Rembrandt pastels and Gioconda pastel pencils, then covered with a workable fixative. I am awaiting self-satisfaction with the painting before applying the final coat for protection from light and time.
I love still life paintings, ...although I prefer portraits. But sometimes, beauty is in little things that do not talk, Still life is, in a way, a portrait..a portrait of life as it surrouds us. Things like bread, some fruit, rosemary, an old book and artisan work. This one depicted is inspired by ceramics from the Algarve region, in Southern Portugal. I will be posting a follow-up finished version of the painting in a few days.
Will love to receive your comments. Add yourself to my page if you feel so inclined. I speak English, Portuguese and Spanish and... I can read and write some French.
Stay tuned and thanks for visiting!! :)