Annual Garden Sale- SMA - colourful inspiration for any artist
I am trying to figure out how to repack ? The proverbial problem. This one is a little more challenging - can I bring back my colour studies? my play on large acrylic paper? my canvases? What do I do with that huge jar of very expensive Golden gesso I bought and hardly used?
These thoughts were with me at the beginning of my artist retreat here . Some had told me that shipping FedEx or DHL was certainly a possibility . I'm told that hardly anything goes through the mail here . So, when I headed for the art supply store [ El Pato] on my second day here, I chose as wisely as I could - I bought large sheets of acrylic paper to paint on [ but small enough to roll up and possibly fit into my suitcase... or at least carry rolled up]. I bought 4 canvases - 24 x 24 the biggest ... small for me but I thought shippable in the worst case scenario. I bought a limited number of Golden paints in small tubes . [ Again, I did not bring acrylics with me..... too many concerns about possible freezing on the airline, providing safety specs for customs, etc]..... I brought some very small tubes of acrylics, some watercolours and pens and inks for experimenting . It was all good.
This is what I have done in order to depart. I had coffee with Ian and his wife Mary Ann and donated my gesso, and the canvas frames and one canvas not completed to his art practice. [ He generously gave me a whole stack of his beautiful art cards to take home with me. An excellent exchange].
I took my completed canvases off their frames and rolled them inside my completed acrylic paper studies. One roll covered in the plastic sheet the paper came in and tied together. I can now pack or carry . Workable.
As much as I would have liked to buy some things here, I did not. I bought art cards from artists who inspired me or bulletins about their work for follow up online. I wrote in my art journal about what inspired me, their work processes, their art journeys to San Miguel . I took photos where I could . Hopefully, this will be enough to allow me to repack my suitcase.... and pack a couple of extra things - 2 small books in Spanish I hope to be able to read one day , a CD of popular Mexican music ... and my clothes [ always take up more space going home than coming].
These thoughts were with me at the beginning of my artist retreat here . Some had told me that shipping FedEx or DHL was certainly a possibility . I'm told that hardly anything goes through the mail here . So, when I headed for the art supply store [ El Pato] on my second day here, I chose as wisely as I could - I bought large sheets of acrylic paper to paint on [ but small enough to roll up and possibly fit into my suitcase... or at least carry rolled up]. I bought 4 canvases - 24 x 24 the biggest ... small for me but I thought shippable in the worst case scenario. I bought a limited number of Golden paints in small tubes . [ Again, I did not bring acrylics with me..... too many concerns about possible freezing on the airline, providing safety specs for customs, etc]..... I brought some very small tubes of acrylics, some watercolours and pens and inks for experimenting . It was all good.
This is what I have done in order to depart. I had coffee with Ian and his wife Mary Ann and donated my gesso, and the canvas frames and one canvas not completed to his art practice. [ He generously gave me a whole stack of his beautiful art cards to take home with me. An excellent exchange].
I took my completed canvases off their frames and rolled them inside my completed acrylic paper studies. One roll covered in the plastic sheet the paper came in and tied together. I can now pack or carry . Workable.
As much as I would have liked to buy some things here, I did not. I bought art cards from artists who inspired me or bulletins about their work for follow up online. I wrote in my art journal about what inspired me, their work processes, their art journeys to San Miguel . I took photos where I could . Hopefully, this will be enough to allow me to repack my suitcase.... and pack a couple of extra things - 2 small books in Spanish I hope to be able to read one day , a CD of popular Mexican music ... and my clothes [ always take up more space going home than coming].
There are so many unique images I have captured in my memory and on my camera while I have been here. Memories that I hope will inspire my art going forward. The image here is one that explains to women that this is the women's washroom . Now why couldn't we create imaginative ways to bring a smile to people's faces in the ordinary and everyday things that we experience ?
I can't tell you how much I enjoyed meeting Mexican people from all parts of Mexico and from all backgrounds. They have inspired me to continue to study Spanish . They are generous, kind, full of love, and so giving to help someone in any situation when it is obvious that that person doesn't know what to do or doesn't understand something. [ That person would be me].
The day I happened on to the Annual Garden Show, I swear it was the coldest day captured on record while I was here. I persevered to bundle up and go into town to stay warm and discovered this amazing garden show. Not many people were braving the weather the morning I was there so I got to practice my Spanish with many of the gardeners and helpers.
The picture above depicts some of the fresh herbs available. Do you see the one in the middle ? - " Vaporrub"...... yes, a kind of mint to be used as a chest rub for colds.
The day I happened on to the Annual Garden Show, I swear it was the coldest day captured on record while I was here. I persevered to bundle up and go into town to stay warm and discovered this amazing garden show. Not many people were braving the weather the morning I was there so I got to practice my Spanish with many of the gardeners and helpers.
The picture above depicts some of the fresh herbs available. Do you see the one in the middle ? - " Vaporrub"...... yes, a kind of mint to be used as a chest rub for colds.
This is Señor Alphonso, working hard at the garden show. [ HIs job was to carry plants out for customers in the wheelbarrow but the morning was slow. ] He offered to give me a lift in his wheelbarrow , but I did not want to disturb his siesta.
One of the joys of SMA is that every day is a day of discovery. I would like to take this feeling back home with me . Above is an artist's casa with these magnificent wooden sculptures adorning the upper levels.
I loved all of the beautiful handcrafted art creations in rugs and ponchos displayed in the local artisan markets off the main tourist strips. I would have liked to have some of these in my little old cottage but again, getting them home a challenge. Maybe next time.
THE VELVET GIRL GALLERY - Meeting Sarah Zambiasi
Sarah's gallery is located in the Mercado de Artesanias at Hildalgo and Relox streets. Sarah is originally from Australia bought has come to Mexico via Italy I believe.... imagine an Aussie accent with a slight Italian Mexican twinge...... interesting to say the least.
I wanted to name drop Sarah and her art in my last post from SMA- fittingly one of my last artists to have an in-depth conversation with about her art which celebrate the " Divine Feminine" through form and symbols, Sarah spent a number of years painting with Toller Cranston, a very good friend, and her work captured my attention immediately because I saw Toller Cranston-like symbols and form but with a definitely unique Sarah twist. I loved her small works on show at her gallery .
But check her out : [email protected] or at
flickr.com/photos/zambiasi_artwork or just google her name for shows and commentary over the years.
I wanted to name drop Sarah and her art in my last post from SMA- fittingly one of my last artists to have an in-depth conversation with about her art which celebrate the " Divine Feminine" through form and symbols, Sarah spent a number of years painting with Toller Cranston, a very good friend, and her work captured my attention immediately because I saw Toller Cranston-like symbols and form but with a definitely unique Sarah twist. I loved her small works on show at her gallery .
But check her out : [email protected] or at
flickr.com/photos/zambiasi_artwork or just google her name for shows and commentary over the years.
SMA being designated a World Heritage Site has brought with it both rewards and downsides. The front page of the newspaper headlines " Tourism in San Miguel: Good or Bad?" Its a bit of the every popular city drama unfolding- wealth coming in , building casas in the millions of dollars, bringing money and jobs, but also problems for local people who can't find affordable housing or a place to park to go to work. I have always been a kind of adventurer and one of the things I found myself wanting to do in SMA was to peer in behind the many closed doors..... as the actual living spaces in SMA go well behind and beyond the doors to them. Glimpses behind the doors, open for a brief moment or two, reveal many stories of the activities of SMA....
what's behind a door?
private residence behind a door
I hope you have enjoyed my artist residency blog in SMA ..... and I hope I have inspired you in some small way to seek out your own adventure and inspiration in your life. Hasta Luego.
RSS Feed