1. Painting Doors of Mexico.......................................
    

Without a doubt, I find the walls in Mexico most intriguing.  I love the colors, the texture and , yes, the deterioration, because it creates animation in my paintings.  To further enhance the beauty of these walls are astonishing vines that have been growing for decades and lend a sense of gentleness to the otherwise harsh environments. How could one not desire to capture this with the photo lens, but also with one's own sense of style and color.  Traveling light doesn't afford me the opportunity to carry many tools of my trade, but I am never without my journal and watercolors....they can fit in any Bag!!

Old Doors of Mexico

Following the doors in Mexico........one of my favorites past-times on Sunday afternoon is to stroll the streets of old Mexico and take pictures of the architecture and doors.

In the next few months we will be taking the walks together.  I will share with you my observations and insights into the buildings and often the art that transpires from these walks.

Please come along on this journey with me....step by step...

Intro to traveling for art...

 

Soul Food: Nourishing the Soul Through the Arts

 

For most of my life I have been involved in the arts.  It all began with scribbling on the walls. I remember well the colored pencils being removed from my possession because of the flower on the wall,  but I suffered the consequences because I knew I had created a masterpiece! Before I hit my teens, I would sit at the movies on a Sunday afternoon and sketch the clothing of the beautiful women on the screen. Later I would  design and constructed my own clothing .  In puberty , as a  mournful teenager ------ full of pain and suffering , I took to writing.  Using paper and pencil, and a heart full of drama, I spent many hours in my room writing and sketching.

 

Each of these incidences, loosing myself in an art form, has fed my soul, seeded ideas and nourished me. The arts have provided a vehicle for moving through some of life's greatest joys and sorrows. I often find myself lost in a painting, a book, or a sunset and come out the other end a better person.

 

 

Several years ago I lived abroad .   Even though the  three years in England were an amazing gift,   it was a difficult move away from family, friends and my businesses.  Remembering my past  I took to paper and pencil  and moved through the tough times by writing and painting.   I had lost this love of art in my everyday life, but discovered it again as I pursued a certificate in watercolor to teach others this old English art form.   I spent much time  searching  out galleries and show openings to hone my new love.  Looking at art with a fresh eye , I found peace and reconciliation with my new life, but mostly I found my love of the arts had grown.  I found inspiration  in the painting of a great master,  in a child's first attempt to draw or in  any student realizing they had just created their own masterpiece.  I was fortunate to have an amazing teacher and I will never forget the day that I said....."I get it".  As time past. I found myself healing through the arts and found my soul nourished .  Little did I know that these lessons would help me get through a future tragedy. 

 

 

Today I walked through the town of Chelan and felt the quietness, but I also saw the color of the leaves, the sculptures that make us think and laugh, and the murals that share the past of our ancestors.  I felt privileged to be living in this community, but I also felt a hunger to know more. We are fortunate to live in  a place that treasures art.   What can we reap from the art and events that celebrate the soul of this community? I want to  share that love of this town with you and , also, my adventures on the road.

 

 

As I pack my bags to hit the road for sun and adventure, I will keep in touch with the arts in Chelan, but I will also hit art shows, gallery walks, music venues, craft shows and maybe a roadside attraction or two and share all my experiences with you.

 

 

I hope that I can feed and nourish YOUR  soul during the long winter months ahead.

 

 

Here's to a hearty appetite of art coming your way.

Cheers,

Ronna