This time 12 artists showed up to sketch and paint whatever they found interesting at Anchora or the Styx Restaurant. We arrived around 8:30am and watched as they were setting up for a wedding celebration. This unique spot has all kinds of drift wood made into chairs, hearts, lamps, well everything...even the bathrooms. You can tell how interesting it is by all the different subjects painted!!

I couldn't bring my oil painting supplies as I borrowed my husband's bike as he worked on mine. He doesn't have a big basket on the back to put my oil palette, tripod and painting supplies in so I put my sketchbook bag over my shoulder and headed out. The lagoon view is what intrigued a couple of us. I borrowed a chair and snuggled up beside a boat on the ground for shade and happily sketched and painted. I still had time so did a second one with a calligraphy pen called an Elegant Writer. This black pen when touched with water will bleed out into various shades of teal, green and pink (no rhyme or reason). I inked what I wanted them went back over with the Elegant Writer in places then added plain water with a brush to make the ink bleed. These sketches are on individual sheets that I will make into a book later (I don't know how thick the book will be for this time frame).

Everyone was invited to Linda's complex for a windup paint out and pot luck lunch. The other renters were gracious and invited us to paint where ever we were inspired in the complex. The addition of a sit down lunch, lots of laughter and art speak was a real bonus. I painted the view of the wall just beside the front gate. As always, when someone leaves, we take a photo of the art "in progress" and today it was to enjoy our potluck feast. Thanks Linda and friends!!

"30 Calle Rosales"
11 1/2" x 5 3/4" plein air oil on wood  #20029326

We were invited to Linda's building roof top for our weekly plein air. I had a small 6" x 8" canvas I had been gifted by Peggy and chose to paint the church bell tower. It was hard to settle down and choose something as the rooftop had a 360 degree view. It was a very different and busy view with all the roof tops!! Most of the group went for drinks and food after. Lots of inspiration, conversation (sad goodbyes as well) and laughter. As always, a highlight of my week.

The "art in progress", as always a photo is taken when someone has to leave and is not necessarily finished.

"Companario de la iglesia"
7" x 5" Plein Air Oil on canvas, #20024326

Maria invited the group to her suite and upper community deck for our Saturday plein air. As you will see in the photo below, there was a lot to choose from.

I drew and painted 1, drew the second one and added paint when I got home. The delicious Azteca soup from our group lunch after at Ava's was drawn when I got home. What a fun and inspiring morning!

Monique asked permission for us to paint at this beautiful hotel. The renters were inquisitive and welcoming! There is an inner courtyard on the road side that 2 artists chose as well as an oceanside beautiful shaded courtyard that six chose. When the first artist is ready to leave, we do a slap down (sound of books/substrates on the tile floors) and take a photo of the group's works in progress. There is often ooohs/aaahhs as well as discussions of "how did you do that?", "what colour did you use there?", "I love how you did ...", lots of "artist speak"! Coffee, food, drinks and laughter followed at a local cafe, what fun! The top left photo was of where I was standing in the left corner to paint the first one, the second one (far right) was painted inside the courtyard.

"Hotel Monterrey View"
6" x 11 1/2", Plein air oil on wooden canvas, #20019326A

"Tree Hug"
5" x 7", Plein air oil on canvas, #20019326B

I had just arrived back in Mexico after a visit with our  family in Canada. I had a wonderful and busy time, enjoying myself thoroughly. We also had a mini holiday at the Mount Washington ski hill as a birthday celebration. Unfortunately there was no snow to ski, but what little we found, we enjoyed.
​The next day was with the Playa Paint Pals again meeting at a beachside restaurant, Bugamvilias. There were 12 of us enjoying whatever sparked our interest. Unfortunately someone had to leave early so most of the sketching was still in pencil or works in progress.
This group is open to all levels of sketchers and each week we try to pick the destination for next week. Maria has volunteered the place that she is renting, what fun we will have!
I painted the two sketchers enjoying a breakfast break and some of the table items.

Fun, fun, fun once again! Our group met between Rosita's and La Rana. Some artists were welcomed and sat in Rosita's and a couple of us sat in the shaded area of the street. One of the fun or interesting parts of plein air creating is the view continually changes. I had the view of Rosita's from across the street and then a van pulled in front and the driver went in the restaurant. When the first person has to leave, we all gather and take a photo of the "works in progress" (first photo). My shade and view was gone so I added the sky when I got home after a delicious breakfast was enjoyed with the wonderful artists.

These are the final 3" x 3" squares in my sketchbook. They are things in my daily life that the prompts elicited. I used inks, water colour, mixed media, magazine pages and pencil, whatever was inspired by the prompt. I really enjoyed this process and it helped that I made it work for me, especially with travelling. I would highly encourage you to put it on your calendar for next year and do it whatever way works for you. Thank you Opus! 

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