omar-paint

Tango Tonight!

2012-02-17T09:15:00.003-08:00

Heute ist der Premiere von Tango! In diesem Moment sind die Tänzer gerade in der Maske!

Tonight is the Tango premiere. Right now the Dancers are at the mask.

Bei den Proben von Batucada

2012-02-16T07:22:00.002-08:00

Ich folge einen einzigen in der Menge und zeichne ich ihm in verschiedenen Stellungen.

I follow one dancer in the group and draw him in different positions.

Begleited bei Klavier

2012-02-15T00:54:00.000-08:00

Jeden Tag die Training wird bei den Klavier begleited.

Bühnenbild fertig

2012-02-14T04:19:00.000-08:00

Das Bühnenbild von Batucata wird auf der Bünhe gebaut

Bühnenprobe

2012-02-08T02:39:00.000-08:00

Stage rehearsal

So sieht an der Bühnenseite aus.

That is how the stage side look like.

Die Tänzer warten bis sie dran sind. Einige der Tänzerinen nähen ihre Schuhe.

The dancers wait for their turn. Some of the female dancers sew their shoes.

Das ist was ich sehen kann.

This is what I can see.

Warten auf seinen Eintritt.

Waiting to entrance.

Physiotherapie

2012-02-06T13:48:00.000-08:00

Physiotherapy

Verletzungen sind ein Teil des Lebens eines Tanzers. Wenn das vorkommt, benötigt man Physiotherapie.

Getting injured is part of a dancer's life, when that happens a physiotherapy is necessary to get back on track.

...und die fangen an zu tanzen!

2012-02-04T03:58:00.000-08:00

Nach einen Monat in Ballet kann ich endlich die Bewegung zeichnen...

In der Zeichnung ist die gleiche Ballerina in verschiedene Stellungen dargestellt.

Presse Berichte

2012-01-28T14:10:00.000-08:00

Berlin:

Am 22. Januar RBB sendete ein Bericht über Urban Sketchers Berlin und ich in der Sendung Kowalzki und Schmidt. Das Bericht fängt erst ab den 1:30 minute, so ein bisschen Geduld. Hier ist der Link.

Hannover:

Nach der Presse Konferenz in Staatsoper Hannover über die Ostern Tanztage wurde mein Projekt mit dem Ballett in den Zeitungen Neue Presse und Hanoverische Allgemeine erwähnt und ich wurde bei H1 Fernsehen interviewed.

Pantelis

2012-01-28T01:40:00.000-08:00

Studio in Sepia

2012-01-27T01:32:00.000-08:00

Tango!

2012-01-26T01:21:00.000-08:00

Die kleinen Pausen zwischendurch. Tag 15

2012-01-25T11:23:00.000-08:00

The little breaks in between. Day 15

Tanzen day 14

2012-01-24T17:55:00.000-08:00

Dancing day 14

Einige der seltsame Momente, wo ich das Tanzen festhalten konnte.

One of the very rare moments were I actually capture a dance.

Die Ballerina, Tag 13

2012-01-22T02:27:00.000-08:00

The ballerina, day 13

Wenn die Welt um dich herum tanzt, deine Augen suchen was sich nicht bewegt.

Sie hat ihre Schuhe genäht.

When the world around you is dancing , your eyes tend to concentrate in what is still.

She was sewing her shoes.

Neues Buch Tag 12

2012-01-21T04:42:00.000-08:00

Ich probiere jetzt mein neues Skizzen-Buch. Es ist immer noch ein Stillman & Birn (USA) aber von den Epsilon series. Es ist immer kompliziert ein neues Buch anzufangen. Man muss sich wieder an das Papier gewöhnen. Hier meine erste Zeichnung:

I try my new book. It is still a Stillman & Birn (USA) but one from the Epsilon series. It is always difficult to start a new book: you have to get use to the paper. Here is my first drawing.

Auch wenn sie nicht tanzen, Tänzer tendieren eleganten Körperstellungen zu nehmen.

Also when they rest dancers tend to have an elegant posture.

Tag 11: mein erstes Skizzenbuch ist voll

2012-01-19T15:16:00.000-08:00

Day 11, my first sketchbook is full.

Die letzte Zeichnungen meines Skizzenbuches.

The last drawings from my sketchbook.

Es gibt Momente, die man festhalten muss, besonders wenn das Licht spielt mit. Die letzte Sonnenstrahlen kommen durch das Fenster während ein Tänzer sich ausdehnt.

There are moments that you have to catch, specially when the light intervenes. Die last sun rays come through the window while a dancer stretches himself.

Ich benutze ein Stillman & Birn Sketchbook

By the way I am using a Stillman & Birn sketchbook.

Bühnenbild, Tag 10

2012-01-19T01:39:00.000-08:00

Scenography, Day 10

Das Bühnenbild Bau geht weiter..

Dienstag, Tag 9

2012-01-18T16:16:00.000-08:00

Tuesday, day 9

Rehearsing Tango

Bewegung festzuhalten ist schwer. Aber bei den Proben es ist einfacher, weil die Tänzer immerwieder die gleiche Schritte wiederholen.

Catching movement is difficult. However the fact that is a rehearsal makes it easier since the dancers have to repeat constantly the same steps.

Manchmal skizziere ich mehre Bilder gleichzeitig. Ich warte bis sie die choreographie wiederholen , um die Zeichnung zu fertigen.

Sometimes I sketch more than one drawing at a time. I wait until they repeat the choreography to finish the drawing.

Manchmal mag ich die einfache Zeichnungen am Besten.

Sometimes the most simple drawings are the ones I like it most.

Dancers Portraits

2012-01-17T06:49:00.000-08:00

Hier sind ein paar Porträts von den Tänzer.

Here are some portraits from the dancers.

Ruben 28 Jahre. Geboren in Mos, Galizien, Spanien

Ruben 28 years. Born in Mos, Galicia, Spain.

Elvis 33 Jahre alt. Geboren in Bilbao, Spanien.

Elvis 33 years old. Born in Bilbao, Spain.

Alexis. Geboren in Boston, USA. Ihre Familie stammt aus Griechenland.

Alexis was born in Boston, USA. Her family come from Greece.

Sonntag den 7. Tag

2012-01-17T01:20:00.000-08:00

Sunday, day 7th

Sonntag war ich frei und konnte durch die Stadt spazieren. Hier ein par Skizzen, dass ich in meinen freier Zeit gemacht habe.

Sunday I was free and went to a walk through the city. Here are some of my impressions.

Hannovers Strassen sind voll mit Kunst im öffentlichen Raum.

Hanover' streets are full with art.

Ein Burger für das Hunger. A hamburger for the hunger.

Das ist eine meine lieblings Plätze. Es ist so gemütlich drin mit eine Tasse Tee.

This is one of my favorites places. You feel so good with a warm tea.

Ballet Dancers Day 6

2012-01-14T02:42:00.000-08:00

Ja klar, es ist sehr interessant über die Werkstätte zu erfahren, aber ihr wollt die Tänzer_innen auch sehen. So hier sind einige bei den Proben.

Yeah ok, it is very interesting to read about the workshops but you probably want to see the dancers. Here are some during the rehearsals.

In der Herren Schneiderei

2012-01-13T10:12:00.000-08:00

Wie ich schon erzählte, gibt es hinter einer Balletttruppe mehrere Leute, die sehr wichtig für ihren Erfolgt sind. Hier ist die Herren-Schneiderei. Es gibt auch eine Frauen-Schneiderei (Ich muss sie in der Zukunft auch besuchen.)

As I have already told you before, behind a ballet company there are many people who are very important for its sucess. Here is the Men Tailoring. There is also a Women Tailoring ( I have to visit it also in the furure)

Dancer with negative space

2012-01-12T11:18:00.000-08:00

Day 4

Jetzt werde ich langsam warm. Skizzieren ist einfacher geworden.

Die Leute bewegen sich ständig während der Proben. Ich benutze am liebsten den Pinsel, aber immer noch hat man wenig Zeit, um mehr als ein paar Striche zu machen. Deswegen benutze ich viel die negative Flächen.

Hier ist ein Tänzer in verschiedenen Stellungen während er die Hinweise des Choreographen folgt. Für diese Zeichnung benutze ich ein Da Vinci Eichhörnchen Pinsel. Dieser Pinsel kann viel Farbe und gleichzeitig eine feine Spitze halten.

Now I am getting warmer. People move contantly during the rehersals. I prefer to use the brush but even then you don't have the time to do more than few strokes. For that reason I like to use the negative space.

Here is one dancer in different positions, resting while listening to the advices of the choreographer.

For this painting I used a Da Vinci squirrel brush. The brush catches a lot of water while conserving a fine tip.

Im Theater Werkstatt

2012-01-11T14:16:00.000-08:00

In the Workhop

An meinen dritten Tag im Theater besuchte ich die Werkstätte. Die Szenographien werden hier gebaut.

Christoph studiert Theater Technik in Berlin und macht gerade sein Praktikum hier. Er zeigte mir herum und erklärte mir, dass das Bühnenbild aus verschieden Kisten besteht, deren Boden aus Metal und deren Struktur aus Holz ist.

On my third day in the theater I visited the workshops. The scenography is built here.

Christoph showed me the workshop. He is studying theater tecnic in Berlin and he is doing his intership here. He explained to me that the Scenography consists of different boxes with a metal base and a wooden structure.

Sketching the ballet: day two

2012-01-10T16:33:00.000-08:00

Am Anfang ist es immer schwer zu skizzieren: man ist "kalt", genauso wie ein Tänzer muss man sich aufwärmen, um gute Zeichnungen zu machen. Die ersten Tage probiert man das, was funktioniert und was nicht.

Für das Tanzen benutze ich am liebsten Pinsel und Aquarell. Es ist schneller und man kann mehr ausdrücken. Stifte benutze ich lieber für Motive, wenn es wenig Bewegung gibt.

It is always difficult to start sketching. Like a dancer, you have to warm up in order to do good drawings. The first days you try what works and what doesn't.

When I draw dancers, I prefer to use the brush and watercolors. It is faster and has more expression. I prefer to use the pen for subjects when there is little movement and many details.

Morgens um 10:00 fängt man an, zu tranieren.

Every morning at 10 o'clock the training starts.

Später sind die Proben. The rehearsal are later.

Spiegelung Reflection

Die Kostümeanproben waren auch heute. Today were also the costume fittings.

Staatsopern Hannover: Day One!

2012-01-09T14:01:00.000-08:00

Heute war der erste Tag meines neuen Kunstprojekts bei der Staatsoper Hannover. Ich werde in den nächsten Tagen die Balletttänzer_innen der Staatsoper während ihrer Proben begleiten und zeichnen. In dieser graphischen Reportage stelle ich die Komplexität und Schönheit des Theaters dar. Am 28 März wird eine Ausstellung des Projekts im Foyer der Staatsoper geben.

Also begleitet mich bei dieser Reise und entdeckt mit mir diese magische Welt!

Today was the first day of my new art project at the Opera House Hanover (Staatsoper Hannover). I will be drawing in the next days the ballet rehearsals and all the people behind it. It is a graphic reportage, showing the complexity and the beauty of a theater. On March 28th there will be an exhibition in the theater foyer.

So follow me in this adventure and discover with me this magical world.

Das ist der erste Eindruck, den man bekommt, wenn man ins Theater durch die Personaltür reinkommt.

This is the first impression a visitor gets when she or he enters the theater through the staff door.

At the Doctor

2012-01-03T14:08:00.001-08:00

Getting sick between Xmas and New Year Eve is not a good idea. I had to wait a long time until it was my turn.

Yes, that on the top left is a design banana holder.

Thirsty?

From the window.

Heinrich Platz

2011-12-20T08:13:00.000-08:00

In the corner from the Oranien Street and Mariannen Street in Kreuzberg is the Cafe Bateau Ivre. In sunny days you can sit ourside and watch the Heinrich square.
We met last time to sketch there. The sun got through the building transforming a quite uninteresting view into something wonderful.

RBB Interview

2011-12-09T15:16:00.000-08:00

Our Berlin Sketchers Group was interviewed by the local TV RBB. Check berlin.urbansketchers.org to see all the drawings my sketchers friends did on on that occasion.

Unter den Linden.

The film crew by the interview.

Delicatessen

2011-12-01T10:44:00.000-08:00

Kreuzberg is the place where the Turk migrants settle down when they arrived in Berlin. There is a lot of the Turk Culture there, for example this Turk Bakery in the Oranien Strasse.

The Bakery is 24 hours open and is full of Turk sweets and Bread

The neighborhood is changing a lot. It is a fancy place to live now. The prices of the apartments and store is getting higher. Traditional stores are being replace by fancy design shops. I feel attracted to draw this places because I want to preserve them, they are the ones that gives this places its character and beauty.

In the Cover of a Magazine

2011-12-01T02:40:00.000-08:00

..was not that part of a Madonna song? Well I felt really good when I got to open the envelope with the last number of "Jüdisches Berlin".

A few months ago I did some drawings from the Jüdische Kulturtage in Berlin (you can see them here). The organization liked the drawings and wanted to included in their magazine, but that didn't work since the magazine is black and white and the drawings were full of color. Instead they decided to commission me to draw a meeting of the board of the Jewish Community. The committee should be elected, and the drawing would be better to pass the contents of the next issue.

It was a hard task. The first problem I confront was the point of view. I had to exaggerate the perspective in order to fit the A4 format. The second decision was to choose the media, pen or watercolor. Pen has the disadvantage that it could be related to a cartoon. People don't feel comfortable to be portrait as a cartoon, so I choose watercolor being careful to to avoid a resemblance and concentrate more in an attitude or posture.

There were some many characters on the table. I took me a long time to finish it. But I am happy with the result.

Vote for me! We can win!

2011-11-30T11:53:00.000-08:00

As I told you I am participating in this online competition to win a travel to paint in the Middle East. Today November 30, 9PM I have 453 votes. Just 72 votes behind the first place. The competition ends on December 11 ,so please go a vote in the following link:

http://wunsch.hrs.de/?page=alleteilnehmer&show=380

I will share the drawings with you on my blog!

Subway Stories

2011-11-26T10:39:00.000-08:00

HermannPlatz is a big Subaway Station in Berlin. With a Vinatge look has the atmosphere of a Ballroom. People are good models there. They all keep still until the next train arrives, then suddenly everybody moves.

Beer is omnipresent in the Subaways in Berlin. But on the weekend is just too much. You get that strong alcoholic smell all around. The guys in the picture just have one beer, what I can't object. But when all the people are doing it, the issue isn't about their personal freedom anymore.

PS: I have already 359 votes . To reach the first place I need more than 190 votes .Follow this link to vote for me

Inside the center of the information

2011-11-21T17:55:00.000-08:00

If you happen to travel much you start developing some rituals in order to get a feeling of "normality". Sketching is one, another is to read the newspaper with a coffee. For that I have to find a cafe with a good selection of newspapers.

In Berlin I enjoy reading the Berliner Zeitung. A few days ago while reading it, I asked myself how does nowadays a Newspaper Press room looks like. So I went there and asked if I can draw it, and here is what I found out:

The reporters from the weekend supplement work in offices. You would find a lot of papers on their desks, many newspapers and magazines. Notes on the walls but few personal items.

Diccionaries and water, a lot of water.

Albeit working in different rooms they are continuously coming and going into each other offices to coordinate things.

In the politic press room people work together in a big room

They are constantly checking information with each other

Here they are deciding for the picture in the front page.

This Post is available in German in Berlin.urbansketchers.org

Spoted in the S-Bahn

2011-11-19T02:05:00.000-08:00

On the 02.11.2011
Ring S-Bahn between Prenzlauer Allee und Westhafen at 18:45

Press: My drawings in El Telegrafo Newspaper

2011-11-18T11:57:00.000-08:00

November 6th, 2011

Newspaper: El Telegrafo from Guayaquil Ecuador

Text: Milena Hadatty Mora, Illustration : Omar Jaramillo

The article is about the Turk emigration in Germany and the 50th anniversary of the agreement between Germany and Turkey that make it possible. The drawings are done in different Turk coffee houses in Kreuzberg, Berlin.

Frauenblasorchester Berlin

2011-11-14T11:30:00.001-08:00

Die Frauenblasorchester Berlin spielte am 13. November 2011 in dem Kammermusiksaal der Berliner Philharmonie

Vota per me (italian translation)

2011-11-12T17:32:00.000-08:00

Ho bisogno di aiuto per vincere questo concorso, e viaggare a i paese arabi a dipingere.

Il concorso per residenti in Germania, organizzato per un sito web tedesco molto serio per riserva di alberghi. Ma tutti possono votare. il sito e naturalmente in tedesco ma credo che con questo grafico si capisce come votare.

Importante e che dopo inviare il indirzzo di email, ti arriva un email con un link che devi clicare per confermare il voto. (Questo e per motivi di sicurezza e evitare che qualcuno vote piu di una volta)

In questo momento ho piu di 235 voti, e sono in terzo posto , ma ho bisogno di piu di 300 voti per vincere. Il concorso finisce il 11 di Dicembre e vince la persona con piu voti.

Ti reingrazio si dopo votare condividi questo link con i tui amici su facebook.

http://wunsch.hrs.de/?page=alleteilnehmer&show=380

Cafe Kotti again

2011-11-11T23:44:00.000-08:00

I was painting this watercolor on Kottbuser Tor when a heavy rain made run and seek for shelter.

Cafe Kotti is very close from this spot, I had just to go up through the stairs. The place is on the second floor. I waited until the watercolor dried and started painting the people around.

You got the feeling you are in somebodys living room.

JazzFest - Sunday

2011-11-07T04:35:00.000-08:00

And the JazzFest had to end. But with great highlights. Maybe it was the day I like it most, but that is because I love funk music. Unforgetable was Nils Landgren playing the trombone with Big Sam`s Funky Nation

Parts of the event were trasmited live through Deutschland Radio Kultur. Here Nils Landgren (Künstlicher Leiter) and Joachim Sartorius (Intendant der Berliner Festspiele) are being interviewed live by Lothar Jänichen and Matthias Wegner

Colin Towns Blue Touch Paper during Soundcheck

Edward Maclean bass by Colin Towns Blue Touch Paper

The Swallow Quintet feat. Carla Bley during Soundcheck

There are moments when I say to make to myself, there is not way I can make a decent sketch. The guys were moving all around,,, jumping, dancing, playing and singing. The atmosphere was awesome.. I got carry away from the energy and I am so proud of this watercolor

Check this guys, they are fantastic:

www.bigsamsfunkynation.com/

In the Picture Big Sam Williams trombone and Andrew Baham trumpet.

Ps: write a comment if you like my work or share it on facebook.

JazzFest - Saturday

2011-11-06T02:12:00.001-08:00

Saturday was great! I have to confess that I prefer people singing Jazz, and on Saturday there were some grat voices.

Gregory Porter at the Soundcheck

Josef och Erika at the Soundcheck

Gregory Porter in Concert. Great voice!

Lizz Wright in concert. She was fantastic!

JazzFest - Friday

2011-11-05T04:03:00.000-07:00

Friday November 04

Haus Berliner Festspiele

Photoshooting by Soundcheck. It is easier to draw here. You can get closer to the musicians , but i miss the emotions that music can trasmit in a drawing.

Soundcheck Caecilie Norby Quartet

[EM]

Eva Kruse [em] bass

Caecilie Norby Quartet

Richard Galliano La Strada Quintet

JazzFest - Thursday

2011-11-04T05:08:00.000-07:00

Thursday November 3rd 19:00:

Haus Berliner Festspiele

Adam Pieronczyk feat. Gary Thomas

Press area

Thomasz Stanko 'Litania'

JazzFest - Wednesday

2011-11-04T05:03:00.000-07:00

Wednesday November 2nd 19:00:

Haus Berliner Festspiele

BuJazzO & Maria Baptist 'City Grooves'

Solo

Andromeda Mega Express Orchestra

JazzFest Press Conference

2011-11-04T05:00:00.000-07:00

Press Conference at the Haus Berliner Festspiele.

Exchange Painting for Bike

2011-10-30T04:06:00.000-07:00

I f you live in Berlin. I would like to exchange a bike for this painting. Here is one I did yesterday there is a bike on it. I painted it yesterday in Schlessischer Tor U-bahn.

I don't know much about bikes. I don't care about the color or new or old. Important is that is in good shape.

Cuccuma Cafe in Kreuzberg

2011-10-28T07:16:00.000-07:00

In der Zossener Strasse 34 gibt es ein Cafe, das sehr beliebt ist, um mit den Laptop zu arbeiten. Die Gallerie und das grosse Schaufenster ermöglichen das Strassenleben zu beobachten, wahrend man online ist. Man kann ununterbrochen zwischen den virtuellen und realen Leben wandern.

There is a Cafe in the 34 Zossener street in Kreuzberg that is very popular when you work with your laptop. The Gallery and the big window allow you to enjoy the streelife while being online. You can travel between the real and the virtual life anytime.

www.cuccuma.de

Fabrizio Cammarata & the Second Grace

2011-10-26T14:37:00.000-07:00

My sicilian friend Fabio told me that some friends from Palermo were going to play in Piatto Forte. I went there and was surprise that everybody spoke Italian there. The record store is a meeting point for the Italian community in Kreuzberg/Fridrichhain. The music was good! you can check their website:
www.fabriziocammarata.com

Newfoundland: Illustrations in Uppercase Magazine

2011-10-24T08:55:00.000-07:00

In collaboration with Martin Connelly we did an interview to Mr. Riggs, a 95 years old Fly Fisher. We traveled with a small boat to his cabin in the woods. Martin did the interview and I did the illustrations. I am very proud of the result.
The Uppercase Magazine is a great publication you could check the Issue here. I am on page 74

More Cafe Liebling

2011-10-22T02:58:00.000-07:00

Two sketches of Cafe Liebling.

The first one 2 weeks ago. It was still warm to sit outside. Watercolor on Moleskine Sketchbook

The second yesterday. There are still sunny days but it is getting colder. Watercolor on Stillman & Birn Sketchbook. I tried yesterday for the first time this freebie I got from Stillman & Birn. They noticed I use watercolor and then send me two sketchbooks from their Beta Series to try. The paper is great! 270 gsm and the colors shine through the white.

Cafe Liebling, Prenzlauer Berg, Berlin

2011-10-21T16:53:00.000-07:00

This is one of my favorite places. Why? because is not so far where I live, they have many newspapers and a nice view and in nice sunny days you can seat outside and enjoy the view. The cakes are good, too!

Please, Vote for me! to travel and sketch

2011-10-19T17:52:00.000-07:00

Please help me and vote for me!

Please vote for me and help me to travel and sketch:
you can vote under the following link:
wunsch.hrs.de/?page=alleteilnehmer&show=380
Ps: you will get an email back to your inbox with a link you should click on the link so that the vote counts.
thanks a lot!

we need more than 550 votes, could we make it? are we sketchers, as a group, strong enough on the web to make things happen? lets prove it!

I wrote as a reason:

I will like to draw far away places. Not the Usual postcard drawings. I will like to meet the people that live there. Eat and drink with them. It is amazing how a drawing makes the communication easier. If you support me, I will be sharing my drawings with you in my blog.

Thanks a lot,

Omar

Kreuzberg Poetry Slam

2011-10-06T16:54:00.000-07:00

I never expected to be surrounded by more than 1000 young people willing to hear poetry. I went to the Astral Kulturhaus because I was curious. However is not the conventional poetry, it is fun!

An endangered Species

2011-10-06T15:27:00.000-07:00

The other day I read in the newspaper that soon these profession is not longer going to exist. In German is called "der Zugabfertiger" I looked for a translation into English and I could not find it. Is this just a German thing. Well I have to explain what he does: he gives the signal to the train to leave.
Now I want to draw so many as possible, I guess is an Urban Sketcher mania to document things that are going to disappear.

Cafe Kotti

2011-10-05T11:41:00.000-07:00

In the Kottbuser Tor, the heart of Kreuzberg, you will find this cafe. This is the Berlin I like.

One coffee under the sun

2011-10-02T01:19:00.001-07:00

A guy drinks a coffee in the Marheineke Markthalle in Kreuzberg, Berlin. I was interested in the shadows projected in the floor.

Flowers in Kreuzberg

2011-09-29T01:14:00.000-07:00

In the Marheineke Halle in Kreuzberg. Silke is working.

Almanci! Kahvehane Reloaded

2011-09-23T13:26:00.001-07:00

50 years have past since the first Turk guest workers came to Germany to help with the German "Wirtschaftwünder". Now they are an integral part of this Society. However there are conflicts and contradictions between this two cultures becoming one.

This Parcour takes you in a tour through different Cafe houses and in every one you can see a short performance that tells you something.

I enjoyed walking through Kreuzberg with a plan in my hand that explains you how to find the next cafe. By the time you enter the next Cafe you have experienced all the smells and sounds of the hood. Life went on as usual there. Men played cards and games. This a place that you always wanted to enter but you never dare. You felt estrange surrounded by a language you don't understand.

Coffee Cult in Kreuzberg

2011-09-22T23:55:00.001-07:00

I just got up. I am cat-sitting for a friend in Kreuzberg again. I will go down a have a coffee. I love the place. Do you understand why?

The watercolor is for sale.

There is love why do you hate?

2011-09-22T02:28:00.000-07:00

Es gibt Liebe, warum hasst du?

A great performance I enjoyed the other day (13.09.11) in the Kreuzberg Cityhall.

With Yarom Shamir (dance and Choreography) Gerhard Hoffmann (Text and Director) Music by Gerhard Hoffmann and Luci van Org.

Jüdische Kulturtage Berlin

2011-09-20T08:46:00.000-07:00

I did a new document in issuu with all the drawings of the Jewish culture days. Enjoy!

Amsterdam Klezmer Band

2011-09-18T23:46:00.001-07:00

The closing event of the "Jüdische Kulturtage" (Jewish culture days) in Berlin put every body to dance. I am very happy of this set of drawings, you can see clearly how the music influences my work.

In the first one we are just getting warm. The musicians still with their jackets and I using predominantly lines rather than color.

In the second drawing you can see how everything is getting loose.. the music is getting into the soul.

In the third one we went crazy.. just color .. only a brush can paint so fast...

We got up and start dancing! Feel the music and check their music in their website www.amsterdamklezmerband.com.

If you want to see all my drawings regarding the "Jüdische Kulturtage" check the following link.

Feidman & Friends

2011-09-18T07:37:00.000-07:00

Jüdische Kulturtage - Saturday 17.09.2011 9 PM - Synagogue Rykestrassen

It was a wonderful concert. Giora Feidman enchanted us with his music and his charm.

Before it started everybody was reading the newspaper

I realized too late that my place was not the best for drawing...

...but I also got very interesting views

Giora Feidman signed my drawing

I change my position and did more drawings

The public loved him. He made everybody sing.

Bubble tea in Kreuzberg

2011-09-17T07:54:00.000-07:00

Kreuzberg is a place where you are happy to get lost, because you start finding the most wonderful laces. Like this tea shop in the Graefestrasse. I tasted for the first time a bubble tea. that is a cold tea with bubbles and instead of sugar tapioca balls. Delicious!

Here is their link if you want to know more about it.

Gendarment Markt Berlin

2011-09-16T14:22:00.000-07:00

Reading marathon Jewish Culture days Berlin

2011-09-15T15:11:00.000-07:00

Lesemarthon Jüdische Kulturtage

In front of the Centrum Judaicum in Oranienburger street there is a reading marathon conducted by pastor Felix Leibrock. Well known people read from the 3 sacred books.

Vor dem Centrum Judaicum auf der Oranienburgerstr. findet eine Lesemarathon statt. Prominente Leute lesen aus den drei heiligen Büchern.

Bio Ice Kreuzberg

2011-09-15T05:24:00.000-07:00

Poeple made line to buy the bio ice at the Markhalle. A nice szene on a Sunday afternoon in Kreuzberg

Friseur Magic Suat in Kreuzberg

2011-09-13T02:38:00.000-07:00

As you know I love to visit Barber Shops and oriental Barber shops are always a great experience.:-)

Food meets dance

2011-09-12T15:07:00.000-07:00

In Wappensaal from the Berlin City Hall the Indonesia Embassy presented the Event Food Meets Dance. things to eat and very interesting dances to see.

Shuk Ha'Carmel Berlin

2011-09-11T15:23:00.000-07:00

Sunday in Charlottenburg, Berlin. As part of the Jewish culture days there was a Shuk Ha'Carmel in the Fasanenstreet in front of the jewish community center. Many people visited the market.

Sonntag in Charlottenburg, Berlin. Es gab ein Shuk Ha'Carmel auf der Fasanenstrasse, gegenüber dem jüdischen Gemeindehaus. Es gab viele Leute.

There was live music too.

Es gab auch Live-Musik.

It was also an opportunity to visit the jewish community center. As I learned from the photos inside, there used to be a synagogue at the same place before. The Portico is what remains from it. The rest of the building was built at the end of the 50's.

Es war auch möglich das jüdische Gemeindehaus zu besichtigen. Ich habe durch Photos erfahren, dass es früher eine Synagoge an der gleiche Stelle gab. Der Portikus ist noch übrig geblieben. Das Gemeindehaus wurde Ende der 50ger Jahre gebaut.

Featured in UPPERCASE journal website

2011-09-11T09:50:00.000-07:00

The journalist Martin Connelly and me did a long journey through Newfoundland in other to meet a 95 years old Fisherman. Martin did an interview and I did some portraits of him.

I am very proud of our work together. I will never forget our boat trip. In Newfoundland you can travel for kilometers without seeing anybody. Maybe because I grew up in a big city and I had not much contact with wild nature, I felt like a kid again in an adventure. It was a wonderful experience.

The interview with my sketches will come in the issue #11 . Meanwhile you can read the introduction as contributors in the UPPERCASE website

Mokkabar in Kreuzberg

2011-09-11T01:25:00.000-07:00

You might think that I only jump from one Cafe to another but I have not found the ONE yet.

I like this drawing, it shows something about the place and something about the people that visit the place without showing the place itself.

Jüdische Kulturtage Eröffnungskonzert

2011-09-09T07:25:00.000-07:00

Dagmar Manzel & Tal Balshai

played W.R. Heymann for his 50th death anniversary

spielen W.R. Heymann - zum 50. Todestag

The opening concert was in the Rykestrasse Synagogue

Das Eröffnungskonzert war in der Synagoge Rykerstrasse

Before the concert starts.

Bevor das Konzert anfängt.

The ensamble
Das Emsemble

Robert Gallinowski hosted the show with a lot of humor.
Mit sehr viel Witz hat Robert Gallinowski moderiert.

Dagmar Manzel & Tal Balshai
It was so difficult to draw Dagmar Manzel. She can express so much with just a simple hand movement.
Es war sehr schwear Dagmar Manzel zu zeichnen. Sie kann so viel mit einer minimalen Geste ausdrücken.

Knutt Weber Violloncello

The audience was thrilled by the music.
Das Publikum war begeistert.

Sunny days

2011-09-07T23:56:00.000-07:00

Two weeks ago the weather was perfect. I was enjoying the the sun in Berlin at the Häckesche Markt. On the back the Berlin Dome.

Alhambra de Granada

2011-09-07T01:48:00.000-07:00

This summer I was part of a road movie. I went to the Lisbon Urban Sketchers Symposium and decided I will be back by back to Germany back by cars, buses and trains. This not a linear story so I will just tell one random chapter and you should put the pieces together at the end.
You find me in a car with Luis Ruiz and his family direction to Alhambra...
Luis Ruiz is a fellow Urban Sketcher whose work is amazing. You can see his blog here. It was an honor when he proposed me to go there together.
We went to the Alhambra with the goal to draw such a beautiful place. I think both were still feeling the euphoria of the Symposium... like we can draw everything now.
We wanted specially to draw the Lion's courtyard. You only have 30 minutes to visit the Nazaree Palast, so we walked fast expecting to arrive soon to the courtyard and have more time to draw. It was a big deception when we discover that the courtyard is in restoration..... :-(
So here is my drawing with the tittle.. lion's courtyard without lions

But of course it is not the only beautiful place in La Alhambra

here some paramedics feeding the birds

Museums Night Berlin

2011-09-06T02:09:00.000-07:00

There is a night when museums are open until very late and and with one ticket you can visit all. That is the theory, in the practice you don't have enough time to visit everything if you want to enjoy part of the performance or bands that are playing there. I think that is better to go just one day and enjoy just one piece for 20 minutes and leave the place...otherwise is just another way of cultural mass consumerism, what I am against since I am an urban sketcher.

This time I choose a building and the green area in front of it.

Market in Kreuz Kölln

2011-09-05T01:33:00.000-07:00

There is an area in Berlin called Kreuzberg that had became very hip in the last years. There are many galleries and bars and bio-stores. Whenever you find a bio-store you should be sure that apartments are not cheap anymore.
Well close to Kreuzberg is Neu Kölln. It was cheaper of course and people start looking for cheap apartments there and be close to the cafes in Kreuzberg and somebody (probably a realstater) coined the name Kreuz Kölln ....and the bio-stores did already arrived ..
Well in that area there is this nice market on the Maibachufer a small river..

There is a lot of young people living around that area. They use to sit in a wood terrace facing the river, eat,drink and talk. Very often street musicians play live music. There was where I met the band Resha. The musicians are form Uruguay and Argentina. The beautiful and unusual sounds come from this new instrument called hang (invented in Switzerland)you can check their music in the website www.reshasound.com

Häckeschen Hoffe, Berlin

2011-09-04T03:41:00.000-07:00

Tango In Hannover

2011-09-01T10:15:00.000-07:00

I already told some friends , but now that is official I will tell you about this wonderful project I am going to be working in January-February in Hannover, Germany.

I am going to be sketching the Ballet company of the Hannover Staatsopern. The Choreograph is Jörg Mannes and the music will be tango.

I will be following the rehearsals and I will be telling stories in a blog about this wonderful world that is a theater. I got thousand ideas, things I want to try and experiment. There is going to be an exhibition in the Staatsopern on March 28 and there is also a catalog will be available.

Here are some drawings I did on April 2011 when I visited the Theater to discuss the Project:

Featured in Urban Sketchers Spain

2011-08-29T05:17:00.000-07:00

Luis Ruiz, from Malaga from wrote a post in the the Urban Sketchers Spainblog featuring my work. Here is the link . I had the opportunity to meet Luis in Lisbon for the Urban Sketchers Symposium. When he heard that I was planning to visit La Alhambra in Granada he proposed to go together.

I met him first in Malaga where we went out for dinner with his wife and the next day after some early sketches we went with all his family to La Alhambra.

In the taberna

Martha with the Biznaga

the double Page in Malaga Market next morning

In downtown Malaga. We drove later to La Alhambra but that is another story, you can have a preview in the post by Luis Ruiz. (Link above)

Weinblatt, Kreuzberg

2011-08-29T02:43:00.000-07:00

Ok, I am getting used to be a Nomad and travel from country to country, but this time I am travelling from Neighborhood to Neighborhood. Since I still have not found an apartment I staying by different friends every week. Thanks Milena, Fabio and Robert. That have the advantage that I can experience the life in more areas. Berlin is a polycentric city and every quarter is a city in itself. You have everything around you, you don't need to go out to other areas.

This week I am in Kreuzberg and I am experience Roberts "Berlin". Under his building there is this wonderful turk Place. Weinblatt, that is german for Vine leaf.

Bei the way I am also blogging now in german (with a lot of mistakes) by berlin.urbansketchers.blogspot.com

In Berlin

2011-08-23T02:12:00.000-07:00

I went with some friends to an event in Friedrichshain. Suppe und Mucke was called and means Soup and Music, There were a lot of stands with many different kind of soups and bands playing around. The soup bowl can be eaten too. You paid 1-3 euros for it and after that you could have so much soup as you wanted. It was for raising money for a good cause.

I draw a lot of families with kids, usually I find it difficult to draw kids but they were very quiet watching the band playing.

Ok, where I was with my virtual life?

2011-08-17T00:07:00.000-07:00

My virtual life (the blog) experiences right now a time gap of 1 month to my real life. So lets go back to Kassel and share with you what I experienced when I came back from Canada.

Cafe West End: I just love the place with the perfect light coming from the windows...

Melchior Cofee in the NeuFahrt Street with is Wi Fi (since I have to blog a Wi Fi is a good argument when I choose a coffee shop)

Enjoying a exhibition in the Fridericianum Museum (on Wednesday is free) hearing music from this installation and sketching at the same time.

and of course the Orangerie: here on a fast sketch.

And in a bigger watercolor

Hannover, Sunday August 14

2011-08-16T04:22:00.000-07:00

I got a date at the Statue in front of the Train Station. When I was walking in that direction I heard music, nice music. A band called Glamazing was playing there. I got still 30 min. to do a fast sketch.

My meeting was "Unter den Schwanz" literary translated means "under the tail". To refer that the meeting place is in the back of the horse statue, facing the entrance of the station. There is double meaning in German with the word "Schwanz" since it is also use to refer to the male sexual organ.

While there I saw this girl waiting with her bicycle. She hardly moved, what always makes a perfect model. I was wondering who was she waiting for... a relative, a friend? but my date arrived before I could reveal the mystery.

Tango in Ballhofplatz

2011-08-15T00:33:00.000-07:00

Same place a few hours later. There was a tango night. There was a band playing live tango music and people were dancing in the square. There were some tango shows inbetween but mostly were tango lovers dancing in the square. Some city have magic moments and this was one of them.

I love this Moleskine double page, it shows the scene the way I was looking at it. On the left the band on the right the people dancing and on the right bottom corner the people watching the dance.

Detail of the band:

Detail of the dancers:

Back in time: Hannover Now

2011-08-14T23:14:00.000-07:00

Ok lets spring back and tell you what is happening now. I know I wrote I was going to tell you the whole story from the beginning, from my flight back to Europe, Lisbon and the whole Spanish travel but I had the urge to write about the present. And the present is Hannover, before tomorrow when also it would be part of the past.
I came to Hannover and met Ira Prussat another sketcher form this city. She invited me for a coffee and she brought me to this fantastic place called "Teestübschen", in Ballhofplatz. After a long chat and a nice coffee we started sketching the square.

I felt immediately attracted by the tea room, people seating there were having such a good time that I had to draw it. I did a quick sketch but I knew that I have to come back the next day to make a bigger watercolor.

Here is my first sketch on my Moleskine

Here is the my Darjeeling Tee with "Apfelkuchen" Painting food is something I just got from hanging around with Liz Steel in the urban sketchers Lisbon Symposium.

And here is the bigger watercolor (32x17cm)

in the Marquise you can read "Teestübchen seit 1970 in Familienbesitzt" it means " Small tea room, family owned since 1070" here is their website.

Back in the room

2011-08-12T02:33:00.000-07:00

Hi, Sorry I have not posedt more often, I was travelling and drawing all this time. The amount of sketches and watercolors that I had produced is huge and I still processing them. But I would like to start from the beginning, from where I left you last time.

Here is my last sketch in Newfoundland, you have problably enjoyed the video too.

In the afternoon I took my flight to London.

A quick sketch in Heathrow Airport while waiting my connection to Frankfurt.

and here in the train from Frankfurt to Kassel

Thanks to all the nice people I met in Newfoundland

2011-08-05T12:27:00.000-07:00

Here is a beautiful video done by Martin Connelly on my last day in St. John's. Martin is a fantastic multimedia journalist . There was a wind storm in St . John's that day. Things were flying over our heads. I asked him if we should called it off and he said: " No,it is ok".
It is a relieve to know that in this world there are still people craizier than me. You should check Martin's website martinconnelly.com
I love the video and how he can show in a few minutes the essence of my journey to Newfoundland: coming , sketchig, sharing the drawing and going.
Thanks, Martin and all the nice people in Newfoundland

Sketching Downtown from Martin Connelly on Vimeo.

The Urban Sketchers book is already in Amazon!

2011-07-13T00:00:00.000-07:00

Finally is getting closer the day when our book come out in the Market! We are already in Amazon!!! There are sketches from al arround the wolrd and I got featured there with my sketches from Al Ain and the UAE!!! You can preorder and get a fabolous discount in Amazon under the following link:
http://www.amazon.com/Art-Urban-Sketching-Drawing-Location/dp/1592537251/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1310517448&sr=8-1
if you want to know more about Urban Sketchers and join our group check our group blog:
www.urbansketchers.org

Good bye Newfoundland!

2011-07-12T00:54:00.000-07:00

In a few hours I will catch my flight to London (there is a direct flight just 6 hours!) and then Frankfurt. So I had to said good by to Newfoundland. These two watercolors I did in Bay Roberts, one of the many beautiful small towns in Newfoundland (pronounced as in understand). The artist Peter Jackson, has a small studio there, and I spent really nice moments helping him to renovate his house (the blue house) and painting outdoors, specially now that the weather is so good! The best thing about his studio is that you don't have to move far in order to finds things to paint. Both houses I painted seating in his studio. His house on the right and the neighbours house in front.

Peter's house is bright blue. The roster is very important to check the weather. If the wind comes from the see it means bad weather.

For this one I got inspired by one painting from Fred Lynch. He wrote how interesting is the space in between houses.

Last Night in St. John's

2011-07-10T18:02:00.000-07:00

Tonight is my last night in St. John's. Tomorrow at this time I would be in a plane to London. It is late and I am tired but I can't finish packing... I am a great procastinator.
The project St. John's is over. 87 days drawing and painting this city. I did today my last sketch of St. John's. To make the thing more solemn I asked my friend Martin to catch it on video. But today was not a day to be out from home, there was a wind storm out there! The winds were strong and things were fliyig around..and I kept sketching! Was it courage or just stupidity?
The video has still to be edited. I will share it with you when it is ready.
And here some music...

I did this sketch a week ago. It is from a rehersal at the musical Patsy Cline at the Masonic Temple...why I have to think about conutry music when I am leaving?

Biking across Canada

2011-07-10T04:09:00.000-07:00

Ken and Drew (not in the picture) are from Vancouver. They flew to Montreal and from there they drove their bikes to St. John's. I met him at the secret concert in Quidi Vidi. It is funny but Newfoundland attracts very interesting people.

My friend Joy in Rocket's

2011-07-07T04:29:00.003-07:00

There is that nice window in Rocket. the people like to seat there. I love how the light hit their faces and the shadows are warm, and the hair glow. My friend Joy has red hair and it becames streamly beautiful under that light. I asked yesterday if I can paint her. It is something funny to paint in a window a lot of people stopped to watch me painting.

The exhibition was great!

2011-07-06T04:48:00.000-07:00

The exhibition last Thursday was a success. I never imagine that some many people would come. It looked like one of this facebook partys out of control. The place was really small. After two hours (from 7 to 9PM) I was exhausted! The best satisfaccion I had were the positive comments I got from the people. Many said I offered them a different view from St. John's or that I show in my paintings places in St. John's that they could not imaging that foreigner could know from the city.
There are still some watercolors if you are interested to buy.

Thank you again St. John's for the appreciation of my work.

Tuesdays at Rocket

2011-07-05T19:30:00.000-07:00

Yesterday as at every Tuesday a group of people met to play traditional Newfoundland nusic. I am getting addicted to draw this!

Horses on Duty

2011-06-30T04:09:00.000-07:00

What I love about being an urban sketcher is that I have many opportunities to learn from people and their work. How interesting is the job of the mounted police in the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary (RNC) for example! I always thought that horses were just a decorative element in the police departments but I learnt that their work is very important and useful in the city. Mounted Police are excellent for controlling crowds in pedestrian areas: it offers the police great visibility and the people can easily see them from a distance. Also the contact between police and people is more direct in that way. The day I went to the barn to sketch Constable Coombs and Day, they were preparing the horses for an important event at Government House.

Constable Day is cleaning Dobbin for work. She and Dobbin have been working together since April 2009. Dobbin is a five year old black male Percheron, born in Ontario. Dobbin stands 17.3 hands high and weights 1850 lbs.

Fraize is a 12 year old Percheron. He is 17 hands high and weights 1912 pounds.

On June 27 2011 at 6 PM there was a reception for the Governor General in the Government House in St. John's. All the Lieutenant Governors of Canada were present there. Constable Coombs and Day with Fraize and Dobbin from the Mounted Unit guarded the entrance.
Here is a link to the RNC if you want to know more about the Mounted Unit.
I also publish this in www.urbansketchers.org

Open house Exhibition

2011-06-29T10:54:00.000-07:00

Hi blog readers I am doing a small exhibition at my parents house in St. John's. Thurday June 30 from 7:00 to 9:00 PM If you one want to come and see it please contact me (On the top of the blog middle tab) to send you the address.I will sell some watercolors, prints and reproductions of my work.
Here is one of the paintings you could see here.

Saturday Farm Market in St. John's

2011-06-29T08:46:00.000-07:00

Last Saturday I got a stand at the Farm Market. Here a few things that you can do while visiting the Farm Market.

Buy flowers and vegetables from the wonderful girls from the organic farm.

Have a coffee and eat

Meet friends

Play sacky sack

Spend time with your family

Repair your bike at Ordinary Spokes

Delight: Bay Robert's View

2011-06-26T12:03:00.000-07:00

I paint urban landscapes, I don't paint nature. However last time that I was in Bay Roberts standing on a hill facing the see, surrounded by the amazing colors of lichen growing between the rock I have the urge painted it, at least I gave it a try, I felt challanged to reproduced this imposible colors...
First I did a sketch in my moleskine, that I alredy posted in my blog. But the next day I have to come back again to do a bigger watercolor. Gosh! I love painting outdooors!

The War Memorial in St. John's

2011-06-24T06:09:00.000-07:00

Probably is the port view or the fine sculpture, but the War memorial is a nice spot in the city. In sunny days kids play around with their skateboards.