Victoria Day

Yesterday was holiday in Canada. It was Victoria day. It is the day when Canadians celebrate the birthday of the Queen. Although the Queen now is Elisabeth II and yesterday was not her birthday. It is a moving holiday, that means that not matter what, Canadians get always a long weekend. In Newfoundland* people usually go 3 days camping not matter how bad the weather could be.
It was a cold Monday but sunny and I went out to paint. At the end I didn't paint any architecture, it was too cold to stay a long time sitting outdoors but I got fascinated by the light falling over people faces. I walked up and down Water street exploring the city looking for things to paint and from time to time taking refuge in Cafes where I could upload myself with warm drinks.

In front of Hava Cafe, Water Street

In front of Coffee & Company, Water Street

I was waiting for my bus to go home and I sat in the steps of a veranda in Gower street. I started talking to George who was enjoying the sun on his face, I could no help it, I have to paint him. I am very proud of this last one cause I just had 10 minutes to catch it before the bus arrived.

*I wrote Newfoundland, because Canada is a big country and I don't know much what other Canadians do. On the other hand Newfoundland was not part of Canada until 1949, something that people mention to me quite often as trying to underlined that they are different.

Painting outdoors

Is there are reason why all the houses in St. John's are so colorful? Probably the bad weather induced the people to choose colors that make them happy. The spring weather in St. John's is quite disappointing, with many gray days. However when the sun shines the city show its beauty in a glow of color. with such an intensity that it is a delight to paint it. The Gower street is the most important heritage street in St. John's. An emsamble of old wood houses.
For this watercolor I started to paint the shadows in order to catch the moment in case I have to move or the weather conditions changes, but that have the consequence that from the beginning I obtain a strong contrast in the painting.

The Santa Maria Manuela was in St. John's

Two days ago a schooner arrived in the port of St. John's. The last time the Santa Maria Manuela from Portugal visited Saint John's was many years ago. Then after some conflicts about fish quotas around Newfoundland all Portuguese Ships were banned from Newfoundland. (Now when there is no cod anymore, due to overfishing they are welcome again)
This is the first time I draw a schooner, it is a beautiful experience to understand how something is made, seeing something for the first time, appreciating the craftsmanship in such an elegant boat.


A painting for the deck of the schooner offers an unusual view from the port

The Battery Road

I did this watercolor based on a photo. The weather was too bad to go outside. In rainy days I stay home and experiment with colors. For me these three months in Newfoundland is a great time where I can dedicate myself 100% to paint. Before most of the time painting was something I did in my free time. When I was in UAE I didn't have much free time from my work but I use every free minute to do sketches. I guess I felt a little restricted painting just in my small sketchbook so right now I guess I am exploding in colors.

I posted some outdoors sketches from the Battery here

A nice day outside

It was a beautiful sunny day. In day like these I love to paint outside. I was sitting in a small park where the Gower Street begins.
By the way I found a nice window to paint in rainy days. I was painting in Gower Street and a guy came out from his house and said that he had a very nice view from the bow window in the second floor. People in Saint John's are really friendly. I visited him yesterday to check the view and he invite me for a warm tea and we had a nice chat. Painting a city is not only about buildings but also about its people and how they feel there.
Ah! He was right: The view is wonderful!

The sweetest place in Water Street

I look likes a fine bakery with all these delicious cupcakes around you but actually is a Soap Skin Care shop.They have the lab in the back of the shop so you can see what are they cooking, excuse me, preparing. The lab looks like the perfect kitchen. On the right of the sketch you can see the soap cupcakes in the trays as they have been just out of the oven. This is one of the fantastic places in Saint John's. I know that it is difficult to believe but you can check them in the following link: www.tvalskincare.com

New press page

Hi people,

I just added a new pages in my blog, a contact page and also a page with a recollection of articles and interviews about me. I still have to add some publications, but I have to scan the images first.