Sunshine Palette Mexico Part 2: The actual artwork on our trip

Barb, from Ottawa, captures the deep rich jungle background, with light interspersed, prayer flags keeping it playful, along with the purples and yellows on the ground. 

 I want to say a word or two about plein air painting. In this current art world, where many people are tracing photos, and many of us are even using photo reference, my hat goes off to the brave men and women who go outside on location, and paint what is in front of them. It's the most challenging thing any artist can do. Not only does it challenge your drawing skills in ways that studio work can't, my students are also learning to employ good compositonal skills at the same time. Lots of process work, while many subjects are experimented with. This ensures that even beginners make paintings with solid compositions. 

                                           

                Gail, from Angus, Ont., paints ocean views, with fence and the fullness of the gardens. 

There's nothing like several days of just waking up, having a lovely breakfast you did not make, having no excuse, no distractions, just time to paint, satisfy ones' curiousity on many ideas. 

                                                   

Miriam, from Ottawa defies the rules of composition with interesting split of the picture plane, and expresses herself with wild colour. 

As the teacher, what was really nice for me, was knowing where everyone was, with not too much distance between. It made it easy for me to keep on top of what everyone was doing, when they'd need my help.

Barb, from Shanty Bay, Ont. worked an a dark ochre pastel paper, and played with values, and how to create depth through values. The flower is more detailed, the back varies between some leaves and some soft vagueness. 

Another great thing about being a group, was sharing ideas, seeing different interpretations of the same subject material, appreciating unique viewpoints. As a teacher it is amazing to see so many different ideas culminating in many paintings. 

           Judy, from Clinton Ont., expresses depth, light, and subtle colour change in the ocean and sky. 

Many people who ask about my trips think you have to be an expert to go on a painting trip. Not on my trips! This trip to Mexico had some people who had taken my basic intro to pastel class, but had other art classes, knew how to draw and use other mediums. One person came from B.C. who had never studied with me before but had pastel experience. Many had several years of pastel work, and some had been on many of my trips. So the students level runs the gammet from beginner to advanced.

                                                   

                             Lynn, from Vancouver Island captures a delicate light on this Welcome plant. 

My job, is to guide everyone to start off simple, challenge yourself with realistic goals, build your portfolio of works, be on top of who needs lessons on whatever, and to have in depth discussions on confidence, future ideas, developing your voice and anythign under the sun. 

Bev from Toronto brings a solid drawing, bold colour and a unique idea of what constitutes a solid composition. 

Time is spent on photo management, and making in the moment decisions about what can be painted plein air, and what may be painted in the future from a photo. After all, even if 10 days seems like a lot of painting time, there's no way you can try out all your ideas while there. How to make the most of all the images you see?

Margo from Newmarket knew to isolate herself and sink into a delicious drawing that will remind her of our wonderful trip together. 

The thing to do, is to write a journal, take photos, and let the most exciting ideas rise naturally to the surface. Trust that process. In this way, the trip can last a lot longer than 10 days or two weeks!

Koreen, from Langley B.C., started off the trip with a solid painting of sky, ocean and the gorgeous Bougainvilleas that abounded.

On a painting trip where you are not spending tons of time on the road, one sinks in, warms up, gets a few pieces done, and falls into a groove. Things start to flow, compositions improve with every painting, ease replaces angst, and you remember why you love art. 

Nancy, from Ottawa, created this seemingly simple work, which would take time, skill and care to observe each leaf, it's particular shape and place within the design. In our busy world, it is a luxury to take the time to do nature justice. 

Margaret, teaching in a very relaxed atmosphere. 

We had many presentations on thumbnails, composition, drawing, still life, slide shows, and colour. In between, when breaks were needed, we'd swim in the ocean, laugh, talk a lot, swim in the pool, enjoy happy hour and relaxation time as much as the painting time. 

Stay tuned for Part three, where I talk about my own work on our trip, drawing, thumbnails, field sketch and pastel painting, start to finish.  See you then! 

Sunshine Palette Mexico Part One: Puerto Vallarta and Nayarit

This March (2025) 12 brave Canadians left the winter behind to adventure ourselves into warm climates on our trip, Sunshine palette Mexico. Here we are outside of our home away from home, Casa Buena art retreat. We were located about 3 hours north of Puerto Vallarta (by bus), right on the Pacific Coast. It was a beautiful blend of established students from the Ottawa area, and a couple of Canadians from as far away as B.C. 

Our adventure began a few days before, when people arrived in Puerto Vallarta, and we all gathered together to enjoy the cultural activities around beach walks, sculptures, gorgeous mosaics, many art galleries, interesting historical architecture, and out hotel, which was a cornucopia stuff to paint! 

Gorgeous mosaics everywhere. 

Our first night out in Puerto Vallarta, eating at a seafood restaurant, PV's speciality.  

Artwork, including sculptures and murals abounded, as well as many galleries. 

Church of Our lady of Guadaloupe, Puerto Vallarta. 

Many streets adorned with flags, or umbrellas, to provide some shade for the many visitors. Pretty, and nice to paint. When you are on the move and can't, or don't have time to paint, a photo reference for after the trip also works. 

And now, on to Casa Buena Art Retreat, Nayarit, Mexico. 

After 3 hours of driving, and stopping to shop at the open air markets of Sayulita, we finally made it to the retreat. Since I've posted the picture of the main building with pool many times, I thought I'd show some other sides to the retreat.

Trees and bushes, flowers were everywhere, which means plenty of subjects to paint, and plenty of shade to create in comfort.  

The absolute abundance of Flowers

Bougainvailleas of every colour imaginable.

Halyconias, also many types.

Morning glories. 

The palm tree were beautiful, but as you can see, we had many multi-coloured floral choices

 as well. 

You didn't have to go far to get amazing views of cliffs, water and sky or mist. This was an early morning shot, which burnt off easily as the day warmed up. the weather could not have been more perfect. 

Potted plants, how much detail? How far away? Many ways to figure this into a painting. 

A few side trips to photo other subject matter. In these instances where there was nowhere in the shade to paint, we'd stop for a photo opp, and keep going. 

The sunsets did not disappoint, nor did the sunset challenges. A lot of learning was had by keen observation. 

Spending all day together, sharing meals, painting or swimming, you get to know the other artists on the trip very well, and in a comfortbale way that you don't get from a weekly class. This, is a shared experience, under very relaxing circumstances. 

Of course, this is just a sampling of what out trip was like. Stay tuned for part 2, where I go into much more details about what was painted. 

Til then, Adios.