Pura Vida at Casa Zen

Casa Zen, St. Teresa, Costa Rica. This piece is almost square, 19" X 19.5", soft pastel. 

Started in Nov. 2023 and finished in January 2024

INSPIRATION: While on a trip to Costa Rica several years ago, we stayed at Casa Zen, in ST. Teresa. This place was almost right on the beach, and it offered yoga classes daily. When I went up to the 2nd floor to see the yoga studio, this is the scene that met me. Lot of light, in the direction of the beach, and this lovely patterning created by nature in the form of Palm fronds. 

Here I am, about to begin my demonstration at Gallery 203 in Old Montreal, at the opening weekend of Pixel Pastel, a national pastel show, last November. 

I decided to work on this piece for my demonstration, because I have been known as a soft pastel instructor for some time, working in straight on impressionism. I do love that method, but had been wanting to delve into new creative pursuits. So, about 3 or 4 years ago, I started experimenting with new methods that I thought were more in keeping with my true sense of creativity and curiosity. Since then, I've been painting a lot of things with pattern, a ton of colour, and layers of subject matter. I'm abandonning old techniques and not knowing exactly what will happen next. It's making the work so exciting to create. 

Here, you can still see the underpainting showing through. I wanted the underpainting to be somewhat electric and tropical. I intended on letting the undeprainting show through in some places, as the scene is backlit with full on sunshine. However, I was also aware of the patterning of nature, in terms of the palm leaves, and also wanted to express the repeat nature of the long leaves, the fullness and richness of them, and their colours. So it's a give and take of rich coloured leaves and the light behind, that is illuminating. 

 

Here I am with Myles Johnson, president of the Pastel Society of Eastern Canada (and whom I found out grew up in the Ottawa area!) One thing about my new direction in executing paintings, is it is more time consuming, and perhaps not a good choice for a time restrainted demonstration. I only got so far on the painting, and have been working on it off and on ever since at home. Myles and everyone at PSEC were marvellous. The space was full of light and the work exhibited was top-notch. 

At this paint, lots left to do. Working hard to soft, it's time to get out the softies and start really intensifying and enriching the established colours. I am not working dark to light, but rather palm leaves, then railing, back and forth.

Covering up more of the underpainting, you can see the palms slowly gain more presence.

At this point, I'm starting to add in other colours on the palms, of the same value, like purples and reds. 

Not happy with the light on the deck surface, I corrected my drawing there, putting in more detail, more accuracy. Also considering a consistent sense of light, on the railings, edge of floor, and an illuminated intense sense of the stained glass discs. 

I wanted to lighten the value of the floor, and have the darker area vary in value, left to right., adding to a consistent sense of light in the whole piece.

My goal as an artist these days is to create work that has a unique voice, but also work in which I love every step of the process. I cna saythat between the Peacocks series, Avalon, and Mother, and now this piece, I am well on my way of achieving that goal. 

This piece is framed white a light neutral matt and a ligth coloured wood frame, available for $899.00. If you are interested in this piece, please contact me at marg.ferraro@gmail.com