Art by Diane Knight

I took a workshop on Alla Prima painting this past summer.  Alla Prima is usually done using oil paints but this particular instructor had mastered the technique using acrylic paint.  Right up my alley, as I’m allergic to oil paints.  I chose this particular landscape because of the sky.  The vibrant, colourful Baja sky!  And to think, I get to enjoy this view for a good part of the winter months.

Acrylic 14 x 11

On the first real summer day we’ve had this year, I welcomed almost 100 people to see my new studio space and my latest paintings.  I have been very fortunate to be able to use a loft studio space that a photographer friend of mine has replaced with a spacious, bright airy new studio.  Having a studio separate from my home but only 8 minutes away has added the discipline of working that I so missed.  The result of these past 2 ½ months were 7 paintings of both local harbour scenes and our life in Mexico.  My paintings were scattered around the garden as well as in the studio, which has about the best view one could ask for.  The big day drew people from the Horticultural Society who took in the gorgeous gardens in this ocean front property, people from the local camera club who came to photograph everything their eye could take in, and art admirers who just enjoyed the whole ambiance.

Visitors in the studio

Another set of visitors

The view from the studio - inspiring!

Another image that just had to be painted.  I’m finding more and more that certain images appear to just jump out and say “Paint Me”.  I love it when that happens!  These two young boys looked to me like they were sharing a secret.  The young one had such a mischievous look on his face and the older one appeared to be whispering something to him.  I wonder if they had managed to get out of doing some work helping to unload the truck or maybe they were planning to play a trick on someone.  Guess I’ll never know.

Hanging out with my Brother

Punto Lobos is the big fishing beach in Todos Santos.  The local women, often with children in tow, wait for the pangas to return in the early afternoon.  Often the fishermen will sell their catch from their panga, or fishing boat.  This sale is probably to a gringo as the locals are not as fussy about getting the fish filleted.  The freshest fish I have ever eaten.

Fresh Catch

Can you imagine living here??   We took a steam boat ride from Port Alberni to Bamfield on Vancouver Island and after we made our stops to deliver ice to the floating gas station and mail to the floating post office, we dropped off propane to this picturesque floating home.  I loved the colour combination of the  house with its metal roof surrounded by water, trees and the sound of nature.  It was one of those images that just had to be painted.

Surrounded by Nature

This brave fellow is a neighbour of ours.  He built our palapa roof over our casita a number of years ago.  When we needed someone to trim the dead palm fronds from the tall palm trees, here comes Domingo.  So that’s where he gets all the palm fronds to build the palapa roofs from.  Just a little aside regarding his name – when we contracted with him to build our roof, I asked him what his name was.  Now I admit that my Spanish is not great, but I do know how to ask someone their name.  So when he responded by saying “Domingo”  I told him it was alright if he wanted to start work on Sunday but I still wanted to know his name.  I’m not sure but I think maybe he was born on a Sunday.  Being a palmero is not for the faint of heart.  Qualifications include not being afraid of heights (some of these palm trees are 3 stories high) and not having a fear of large creepy crawly insects who live in the dead palm fronds.  The yellow shirt is a bit of a uniform.  The colour and thickness discourages bugs.  I think I’d be decked out in something that resembled haz-mat attire, in heavy yellow cotton of course.  Domingo is a good friend and this image just had to be painted.

El Palmero

This young women is part of an escaramuza team of eight riders, mounted on charro style sidesaddles who perform a string of complicated geometric movements at a full gallop.  They visited our small town of Todos Santos last year wearing the traditional full-skirted Adelita style dresses and this gorgeous wide-brimmed sombrero, the customary charro head gear.  Reminded me of a cross between the cowgirls who perform in the Calgary Stampede and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police musical ride.  Just a bit prettier!!

Escaramuza Rider

What is it with people?? I seem to be mesmerized by them. But how could you not love this little girl, clinging on to her mom. My first painting with mixed media – can you tell the mom’s blouse is colored tissue paper?

Innocent Eyes

So many people! This was a real challenge as painting people is quite new for me. I loved the way the little girls and their typical Guatemalan clothing turned out. Brings me right back to the zocalo in San Antonio where I snapped this photo.

El Zocalo

I had seen Nixie Barton use a comb with one of her fun mixed media pieces, so I bought a comb and thought I would try it out first on water and sand. Wasn’t sure how the flatter image of the girl would work with the combed part. But I love it!! Painting this was like having a play day.

Girl in Red Dress