April 10,2010 Sunrise, Santa Rosalia

Taken from a photo I took standing on the harbor wall in September 2007. There were shrimpers working with lights before dawn that I came to photograph, and then I saw these fishermen out as well. Lovely memories.

April 10, 2010 Barn, Wagon, Tree

The only thing I truly enjoyed while doing this painting was the fact that I was sitting outside in a wonderful spring sunshine.

April 7, 2010 Argo on Tour

Another case of taking gross liberties with my subject matter. Argo on a river in England. Argo did not normally have her fenders displayed unless she was actually moored against a dock. But I did like the look of them in the relection on the water. This was enjoyable for me just for the simple fact that I so enjoy thinking back on my time aboard Argo.

March 28, 2010 From Kailua Beach

Another terribly overworked piece. Most of the overworking is not even evident in this miniturized photo, and it STILL looks overdone.

March 26, 2010 Baja Desert

This was an easy piece. But to make it more realistic I should have had no clouds in the sky. I do believe that 99.9% of my time in Baja I was subject to cloudless skies!

March 26, 2010 First Tree

First tree I produced after getting DVD's. Probably need to see the video a few more times.

March 11, 2010 Blue Sweater

No real source to this painting. Most all of it made up - and not important. The blue sweater, however, was like one my dad wore, a LOT.

March 10, 2010 Cardinal 80th Birthday Card

This was the card I gave my mom on her 80th birthday last month. She almost didn't get it. The cardinal seemed to have way too much black coloring and it just didn't look natural. About that time, I swear! , a live cardinal landed on one of the linden trees just out my window. Low and behold it actually had even MORE black coloring than this painted cardinal.

March 8, 2010 Wildflowers

These are wildflowers like you've never seen before for the most part. Because they did not come from nature. I made them up. Quickly. It was a possible subject matter for a birthday card but this one and several before and after this one never amounted to much. But I will be trying to do flowers in the future. I have a real problem with impatience in my paintings. I want to see the painting done before it's barely begun. Usually I don't even wait for the paint to dry on it's own. I yank the project to the bathroom and hit it with the hair dryer. Some watercolor paintings are many layers of paint. If the earlier layer is not allowed to dry sufficiently adding another layer will too often turn the combining colors to mud! I know. Impatience. Something else I need to work on.

March 1, 2010 Alpine Valley

Not much I saved from February. But now I have some watercolor instructional DVD's that have arrived from England. What a difference! The instructional books were very good, and I will continue to use them in the future. But to actually SEE someone doing a painting or demonstrating a painting technique has been so very, very helpful. Not that it will make an instant artist out of me. These DVD's are not miracle workers unfortunately. But seeing how something is actually done is what I have needed.
This is one of the projects I watched and then tried to reproduce. No, actually this is the 3rd attempt at this project but a much improved version certainly.

February 21, 2010 Dancing in the Moonlight

This was a no-brainer as some people will readily agree. Totally unplanned. I was just experimenting with a night sky. Before I threw the paper away as scrap, I threw in a few random slices of color. It reminded me of fish flying out of the water. I added a few more slashes of color and decided to keep it after all. I believe this is what is referred to, at times, as 'happy accidents'.

January 22, 2010 Pelicano

I tried so hard with this pelican,( or pelicano as I now think of them,) that I almost shredded the paper on which I was painting. Pelicanos are my favorite birds, and I wanted so much to do well on this rendition. This was from a photo I took of a pelicano who was standing approximately 3 feet from me atop the bow of Argo one fine sunny La Paz morning. This fellow was actually featured in an earlier blog post 'Pelicano on the Prowl' back in August 2009.

I'll be back to try this one again after I have more experience.

January 16, 2010 Blue Sailing

I have finally started looking at the watercolor books I have received. This is a tonal, or 'all one color' exercise. That's a sailboat on the water, and a far-away church or castle on the hillside. ( In case it wasn't clear from the viewing-LOL.)

January 12, 2010 Senorita of 16th of Septiembre, La Paz

This is yet another painting based on a photo from La Paz. The senorita was actually sitting on a fine horse leading a delegation of perhaps 10 or 12 other young female horse riders during the parade celebrating 2009's Mexican Independence Day on September 16th. Here she has been transported to a comparative wasteland, but the actual scene was more than I could attempt.

January 8, 2010 El Triumfo Cafe, San Antonio, BCS

I decided to try to use photos I had taken while in Baja as my subject matter. Then I took a lot of liberties with the photo. Not much to look at, the painting does bring back pleasant memories of having had lunch at the table shown in front of this historic building.

January 6, 2010 Dawn on the Farm

So much I didn't like about this one, though it was quite a learning experience -- but then they all are.

December 16, 2009 Christmas Card from Iowa

First watercolor project I was actually happy with. I sent this out as my 2009 email Christmas card.

November 9, 2009 Ron's Argo

Just testing the waters, so to speak. I left this behind for Ron.

LadyJane Has Left La Paz

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

It's been almost two weeks now since I left La Paz. I flew out of La Paz on Volaris on November 10th, crossed the border on the Greyhound shuttle, and spent the first night in San Diego. My bags were outrageously overpacked as it was so I was very careful with my shopping excursion along the San Diego waterfront and SeaPort Village.
Leaving San Diego via Amtrak's Pacific Surfliner train I found was quite a nice way to travel though it got dark too early--or the train left too late, for maximum viewing of the Pacific ocean along the way. We traveled to Santa Barbara where we were met by an Amtrak bus which took us on to Emeryville, Ca. There I once again boarded an Amtrak train, the California Zephyr, for the 2 day journey to Ottumwa, Iowa. Having a Superliner Roomette was wonderful. My own room, an enormous picture window with incredible views, two comfortable seats which made into a very comfortable bed and all meals and lots of extras included.

All told 4 days from La Paz to Fairfield.

I am very happy to be back in Iowa though I do miss my friends and my life in La Paz. And I shall return!! My life has been immeasurable enriched by the time and experiences I have shared in Mexico. My horizons have exploded. My interests and passions multiplied. So many people have become so very dear to me in the past two and a half years. As have so many doggie pals. I carry you in my heart. And my memories.

To those I left behind: Hasta luego. I will see you when I see you.
Same for those here and elsewhere.

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Watercolorist Wannabe? Just a try.

Yesterday Anne invited me to try my hand at watercolor painting. Not something I had ever tried before. But I have certainly admired so many of the local artists here in La Paz. So I gave it a shot. The upper photo is my rendition of Venice. No, those are not FAT BUGS in the lower center of the painting.

And this second painting is my rendition, copied vaguely from the next photo down in this blog, is a calata or a skeletal figure used during the Dia de Muertos celebrations. I had such a wonderful time doing these that I may have to try again when I get back to Iowa. Something to fill the long winter hours to come.

Dia de Los Muertos Celebration

November 1 and 2 are very important dates on the calendar for the Mexican people. Those two days the people celebrate Dia de Los Muertos or Day of the Dead. Mexicans gather together around family altars at home or the cemetary to honor their deceased loved ones. November 1st traditionally is to honor the dead children and November 2nd is to honor the dead adults.

The altars are decorated with photos, candles, flowers and food and beverages that were special to those now being honored. In spirit the food and beverages are consumed by the deceased loved ones who have returned to visit. After the deceased have had their fill the living will consume the remains.

At the Teatro de La Ciudad there were two nights of this celebration. We were witness to many of these family altars as well as traditional Mexican dancing, theatrical performances, music, wonderful food and the joyous celebration of the Mexican people.

Dia de Los Muertos ( Day of the Dead )

This was pretty much the first image one saw when entering the Teatro courtyard where the Celebration for the Dia de Los Muertos was held on November 1 and 2. An artistically displayed grouping of 60-70 lifesized (or maybe they were real?) skulls greeted visitors.

The altars were of such a wonderful variety! These men pictured looked like Mexican desperados to me. But maybe they were someone's family too. Even desperados have mothers and fathers. But if the skeletons overhead are any indication they were most likely heros of the Revolution of 1910.

Note the abundance of skulls on the table. Skulls, skeletons, coffins, and all manner of the macabre are seen.

Shown here is one of the special candies that are made for this celebration---sugar skulls!! Yummmmm. . . .

More of Dia de Los Muertos 2009

There were quite a number of family altars to view at this function at the Teatro de la Ciudad. Centered in the altar are photos of the deceased. Surrounding the photos are decorations of flowers, candles, offerings of the departed's most favorite foods and beverages. Specialty bread, Pan de Los Muertos, ( bread of the Dead) is a common feature.


This was a favorite of mine. It is a panga filled with the traditional needs and desires of local fishermen. The traditional foods, lots of cerveza (beer) as well as the paraphenalia of the working boats, the lines, and nets and anchors, etc. Pangas are the boats that the Mexican fishermen most often use to earn their living. These are not at all the fancy sport fishing boats common to the gringos who visit La Paz, but are the work vehicle for the fishermen. This panga was dedicated to ALL deceased fishermen.

One of the delicious features of this evening was the traditional Oaxacan tamales. They are flat tamales wrapped in banana leaves. Ron is enjoying his first Oaxacan tamale of the evening here.

Here are a couple of desperados !!

Catrinas--Live in La Paz

One of the highlights of my visit to Teatro de la Ciudad ( City Theatre ) was the catrinas. The living catrinas.

Actually, I am not at all sure if that is how these ladies are to be referred. But I haven't found another name for them.

To be found in many Mexican stores are skeletal figures which are dressed in fancy clothing, or tradional work clothing, ( I personally have a pirate and his lady dressed in green ), or even animals such as dogs and horses. They are all part of the Dia de Los Muertos and are called 'catrinas'.

For lack of any other more appropriate
term I refer to the living representations of these 'catrinas' as 'catrinas'. It is also possible that 'catrinas' only refers to the females dressed in such a manner.

Sometime after dark probably a dozen or so of these 'catrinas' made their way through the crowds, posing frequently for photos and later a contest for the best 'catrina'.

I never heard them utter a word but the expressions were priceless. I was in danger of becoming a stalker, most likely, in my bid to take as many photos of these creatures as possible.

Such fun, for everyone!!

All to honor the Dead, of course!

Captain Ron and the M/V Argo

My adventures in La Paz and Baja would never have come about had it not been for Captain Ron Miller. A Captain with over 40 years of experience Ron has made my time in Baja more than I could have ever imagined. Ron has lived aboard Argo for 17 years and shared Argo with me twice for 18 of the last 30 months. Despite my friends wondering why I would want to go back aboard Argo when she has 'tried to kill' me 'twice', I can only say that no matter what the circumstances, I knew Ron could handle any emergency. And he proved that during two instances that I felt were most definitely life threatening emergencies. His knowledge and skill prevented potentially devastating outcomes. During our 77 days in the Sea of Cortez in the summer of 2007 we experienced engine failure and started drifting toward very dangerous rocks. Ron kept Argo from going aground on those treacherous shores and we were rescued by Jim (Sun Hunter) and towed to Santa Rosalia and later back to La Paz, over 25o miles.
This past summer we had a blown water exchanger that allowed approximately 1500 gallons of salt water from the Sea of Cortez to enter the engine room. The water destroyed or damaged the engine, transmission as well as all the electronics for Argo. Water filled the bilges and started filling the v-berth. I had visions of sinking and either drowning in the Sea or being eaten by the shark I got a quick glimpse of when this emergency came about. But instead of Argo sinking, Ron was able to stop the inflow of water, obtain emergency assistance and pumps from Sea-tacean and a tow back to La Paz by a passing sport fishing boat.

I cannot imagine what would have happened with someone not possessing Ron's deep knowledge and understanding of boats and motors and all things to do with cruising in the Sea of Cortez.

Argo's Saloon

The upper photo shows the saloon, yeah, SALOON, as in old west bars, saloon. The photo is looking from the galley aft to Ron's stateroom. On the right is shown the dining room table, work table, computer table, crosswork puzzle work area, or whatever is needed for a work space. There is a doorway on each side. The left side has a nice comfortable chair sitting almost under the air conditioner. Attached to the ceiling are a number of rods and reels as well as a really wicked looking gaff.

The lower photo is the saloon looking forward from Ron's stateroom entrance. The table and seats is to the left and the comfortable chair would be on the right. In the photo you can see part of the v-berth which is down 3 steps and on the other side of the galley and forward head. On this level you can see the large windows overlooking the marina. To the right is the lower helm and navigation station. The radio which is never turned off sits above here. When cruising we don't use this helm much, preferring to be at the helm on the flybridge--up top. To the left in the photo is seen a nice little bookcase/bar area. There is also a Sirius radio and a TV which I have never seen turned on. The large bottle seen on the floor is a garafon which is what we use for our drinking water--5 gallon bottles of purified water. Almost hidden by the table is a squareish metal box which is our ice maker. No plumbing required. We manually fill it with water every 3 or 4 days and it continuously makes half sized ice cubes. Wonderful.

In the second photo the floor area that is relatively clear is actually the 2 hatches that cover the engine room below. Together they cover a space of about 4x5 feet.

Argo's Galley

If you would take Argo's interior and divide it into 3 almost equal sections, the forward most 1/3 would include the v-berth, the forward head (bathroom) and the galley, or kitchen. The galley is almost entirely Ron's domain, though I do fix my own breakfast (yogurt before yoga, oatmeal afterwards) and lunch (peanut butter and jelly sandwiches). Then Ron works his magic and produces gourmet meals each evening. Using a microwave, a convection oven, crockpot, George Foreman grill and large electric skillet he creates meals that I have devoured with such an appetite that I am constantly in need of larger clothes. No kidding -- unfortuneately.

Ron does all the important cooking, but I do help--I do the cleaning up!

Welcome to the V-Berth

Welcome to the v-berth which is 'my' room. The v-berth is the area of the boat just under the bow and is indeed in the shape of a V. This room originally held 4 bunks but Ron removed the upper one on the starboard side and I am so glad that he did. I can raise up without worrying about hitting my head. The two bunks on port side hold all my 'stuff'. The upper berth is holding my painting of 'Las Casitas Bonitas' by Frank Hills as well as my shower bag and a small rolling suitcase that holds mostly my journal and other paperwork. The lower berth holds all kinds of odds and ends. My suitcase doubles as a large drawer. I have a tray table that holds tea bags, vitamins and supplements, etc. The halogen light over the bed gets hours of workout every day/night. It's an excellent place to read. I also have a closet or hanging locker that holds mostly my shirts. I have two areas of 'bookshelf' in my room. One next to my pillows on the lower portside bunk and a smaller one that hangs from the mahogany slats on the starboard side. Under each lower bunk is also cabinets where we store canned goods, paper supplies, my tennies, extra engine oil, etc. etc. There is no wasted space on a boat.

The floor space in this room measures about 4 feet from the doorway to where the two lower berths meet and is about 3 feet wide at the doorway--not much space to have to keep clean!

Argo on a Clear Day

The past weekend was glorious and lucky cruisers all over the La Paz area headed out to sea. We didn't go but having boats out opened up slips and allowed me to have a better shot at taking photos--and I took a bunch!! Not unusual. This is a shot of Argo in her home slip 321 at the Marina de La Paz. Argo is a 50 foot boat, or trawler. The bimini is an awning which usually covers the flybridge but is still down and will remain so until the threat of a hurricane is over for the season-soon. We use the ladder on the dock to get to the door. The dinghy sits atop Ron's stateroom. The cockpit is in the far back. The flybridge is the area on the top of the boat. The bow, or most forward area shown sits above the galley, or kitchen, and the forward head, or bathroom as well as the v-berth which is 'my' room.

Anastasia

Last Friday evening Ron and I went to 'The Art Shop' where our friend Frank Hills had the opening of an exhibit of his watercolors along with two other artists, Mario Fonseca and at Solem. What an incredible exhibit of incredible talent!
Also at the exhibit was my friend Anastasia shown at the right next to one of Frank's paintings. Anastasia has been in La Paz for almost 2 months now. She is originally is from St. Petersberg, Russia and is on her own to see the world!! She has a lot of courage and determination for someone of her tender age of 22. She is much admired by the cruising community who have come to know and care about her. She really is a very fine young woman! You go Girl!!