Detail- Watercolor – Museo Bahia de Caraquez artifact…
There are three things to consider when talking about the fine arts. There is the object itself, say, the painting in the gallery. Next, there is the spectator who is gazing at the painting with varying degrees of attention. And finally there is the interaction between the two — which some insist is the actual “work of art.”
Hugh Curtler/Daily Gadfly-The Eye of the Beholder
Bahia de Caraquez-Ecuador –
This week’s quote came from one of Hugh’s recent posts. I’d like to hear your feedback after reading his post, though Ron Mayhew published a few images that same week that confirm Hugh’s observations. See Ron’s: At The Museum Looking At Art Distracted (Ron, I’ve been unable to comment, but suffice to know that I enjoyed the photos!)
Museo Bahia de Caraquez down below along Rio Chone…
This finds me writing from Museo Bahia de Caraquez (Ecuador) where I’ve been staying and working on watercolor studies of artifacts this week. It’s great to work during the public-viewing hours, but it’s blissful when working after hours! I’m sobered by the staff’s trust in my presence here as I meander between my favorite pieces, settle in and merge psyches with the ancient artifacts!
There are lots of heart-warming stories from my time here at the museum, but it’s time to go to work! I’ll leave you with a thumbnail sheet of the progress.
Have a good day, and see you again soon with stories and more images! Z
Wonderful, thanks for the discover
Quoting Professor Curtler. Very nice. I was reading this thinking where have I heard this before. Have a great weekend.
Ha! Thanks, and yes, his observations are sharp, as are yours!
Aw shucks.
Wonderful post, Lisa. Your work is beautiful, as always, and how wonderful it must feel to be there to do these paintings. I love the quote at the top, and will get to Hugh Curtler’s post soon.
It’s great to sit and stare at these artifacts ‘eye to eye’ in this very-special museum. I continue to be soberly honored to be given this opportunity.
So amazing Lisa to see your incredible watercolors – they bring the artifacts to life for us many miles away. You manage the medium incredibly well, the details and values are impeccable. Best to you for a lovely and healthy weekend my friend.
For me w/watercolor, it’s layer after layer after layer, and slowly the artifacts take on that life-like look… thanks!
That’s like what drawing does for me, especially when drawing water – the more layers put down, the deeper and richer it becomes.
A group of art students watched my work for about ten minutes today, and I stressed the importance of patience (the instructor said, ‘i told you!’ and to not hurry just so you can finish to see what it looks like. i said that many people can paint an average painting but few could be exceptional.. hopefully the final word helped them strive for higher standards.. that particular group is very impatient and sloppy w/their work!
it’s been great working at the museum. i’ll miss this great atmosphere! z
Spoken like the true master you are Z! Perhaps the inspiration of watching you work, gave the the incentive to listen to your valuable advice. I hope they took good care of you while you’ve been there – you need extra TLC these days.
they have been so amazing.. one of the guides said today that the guards are thrilled to have me here.. i think they probably have very boring jobs and rarely have an artist breezing beyond points, especially after hours. they are all polite, charming, gallant and doting.. i definitely need to write a post about the typical day at the museum!
Would be a great read Z! Have a wonderful evening ~ I’m calling it a day. Great to see you so active these days – all the best for a fantastic weekend.
Those are amazing water-colours!!!
Your watercolors are always so beautiful, no matter the subject.
ha! thanks. these studies have been challenging and rewarding.. it’s so nice to inspect the artifacts and get the essence on paper.
You always astound me! The guy with the ‘bandaged legs’ is such a favourite! Happy weekend, Lisa, and now I must go and visit Ron. 🙂 🙂
Beautiful, meticulous, vital work…
Thanks! It’s been a great gift to stay and work here this week.
The detail is amazing and this artefacts are coming alive under your brush Lisa. Thanks for the links to Hugh and Ron I will go over to their posts.
Many thanks, Lisa. And, of course, I had you in mind when I was writing that post!! By the way, you do beautiful work! It’s always fun to see what you are up to!
And at that time I was still crawling out from the dengue/chikungunya fog. I’m pleased to report that I’m much much better!
I find it enormously helpful to have someone explain artwork to me. I have ‘learned’ to appreciate a great deal of art in this way. Your posts and your art have helped me to appreciate yet more types of artwork. Sounds like it’s fun in the museum.
Yes, the week went well, and I traveled yesterday to attend a friend’s opening inauguration of her pen & ink drawings. Great show and many interesting people attended. Will have one more brief work session at the museum this afternoon.
Thanks for the ‘Did you know’ trivia; I just finished reading your post!
So glad your health and strength are returning!
I’m glad you’re feeling well enough to spend time in such a blissful place, Lisa. Yesterday an 87-yr-old man shared three beautiful watercolors of mountain scenes with me – he painted them at a program for elders, especially those with dementia. He handles paint so beautifully, layering subtle colors, a light hand. He resists going every week, then has a fantastic time as soon as brush is in hand. I thought you would love to hearing about it.
Yes, that is a beautiful story, one you should share with a larger audiencee. Wow, how wonderful that he disciplines himself and participates, and it is like going into another world.
I laughed and laughed — is that a cigar I see? I don’t know why I’ve never noticed the resemblance between these artifacts and three pieces I have from Mexico. It makes perfect sense that they would be “related.” I’ve just never seen it before. Maybe it’s your art that helps me to see them in a new way!
I’m so glad that artifact gave you a good-for-the-soul laugh! It’s one of my favorites at that museum, and the guide says that it’s a rolled coca leaf, but who knows?! I’m so glad that you like it! The long-term plans for the show will be a section with the ‘serious’ studies and then a section of those same artifacts set free in large paintings with explosive contempory colors. Or that’s the plan for now.
I’d love to see your Mexican pieces. Yes, I’ve seen artifacts in a museum in Guayaquil that have ‘cousins’ in a museum on Isla Ometepe in Nicaragua and spotted similar ones in a hotel’s collection at Lake Atitlan, Guatemala.
The pre-Columbian Indians of the Manta are and also of this ‘Jama Coaque” were excellent sailors/navigators, and they sailed balsa rafts great distances for trading/commerce.. There’s an impressive and popular replica of a balsa raft in the Bahia museum.
I’ll get some pics taken in the next few days. And that’s fascinating about the balsa raft and etc. I had no idea. I’m looking forward to what’s to come!
I’m home w/slow internet, but the search function usually loads, but main pages load usually without images.. i think these will show the raft:
http://www.casagrandebahia.com/bahiacutea-y-la-regioacuten.html
http://www.frommers.com/destinations/bahia-de-caraquez/276638
http://www.casagrandebahia.com/bahiacutea-y-la-regioacuten.html
i remember reading that a university class constructed one of these and tested it, i think according to an old description from early explorers.. sorry, there’s no way to check that now, but these links will give you an idea. perhaps you can pitch the idea to those sailing students in your neighborhood!
Lisa, the interaction between art and the spectator fascinates me. A good example of the unique interaction happened when we were exploring Museo Bahia de Caraquez…where you are now. 🙂 There was a woman bent in prayer addressing some of the small effigies. She quietly moved from one to the other, whispered to each, and I could swear that they each responded to her with a blessing. Her presence changed, almost like an aura of calmness surrounding her. I was in awe!
Your post reminded me of that woman and the special interaction she had with the objects. I am sure that you are emotionally in tune with many of the works of art in the museum, and I’d love to hear of your experiences.
wow.. what a great story! i am now wondering which ones she was near.. the large group collection of tiny valdivia (venus) women?
i returned home today but had a grand week. my next trip there i plan to sleep in the mornings, start work in the mid afternoon and work after closing hours.. it will be very quiet, serene, and possibly mystical during the wee hours of the morning.
thank you again for that story…
Yes, she was near the large group of tiny valdiva women. Here’s hoping for a mystical and serene trip back to the museum. Hugs mi amiga.
those are fertility symbols, and perhaps she was hoping /praying for someone to conceive or to prevent miscarriage or—- i will definitely ask the directora and the guides how often they witness that type of interaction with the artifacts.
yes, and you stay well!!!!