On The Canyon

SOLD
Guanajuato is one of my favorite Mexican cities. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, not only because it dates back to the 1500s, but because of its location and evolution. This mining city, where the houses are all tucked into the canyon, has had its ups and downs during various centuries. Some of its famous silver mines are still found around the city. In the old times, these mines produced 30% of all the silver in the world, enriching the Spanish Crown and enabling it to build its powerful Spanish Armada.
The Guanajuato River used to pass at the bottom of the canyon causing great floods and massive destruction. To avoid this, tunnels were built allowing the city to grow above them.
Later on, the river was diverted to build a dam living the tunnels empty. In the 1950 city planers decided to use these tunnels as one of the main routes to direct the growing car traffic. The six existing tunnels are part of an efficient traffic system, which not only protects the city but allows it to keep its charming and historical down town.

Mountains with panoramic views of the colourful houses and historical buildings surround the city. Its many plazas and narrow streets, some of which can only be reached by foot, give this city a quaint and pleasant atmosphere. It is the home of many artists, some of them very famous like Diego Rivera.
Since 1972 Guanajuato host every year the famous “Festival Internacional Cervantino”, named after Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra, considered the Shakespeare of the Spanish language, and who is the writer of “Don Quijote”. The international festival presents dance, theatre, poetry, music and fine arts. One of the most uplifting happenings are the “estudiantinas” (group of young students) dressed in middle-age velvet costumes; singing old traditional songs; gathering in all corners and plazas; competing for the best “estudiantina” in the Spanish world.
This painting represents and contains some of the features I think are part of this unique city. The mountains with their rugged and stony surface, the colorful houses in all angles just holding on to the canyon, the colonial architecture of its many churches and convents, the resilient cactus trees found in its landscape and the clear blue sky of the Mexican highlands.

SEASONS

SEASONS

I grew up in Mexico basically with two seasons: rainy and dry season. When I moved to Europe I experience the changing of the seasons but I find that in Canada they are really dramatic. I love the changing of the seasons! I love colour so naturally I love fall the most because of the range of colours but each of the other three seasons offer very special moments.

Spring is short but powerful, flowers are in full bloom in just two days! Tulips are especially beautiful and that is why I chose them to represent spring.
$250

Summer is warm and intense in colour. Fuchsia, also called Mexican pink, is one of my favorite colours. I couldn’t decide which flower could represent summer so I chose a generic flower with five petals.
$250

Fall, the east-Canadian fall shows the warm reds, bright yellows and rusty browns. Nothing else can represent fall as a Maple leave. Not only is found everywhere but it is the symbol of Canada.
$250

Winter, the long and cold winter with its cool whites, deep blues and purples are reflected in a fresh blanket of snow. We can imagine, and at times even see, the geometric perfection of beautiful snowflake!
$250

Set of four framed watercolours $850

ISSAC'S ART SHOW

Painting by: Gerald S. Smith

A first class setting and gourmet food are the best combination to highlight vibrant and colourful art!

For the second year Issac's in Stittsville, a first class restaurant & conference centre, has invited over 20 local artists to display their art. The spacious conference rooms are filled with natural light allowing the art to be viewed in all its detail. As an artist I appreciate the possibility to exhibit in such a nice place.

I am looking forward to see you there!

Stittsville Artists Studio Tour 2009

Once again I am taking part in this artists tour. I cordially invite you to visit the Stittsville Artists Studio Tour 2009. This year we are 12 artist, all residing a few blocks from each other, in our quaint town of Stittsville. Each artist offers something different from traditional landscapes and watercolours to mixed media and abstract or one of a kind soap stone pieces. This is a self guided tour and you can get maps by visiting our website:

http://www.stittsvillestudiotour.com/ where you can also find more information about the artists and their work. This year we having a draw! You have a chance to win an art voucher valued at $120 towards the purchase of a piece of art of your choice. Visit the 12 artists, fill-out your ballot and good luck!

Hope to see you on Saturday or Sunday!

Fund Raising Events

"Pink Ladies" donated to the
Canadian Tulip Festival.

I feel very privileged when I am asked to donate my artwork for a good cause. In previous years, I have donated my work for various causes including the First Presbyterian Church in Brockville, 2006; Habitat for Humanity Stittsville, 2007; The Boys & Girls Club of Ottawa, 2007 and the David Smith Youth Treatment Centre Ottawa, 2008.

This year I was part of two fabulous events.

On October 2, the Big Brothers Big Sisters Ottawa organized the “Big Art in the City” fund raising event at the Crown Plaza Hotel Penthouse, where we had a cocktail reception inspired by New York but surrounded by the nightlights of Ottawa. To feel like in NYC we had the hot dogs, the pizza and the pretzels with mustard; people mingled with musicians, buskers and featured artists, while the silent and live auctions presented art from well know Ottawa artists and upcoming ones like me.

The second fund raising event was on October 7, organized by the Canadian Tulip Festival, at the Cartier Square Drill Hall in Ottawa. This event was a “Culinary Celebration and Vintage Wine Auction” where we were presented with succulent food, provided by various Ottawa restaurants, and delicious Canadian wines and cheeses from the Prince Edward County region. There were many unique wine lots for the silent and live auctions. About ten fine artists took part in this event and we all were happy to see that our works of art were part of such first class event.

Autumn Glow

"Autumn Glow" was featured in the InsideOut section of the Ottawa Citizen on September 12, 2009, as part of an article titled “8 RULES for artist studio tours” written by Peter Simpson.

Leaves are one of my favorite subjects, especially in the fall. I love the fall, with all its vibrant colours and wonderful light! The maple leaves are very inviting to paint because of their colour range. I enjoyed very much paintings these three leaves. Their translucency of the warm sun challenged me to paint the reflecting details of the fall changes.
Custom Framed $ 700

In the Beginning

One of my granddaughters wants to be an actor for television and movies. She has always had the flair for acting and dressing up.

When she was about two years old, I captured her in a photograph; standing in front of the mirror, trying out my colourful berets and scarves.

This year she moved to Toronto to study acting, and I thought, what a better idea then to give her this painting called “In the Beginning” for her to remember that special moment when she already new what she wanted to do.

Not for Sale

The Talk

Honorable Mention in Acrylics - SOLD

I belong to various art groups/clubs and one of them is the NFAL - Nepean Fine Arts League. This group of artists organizes every year a "Member’s Night" celebrating our artwork with a juried show, which is exhibited at the Centrepointe Gallery and Theatre in Nepean.

Each participating artist brings one painting to be selected by the jury, who gives prizes in the various categories. This year I entered a painting of my daughter and granddaughter having a “talk”.

It is an acrylic painting called “The Talk” representing a time in Mexico when we all went on holidays. The art show runs for a few weeks, and on one evening, all artist get together to commemorate the year and to celebrate the prize winners. I was very proud to have received an Honorable Mention for this painting!

Triple Splendor

Second Prize Winner in Watercolours

I love orchids, and every year, I paint some of my favorites to be exhibited at the Ottawa Orchid Society show. This annual show exhibits live plants, flower arrangements, paintings, photographs and sculptures of all types of orchids. These magnificent flowers inspire artists to reproduce them in various mediums. I love to use watercolours because this medium gives me the opportunity to demonstrate in detail the beauty of these exotic flowers. This year I entered the show with “Triple Splendor” a one-piece painting of three different orchids, framed in a shadow box, giving an effect of being hidden behind the glass. To my surprise, it was selected as the Second Price Winner in the watercolour category!
$ 500

Mexican Art at CASA LUNA

Mexican Art in Ottawa!

In the Latin American setting of


CASA LUNA

Amid exotic furniture you'll find original art pieces of Mexican settings, its people and landscapes depicted in warm and vibrant colours to complete your Latin America decor.


"Nena" invites you to visit CASA LUNA and view her new collection of Mexican Art, among hand picked items, personnaly imported by Diane Dumas and Alex Grooscors from all over Mexico and South America.


Visit http://www.casaluna.ca/ or call 613-834-8774 for direction to 4240 Innes Rd. Suite J3 Orleans ON


"Josefa" a large watercolour was featured in the Entertainment section of the Ottawa Citizen on July 11, 2009 as part of this on-going exhibition.

"Josefa" $795

"La Terraza" $795

"Guana I-II-III" $850

Faithful

Hydrangeas have a long life; some can be admired by various generations. They flower profusely, with large round clusters of little flowers, that can be as big as a dinner plate. Their splendorous colours range from pure white to various shade of pink, move, blue and rich purple. I called this painting “Faithful” because these plants bloom year after year, but also because it was done for my daughter’s best friend, who I have known since they were little girls. All through the years, they have kept this incredible friendship helping each other during the ups and downs of life…yes, they are “faithful” friends!