Do geckos lay eggs?

yeeeess they do...OMG I found a tiny tiny egg on the floor today in studio. So i looked it up online and that is the only thing I can think of that has been in my studio and that lays eggs with a shell. mmmm. Not on my diet...I did go to grocery store today, PriceRight, like a BJ's. Bought some ceviche, wine and almonds. What else do I need? Balanced diet...right...right. But having spinach pesto with linguine tonight.

Blogging

I have been trying to figure out this blogging situation, I changed some setting by accident and it is not as easy as it has been in the past to blog. It is a chore now, so bear with me, I might even start another one, just because I am fustrated and gone through numerous help suggestions and troubleshooting hours (and hours and hours), so I will give a new blog address when I start the other one.

Anyway, life in Costa Rica is really nice, the weather has been beautiful here in the 70's, very windy today, but mostly sunny.

The Costa Rican National Symphony (the green hills are alive with the sound of music...lol), was last night in the town here, Cuidad Colon. It was fabulous, families and lots of children of all ages were there, the music was wonderful, and outdoors....everyone was interested and smiling, laughing, dancing...Carlos put a new doorknob on the back porch, made him some ginger tea...the yellow orchids I bought are doing well...the brilliant orange lilies are blooming in a tall vase...Bernarda and Isabella and I danced to Shikira...Isabella showed us how to belly dance, she is 8 yrs old..very funny...collecting things around property to study patterns, like leaves, seeds, pods, sticks, I know I am weird...studying my spanish...reading poetry...taking naps, sunning, cooking, finding colorful Costa Rican recipes...the lights all went blew out on my christmas tree, waaahhh

Angel Trumpets (work in progress)

You are too beautiful for words, that is why I paint you. I listen to the silent trumpets.
I just went up to the tree and they are all dangling and dropping to the ground. Expired.

Started this series of "Angel Trumpets". watercolor, pencil, colored pencil and who knows what jumps onto my paper while I work on them, maybe some gold leaf, maybe an insect, mixed media. I will allow whatever comes along to inspire me on this brugmansia journey this week. Starting off very abstractly and working on three paintings at the same time, here are two . . out of three . . . to be continued . . .thought it would be interesting to see how this series develops. Beginning, a middle and an end.

Sketchbook

"Allure"
(work in progress) mixed media 7 x 11

Worked on this new concept of mine today, good thing I am giving myself some permission to make mistakes....it is fun....been filling the studio with lots of flowers, can't help it, have no idea what kind they are but got to have them...saw the gecko today too..climbing around on my walls...frozen fruit drinks in my blender, making notes on the celebration in July, too many ideas, another beauty of a day...pool was lovely, talked to John (resident from RI)..he is moving to Panama the end of month with his adopted dog, Archie...library here looks better than last year, cushions on the chairs now, books in order, newspapers to check out, books on Costa Rica, ...looking into traveling down to Osa, the southern part, Cocovado Park. It will take some planning with my peeps whether we go by bus or fly or rent a car...so lots to think about here.

Getting comfortable in my home away from home...wine with Pat & Willy (residents) on Tuesday night...Bernarda made dinner on Friday night in my studio and we belly danced the night away with her daughter, Isabella teaching us with her bells jingling on her waist and the arms flying in the air, funny....Gaylord (poet) made chicken dinner for Vivian (artist) and I on tonight...really nice. Patricia coming Monday, no just heard Tuesday now, she wants to come down so bad, but her health puts her into a "status quo" mode..to be continued

Brugmansia/Datura

After posting in my blog today, about my favorite flower here in Costa Rica, this poem found me, literally, so I am taking it as my "muse" for the start of some wonderful paintings, of poetry, handwriting & calligraphic marks and inspiration...while they are in bloom...so cool when this happens to me. (with Lise's blessings) Listening to my intuition and experimenting. I have done some paintings of the Angel Trumpet before, but now taking it further into its intoxication.

Cloud Forest
by Lise Goett (friend I met at the artist colony last year)

The brugmansia’s slender, fluted bells proffer their deadly champagne,
their alluring, toxic flowers dangling as if they’d been gassed—
angel’s trumpet they’re called—as deadly as the single carbon

bound to oxygen you inhale, motor running. An acre of trees
for each ton of carbon load is packed up these Costa Rican steeps
by human hand, the forest canopy a lung.

You are carbon after all and to dust you shall return.
You are tired of the news, each day another hemorrhagic
wound: the drilling day, the trigger point, unctuous

plumes unfurling a Medusa’s head, a toxic gumbo spilling into dread.
On the path, by moonlight, just like you,
the ants are dismantling the jungle, leaf by leaf,

dragging it to their fire hill. Who would will their nature
or yours—your farm-fed fish, your terrerian gavage—
other than it is? They’ve been here since the start of time,

boring holes through leaves no one read.
Genius of the lazar house, petite ame bleue, how long
will your species live, the earth a spinning lazaretto?

The fleshlike bells proffer their perfume.
You are of them—their syrups of forgetfulness,
their gummy shades of night. How long will it take

to remake you, your soul no longer made of lead?
You held the handkerchief as the world danced to its demise.
The owl asks, “Who?’ You knew the answer once.

These are my favorite flower in Costa Rica, "Angel Trumpet",
the perfume is intoxicating and poisonous. Will be painting these
for sure while they are in bloom.

I am so glad it stopped raining, it is 81 degrees, just a gorgeous day, went to the "multiplaza" today with some people satyin here in the colony, Francisco took us in his huge silver pickup truck...I hat the way he drives. I have to close my eyes, the motorcycles, and people waiting to cross the street, small card darting from everywhere. Makes me sweat...or was it a hot flash?

Feeling like this is home away from home now after 5 years coming here. Drinking my papaya liquid lunch smoothie and eating ceviche...tonight Bernarda & Isabella are coming over for supper, we are making her "tica" dish of tomato soupa with avocados...and she has to check over a gift certificate I designed for her "massage" business, and then translate into Spanish.

I am settling in, art supplies are where they should be, I forgot a couple things, but will manage. Now I am waiting for the muse to take over...too much thinking. Makes me tired.

No madarin oranges yet on the tree near the pool, no bananas yet either on property that are ripe, place is full of people by the weekend, group dinner Monday night, bought beautiful orchid today for my studio, the ants have given up on crawling on my easel, after I dowsed with lysol three times, I put my string of lights on the wall in a xmas tree shape, looks cool...it is 3:30pm, and it is so still outside, no breeze...but pleasant and bright, energizing...ok

Rain....rain go away

wow, it is so green, lots of rain...raining now, I have a sweater on, it is damp for sure and my hibiscus tea is steaming, fog is rolling in between the mountains, it is nice to be back here. It's quiet, the mind, body and spirit is in balance...right now, will settle in today and work on some ideas for new series. This is not a real bird, it is a cut-out. silly...

Summer Blues

watercolor and acrylic

North Kingstown Arts Council Fall Class
Experimenting in Watercolor
Instructor: Lorraine Bromley
NK Res $55 Non-Res $75
Four Thursdays: Oct 14, 21, 28, Nov 4th 7:00pm-9:00pm ... Beechwood Center, NK

Each class there will be a demonstration of a watercolor technique with a focus and individual attention with specific exercises. Design, materials, subjects, and use of color will be discussed. Experimenting with abstract and representational concepts.

Everyday I Play

Inspired by a poem by Pablo Neruda
Recent Work
I am experimenting with writing tools, graphite, acrylic paint, and watercolor techniques. The expanse of time and having something to express with the possibility of understanding how words, and lines can form texture, meaning, rhythm and beauty.

Wickford in Bloom

"Delphinium"
watercolor 11 x 30
Garden/Home of
Mabes & Charlie Stamm
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Exhibit of all nine artist's work from the gardens of the event will be on display at the Nk Library for the month of Spetember...please stop during regular library hours.

Wickford in Bloom

Saturday, July 17th...Walking tour of seaside gardens in historic Wickford Village 10-3pm. Artists painting in gardens...I will be in the garden of 85 Pleasant Street, tickets sold at the Updike Park in center of town or at local businesses, early purchase discount. Day of tour $25.00. All proceeds go to NK Food Pantry

ALRI 10th Annual Exhibit @ RISD Museum

I have the honor of being a member of the Art League of Rhode Island. Eighty+ members will be showing a piece in this show.

Review by Bob Van Siclen in Providence Journal
http://www.projo.com/art/content/wk_art_column24_06-24-10_5IIUML6_v10.51bb102.html

Summer Exhibit Schedule

On-going exhibit-Wickford Cove Framing Gallery, Wickford, RI
May 6th-East Greenwich Main Street Sroll-Simon Says Cafe
June-Simon Says Cafe, East Greenwich, RI
June 17th-RISD Museum-Art League of RI
Art of Excellence/Group Exhibit

Friday Mornings-Watercolor Technique Classes On-Location
10:00am-12:30am 6 sessions $130.00
Various locations in RI
Call 617-595-5681 for details

Monday Mornings-Painting with RI Artists On-location
10:00am-?
Various locations in RI
Call 617-595-5681 for location

Other Exhibits TBA

Art League of RI Newsletter-Perfect Harmony

Look at page 5-6

New Series

This is one of a series of "monotypes", (one print)I have been working on. Watercolor and ink, based on square drawings that filled a whole sketchbook. I will continue to work on these in my home/studio this month. All inspired by the nature in Costa Rica, see drawings on the right side here from the sketchbook.

"Quotes"

Like a moth, I will probably return to the light of Costa Rica. Looking forward to returning to RI, now to my cottage by the sea. I will see things differently again each time I return home too. So much to see, feel, taste, experience. My drawings, paintings, and oh yea some silly poetry I think I can do anything!!! I think I am so great! lol Keeping things in prospective is a challenge, I am just an artist. Do I have a purpose?

Quotes
a poem by me

In quotes
there are tones,
In tones
there are flaws
so subtle are the cursive words

Black white
the shadows fall softly
a story of strength
In words, they fade in and fade out and
surround my body, mind and soul.

Happy Valentine's Day

Folk Art

The "bitch" trip

Me, Bernarda, Soizic, Isabella, Susanita, Hector, Gerry and David

The "bitch" trip...that it how I hear the CR's say beach...This is the group that went to Puntarenas last weekend, it was fun, we got lost and this was the only restaurnat/bar for miles, and right after this we got a flat tire. David (far right)and some wonderful Costa Ricans helped put the spare on the van. No problemo!

What will I do today? It is quieter here in Colon on Sundays, no traffic sounds, no bad muffler noises, oops I here I motorcycle, there is a new highway that is open now to the pacific "bitches" so less traffic going thru Colon. I hear it has cut the hours down in half. Yippee. Bernarda just called me on her cell phone from Panama border, they are on vacation and they wished I was with them, I should've really gone with them. mmm she says next year they are going to Nicaragua, and I should go with them. I think I would like that.
So what to do today, I have paintings to finish, but I love starting new ones. The pool has finally got water in it again after it had been cleaned and the water filled in after a week. I went in yesterday up to my thighs. Beautiful breezes this morning, writing this in my online journal. Went dancing again last night..it is just as fun to watch the men & women dance here, salsa, merenque, romantica. New artists coming in today, artists leaving one by one. Made myself a frittata, maybe that is not what you call here in Costa Rica, ran out of milk for my coffee, yuck. That is what I will do this morning, go and get milk, yes, ok then paint, then go in pool, then who knows what opportunity will come forth. I know this all sounds so trivial, right now that is the way it is. Lots of tasks, issues and problems back in RI I will face soon enough.

Armonia con la Naturaleza

"Armonia con la Naturaleza en Acuarela"

So much time has gone by since my last entry...sorry. List of events.
Patricia is back in Washington DC...healing. Wishing her all the best with her leg wound. Long story...
Aja & Stephanie visited me for a week and made fun of my dated language of blazers, fanny packs and skorts. Had alot of laughs
Ziplined with the kids, thought I was going to die!
Saw monkeys, howlers and capuchines, golden web spiders, red tropical land crabs, iguanas, and Scarlet macaws in the wild.
Swam in the sea of paradise.
Reception of my artwork at the National Gallery in San Jose, well attended, and what a honor, articles in local paper.
Seripique in December, new friends, old friends, new fruits, vegetables, pipa juice.
Love living in my bathing suit. Letting it all hang out.
Stomach virus.
Flowers in the morning, afternoon and night.
Fragrances of jasmine, cilantro.
Mountains of blue and rainbows stretch across clouded sky.
Dancing the Merinque, Salsa and Cumbiya.
Carol, Gerry, Holly, Hector, Carlos, Francisco, and our chauffeur Don
Pegueno Mundo, Ropa Americana, Super Mora, Auto Mercado, Open Market, hammocks, cowboy hats, birds of paradise, ginger, heleconias, watermelon and avacados, beans and rice...mojitos, margaritas, cass, tamarindo, coffee and corn fritters.
Annette modeling for us.
My dress looked better on backwards. lol...thanks Aja

My Costa Rican series.

Mericoles

I am finishing the datura flower painting, ruined another painting, completed a sudoku puzzle, taking pictures of all the art, I am just so busy. I have got to slow down...what a life here, huh?

My friend, Patricia is back in the hospital in San Jose, still with severe infection in her body from a cut on her leg. So scary. She is just not feeling good enough to even paint this week, fever, and alot of pain.

The sun is shining again today, weather is beautiful, the bamboo creaking out the window in the wind, sky is so blue.

Some kind of large green insect dropped on my computer last night, I saw it on the ceiling earlier and sure enough it fell! Captured it in a box and let it outside. It might have been some kind of cricket like with a almond shaped body. Will have look it up now.

Hey my announcement of my exhibit was in the Tico Times this week, oh boy now it will be so crowded...hee hee.

Feliz Navidad

Look what I found outside my door this morning, I have no idea how it got there....could it have been brought by, you know, someone magical.... mmmm?

Review

Ok, this is the painting, sorry the other photo of the passion flower was a photograph of one, sorry for the confusion. I know my paintings are good but not that good.....Moving right along, believe it, it is raining as I speak here, The first rain since I have been here, it is refreshing, I have long sleeves on this morning, drinking my hot coco, catching up emails, (lost internet communacado last night), oh no...back in the saddle. Bringing home Patricia from hospital today around noon, she will have a difficult time healing, but probably faster in more comfortable surrounding here in colony. She can at least do some painting here.

I working delinquently at my art, presentation skills are in order right now for my exhibit, some PR, other details as they arise, what a chore, looking forward to seeing it all up on the walls now. It's looking good. Check out smugmug account under "Art"...national gallery exhibit as I add new pieces to the slide show there. I am pleased with this 4 year series, I have been working on. It has given me momentum, a chance for exploration, discovery of new culture, new friends too. I could cry, I am such a whimp today, geesh. To be continued....

Buenas dias
I have been here for 2 1/2 weeksnow, I am being very productive, getting ready for this exhibit coming up January 5th, lots of stuff to do, PR, matting pieces, finishing pieces, working on new pieces. So busy everyday doing something here. Of course I take a break and go to the pool for about an hour, geesh give me break. After this exhibit I will be able to relax truly when Aja & Stef come down. I am so looking forward to them coming. Hopefully going to the beach and seeing more and photographing more of this beautiful country.

My friend Patricia here has fallen ill, she developed a staf infection in her leg. We brought her to the hospital on Wednesday, spent all day with her and she is resting and being pampered. Not sure if she will come home today, if so we will all pitch in and take care of her while she recoups.

It's pool time! Hasta luego

I know I am quilty of not attending to my blog this year, I am a slacker! I have to slow down...I am just working to hard here in Costa Rica...I am, I am, honest. I noticed I am not taking as many pictures than before, that is ok, I will run out of room on my computer anyway. I am painting alot, working on new work and working on older ones as well. My exhibit coming up January 5th, 2010 here in CR will keep me busy. Here is one new painting of Bamboo I just did today.

Two birds flew into my window and died today, so sad, a little yellow one and a tiny hummingbird.

Had to break into Diedra's studio, she locked her keys inside, broke the screwdriver to take apart window, reached on table and retrieved them....Success!

Friday going to a small B&B to paint the view of the canyon, great spot, open living room to set up in, might be there for a few days, just during the day though as a visitor, however I am going to the mountains with Bernarda to visit a friend of hers for an overnight on Saturday, should be wonderful ride. Hey I can even take more pictures, love to go to places I have never been before.

Orquideologia

Willy & Pat invited me go to an Orchid show in Grecia. It really was spectacular! Flowers in every color of the rainbow. They have a wonderful collection thmeselves, tiny ones to extrordinary ones. So I feel an "orchid" series coming on real strong. Boy this studio gets so hot in the afternoon, three fans going. Still working on my "passion flowers" piece, new this year. Hope to get more new ones done as well as finishing up all the others I bought down here with me. I decided to stay in tonight, others went to a concert in Colon. Drawing is on my agenda.

Bernarda took us for a ride to see a potential spot to paint near the canyon. The spot was a B&B, really beauitful called Casa Bella Rita, but really did not len itself to setting up in to paint for the dasy, so we found our familiar spot of last year to go back to realy soon. Not many places to pull of the road to paint, roads are thin and lots of cars whizzing by. So we are in a predicament sort of, looking for special places to paint other than the colony. I had some "ceviche" today for dinner, it was awesome and also a fruit/vegetable indgenious to Costa Rica, a small pepper-like shape and tastes like a cooked potatoe. Very good. Pejibaye , a relative of the coconut, is one of Costa Rica's most unusual treats. Pejibayes grow in clusters on palm trees, like miniature coconuts. The part that you eat would correspond to the fibrous husk, while the hard pejibaye seed, when cracked open, reveals a thin layer of bitter white meat around a hollow core. The bright orange or red pejibayes are delicious boiled in salted water, then peeled, halved and pitted and eaten alone or with mayonnaise. You'll see them sold on San Jose streets year a round. Their flavor is difficult to describe. They are not sweet, but more a combination of chestnut and pumpkin with a thick, fibrous texture. You can buy a racimo (bunch) of raw pejibayes at the Mercado Borbon and boil them up for parties, or you can buy them in the supermarkets peeled and canned to take home as souvenirs.

Passion

Well, the bells are ringing in the town because it is 6:00 o'clock, they ring twice a day, who needs a watch. Painted today...Passion flowers are in bloom at the poolside along with some purple flowers, white and orange too and of course green trailing leaves abound with litle curly vines sprouting about. Gorgeous, everything is green right now, December is green after all the rainy season has ended. There is talk about the orchids blooming too, have not seen them yet. A sight to see tomorrow, always something new to see everyday.

Now looking forward to going to an opening at the National Gallery where I will be exhibiting in January 2010.

In the Beginning

Settling in for the winter here in Costa Rica again. It's warm, the red passion flower blooming around the pool. There are some changes, new faces at the colony, some new roads leading to the coasts. Did some grocery shopping, prices not any dfferent than at home. I am ready to paint, experiment, discover and see things in a different light.

season’s GLITTER

It was winter and the wind blew, and the full moon’s glow captured the white snowflakes falling...ever so gently...down from the cold north like glitter, finally resting on my earth.

It was spring and as the currents shifted in the water on the cove, the paths of shimmering moonlight looked like glitter dancing across my sea.

It was summer and the night was warm, the landscape flickered with fireflies like glitter scattered amongst my roses and cosmos.

It was fall and the night was midnight blue, and the air was crisp with twinkling starlights that swept across my sky like glitter.

by Lorraine Bromley

Ukrainian Art Museum

Finally I got some confidence to find the art museum. It was worth it. Amazing works of art, from religious icons to contemporary artists. Small museum, but packed with diverse masterpieces. No photographs in museum, but did take many notes and artists names to research later. Ukrainian life in the early 1900's, winter scenes, oil paintings, graphics, & prints, were mainly exhibited.

Art-Music-Dance

Opera "Traviatta" was cancelled. So we walked with friends, Irina & Igor through a wonderful section of Kyiv, parks, architecture, fountains, views of left bank, lots of picture taking, history, rainbows, rain, subway, water museum, puppet theater, graffitti, monuments, stadium, listened to street musicians, watched some kids dancing in an open theater, a little bit of everything.

This picture with ribbons and locks is from a walkway called "The Kissing Bridge". It's where couples come to lock their love with promises together with padlocks, there must be thousands locked to both sides of railings over a main road into the upper city.

Ukraine Contrasts

The bed sheets are too small.......but a woman comes in to change bed every 4 days. Can not find a hamburger anywhere....but
There is a washing machine in our apartment....but you have to open it with a spoon. Can find prepared frozen shrimp in market ...but you can find the ones that you have to cut off the head, devein and shell. Walking everywhere is faster than taking a taxi or bus or subway. Outrageous styles in clothes in city...but quality is really bad and expensive. Buildings are beautiful on the outside and not finished in the inside. Bathroom has just a bathtub...toilet in another separate room. I think I am rather spoiled.
to be continued...

Some whimsical drawings of buildings inspired by the churches in Kyiv.

"White Walls of Kyiv"
7 x7 watercolor by L. Bromley

I still think I will put a few more details on this one, after looking at it now online. Went to the "market" today, small booths of the most outrageous clothes, leather, fur coats, book, cds, videos, pastries, kind of like outdoor fair where locals do there shopping, the malls are so expensive and not the best quality. You don't really buy clothes in Ukraine anyway. But the women really dress up, heels, skirts, dresses, they dress rather sexy. Raining now, but just passing showers. Bought the best nectarines I ever had. Been doing some sketches of many buildings, in B&W marker. One gallery the other day showed me work from different artists and some were just drawings, I would like to gather a series of drawings of Ukraine buildings for myself. to be continued

Kyiv Post-English newspaper..www.kyivpost.com


Walked and walked today to parts unknown, found a mall and bought a shirt and realized after I bought it that it was the wrong size. Well, I needed an interpreter to help me, it took in hour to exchange it, yes also needed my passport, 2 signatures, paperwork, unbelievable! Will never do that again, remnants of soviet rules.

The skies are very dramatic here, don't know if it is the time of year or what, but it is so picturesque, fluffy, big thunder clouds, all the time.

Lunch at Olivas, Italian restaurant we found and have been there alot lately. Atmosphere of an Italian kitchen with pots hanging and shelves of stacked wood and flowers, bottles etc..., one very important thing, they speak English, very reasonable prices and great food. Tonight, grilled cheese at home. I could use a beer, one of about a thousand choices, it is not considered alcohol here. There are "kids" walking around with big bottles of beer I see in hand all day. Young teenagers! Big alcoholic population here, with 40 kinds of vodkas made here in the Ukraine and the age at which they start drinking, it is a big problem, average life of a man is 62. Lots of pubs, lots of drinking. mmmm

Getting alot more comfortable getting around city, I think I will try to find the museums next week. There is alot of art here. Quite exciting!

"In the Moment"
Drawing of Main Street in Ukraine from Cafe House
black marker on napkin

Thoughts.......great meals with new friends...blogging, painting, drawing, discovering, sympathy, empathy, creating, loving, writing, journaling, photographing, discussing, traveling, wishing & learning.

Kyiv Walking Tour

Bubushka Flowers (detail), watercolor by Lorraine Bromley 2009

Finicular (Tram) up the hill, parks, mansions, monuments, monasteries, cathedrals, palaces, dramatic skies, artists, musicians, folk crafts, babushkas, lots of beers, cafes, embroidered shirts, scarfs, potatoes, crepes, flower shops, river, spectacular views of Kyiv and the most wonderful guide, Vlad.

I am having the most difficult time deciding what to paint!
(I know poor me.)

Thinking of you Aja, hoping you are feeling better today after your surgery.)

Trinity

The Museum of Folk Architecture and Rural Life was really quite amazing. This beautiful museum is set on over 150 acres of beautiful countryside on the outskirts of Kyiv in a small town named Pyrogove. It shows the spiritual and cultural life along paths, fields, cottages, gardens.Cal's friend Olga took us there with her son, we had a nice sunny day and a lunch where we tried all the traditional dishes, marinated vegetables, borcht, sweets, a drink made from fermented bread, hard to describe, non-alcoholic, supposed to be very good for you. I describe it as a bread tea.

Of course I took too many photos and edited for you to see the beautiful cottages and gardens. Spring was a great time to see this place when flowers are in bloom. Artist were painting, music, dancing and many woman were decorating for the "Trinity" holiday here with leaves tucked in every corner of the inside of the houses and outside.