Tradition

January Artists 2008
(L) Christine, Sean, Donna, John, Holly, Nancy, (R) Irene, Charles, Bonnie, Francisco, me, Susan

Started a new tradition at the colony, taking a group picture. We are all painting each other or have a book, that represent our art. I think they all thought it was going to be stupid looking, but it came out really great. I love it, except for my cleavage. Francisco has hire me to take more pictures for the colony's website. So, today, depending on weather of course, I will spend a few hours taking some property shots. I feel privileged. Fransisco & I will go and get a nice print of the group next week. He wants one with out him in it, but I like the one with him for this blog.

Carlos, Fransisco's brother, not in picture took us on a mystery ride today too, and the views were spectacular, I think we drove about 3 hours, thinking we were going swimming at a waterfall, and 3 hours later reached to pacific coast, (I think he forgot to turn off somewhere.) The beach was vocanic, black sand and it was more of a cargo port, but still alot of beach goers, and not the prettiest beach I ever saw. But it was hot! Sometimes its just the journey and not the destination I realize. The trip to the pacific was an adventure in the back of a pick-up truck, the whole way, I took some great photos of the landscape. This coteza amarilla tree was one of the highlights of our cross country journey. On the way back we spend most of the ride laying down because passing police cars we were lucky not to get stopped, being illegal to carry passengers in back of the truck, so we made believe we were melons. lol

Mission Achiote

Ok, yesterday Carlos, Christine & I went for a jungle walk. I mean the jungle. He took his machetti, which is like carrying a jacknife to Costa Ricenses. We had to mark the trail as we plowed through brush and leaves. It was a thrill! I can't even beleive I did it. If I had understood his broken english about where were going I don't think I would've gone. But I was stuck ( didn't want to be a whimp) and so glad I went and trudged behind Carlos through this jungle. He told me we were going to find the "Achiote" tree, he knew the area it was in, but we had to climb down steep paths and up again with really not much of a pathe because everything grows so fast here. We climbed over gigantic ant hills, saw the biggest "elephant tree", crossed the river in our shoes and found the achiote and it was lit up by a stream of sunshine, I felt we had found the hold grail). The tree has these red fruits on it that CR indigenous people use for face painting in their rituals and it is used as a natural "red-orange" food coloring also. Also known as the "Lipstick Tree". It looks like a fruit, but it is a flower that turns into a pod with red seeds inside when crushed turn into red paste. I am using it as watercolor in some of my now recent paintings while I am here. We also saw the property owners beating beans. They gather dried tumbleweeds with the beans attached and then two men beat the dried brush with two bamboo sticks in each hand until the dried beans fall to a collection at bottom, little red beans. What a day, my muscles in legs are killing me today. It was quite a hike and I got some great pictures.

Quintessential Costa Rica

Daily life is quiet now in the colony, subdued and peaceful, this tico culture doesn't hit you like a ton of bricks, I know I have not written in the blog, I just felt I had nothing to say and so much to say. I am trying to figure out how to make uploading pictures easier to the blog too. I think I found it but have to try a few things first.
My spanish class was really interesting today. We had 3 in class and conversation was flying in spanish, not from me though, but I do find it mush easier to understand it, than speak it. Its hard to start off a conversation, I get stuck.
Last night we went to an opening reception for a few artists exhibit at the National Galleria, it was wonderful, Charles, Irene, Donna, and Lynn. Great space, it used to be a prison 100 years ago, and then to be knocked down, now a National Galleria. kind of eeiry, vault-like. You can see where all the cells were with wrought iron gates, stone, castle sitting amidst a run-down section of San Jose.

Above is another wonderful, inspiring artist's business card, Christine.

A Room with a View

Its been kind of quiet here, except for the wind. I went for a walk to Colon today, by myself, I usually tag along with someone that knows spanish, but I was feeling like I needed a walk and I did not want to bother anyone. Went to town, brought back some DVD's due and did a little grocery shopping, Took some pictures of course. Hablo muy pegueno espanol. Climbed that ?//$%#$ steep hill back to colony. Been talking to Cal everyday. I miss him. Wishing he was here to enjoy this time with me.

Praying Mantis Visit

The other night a praying mantis was climbing on the outside of my door. I swished it off as I opened it and it dissappeared. Then Holly came to me in the morning and said, if I wanted to take a picture of it, it was on the porch below me, so I did, they didn't come out very good, then that day it came back to me, stayed with me all day & night on my window inside my studio. So I thought maybe its a symbol and I found this meaning, "Follow Mantis" means putting that core aspect of yourself, your foundation of Spirit, at the helm and let it direct your intellect and ultimately your life. Something to ponder today, this morning it is not on my window anymore, it is somewhere in the studio. I hope it doesn't eat me up!

We had a Friday night dinner instead of Wednesday night and Francisco introduced us to the new director Bernarda, my spanish teacher. She is a great choice and so glad she accepted the position, she is Costa Rican, knows what to see here and how to get the arrangements made, a Spanish teacher, kind and pays attention to detail

Art Journal

Aprendo..I learn

Spanish class today on the verbs..so I am learning mucho about Costa Rica, its language and it's culture and nature. I am getting an itch to travel to the Carribbean side of CR though. Not sure how I am going to do it yet, I have been surfing the internet for just the right comfort zone, whether to just take a bus to Limon or take a tour from San Jose. Something will bring an opportunity. I am going to finish up some paintings today I think. I have 9 paintings in the works. I sold one on the 1st of January, how nice to start the new year off this way. Barry & Alice are the proud owners of Las Montanas de la Mariposa..Butterfly Mountains. I am tickled they have a connection to it. It is pictured in a past blog from last week. below.

So, I am going to take it easy today and tomorrow, cause I still don't feel 100%. oing to stick around and just paint.

Life and the Universe

The first day of 2008, a day of reflection.

Butterfly wings, green hills upon green hills, the fog and clouds, fields of purple flowers, rushing waterfalls, chanting, feeding my soul, unity, companions, patterns, practicing love for family & friends, awareness of responsibility, the wind, colors, direction, exploration, meditation in motion, gratitude, peace, cleansing of the body after being so sick, a refreshing swim in the pool, the warmth of the sunshine, insects, orchids, geckos, bananas, papaya, tangerines, pineapples, limes, limes and more limes ....and hopscotch?

I noticed a big blue inkspot on my favorite gray tank top, don't know how it got there. Susan made it into a piece of art for me, "Hopscotch in the Rain".

La Pas Waterfalls and Gardens

How appropriate that we should visit "The Waterfalls and Gardens of Peace" on the eve of 2008. That is all everyone wishes for so often, is peace within and tranquility. How do we add tranquility to our lives? You can get back to me on this, I would love to hear my friends responses to this, finding some insight on why you're here, what it's all about anyway, I wonder and am in awe at what some can endure -- and are these reflections inner peace? And I heard somebody say " Your life need not be solitary, poor, nasty or brutish. It will be short -- so why not seek as much peace and tranquility as possible? Is it relative to being happy? Content? What would make you happier than you already are? More money? Greater power? How much more power -- would you want to be the "supreme ruler of the universe" or would a few subordinates to boss around do the trick? In a way, it's like fitness -- if it were effortless to achieve, everyone would look and feel great. I am getting so philosophical in my old age, or is it this "Pura Vida?

Girls Night

A Dinner for Patricia
Garbanzo beans, foccacia, salmon, salad, brocolli, some other stuff i can not remember....Well, all her left overs came to my studio too, (stuff, I never heard of like vanilla flour, guanbana pulp?) and so we all ate a pot luck meal, sharing, stories of men, art and wars. No not really, not in that order anyway. Patricia leaving at 4:00 am for airport. Wondering if she will wake up in time with a broken alarm clock and a flashlight she's lost. Delightful to have met such a practical, sincere, talented, independent, wise woman and fellow watercolorist. I am a Patricia wanna-be.
I maybe sensed we all are PTF wanna-bees in one way or another. Ishil, Fabria, Susan, and I.

Inspiration & Energy

Open Studio Tour was a success!

We started at Patricia's casita, and we indulged in libations, salmon hor d'ouevres, and pineapple, she is a very accomplished watercolorist, in galleries around the country and works very large and only on-location and up close. She worked on a wonderful tree with intertwining branches and orchids, stunning, approx. 70" x 30". We have talked about getting together sometime in Washington, DC. She leaves here on Monday. Another painting shown on right, watercolor by Patrica Tobacco Forrester.

Ishil graced us with her poetry, memoirs of a love, that brought tears to my eyes and when she played the guitar and sang about a poor family in Africa it blew me away. She will be in the colony another couple weeks.

Fariba shared her art of tiles with photos of family taken back in the 60's collaged with her own photos and then transferred onto tiles. Beautifully designed and executed into exquisite decorative pieces which will be installed repeatedly with unexpecting patterns.

Hilary & Christian's music inspired collaboration, she using her tiny, whimsical shapes to create these wonderful images of 2-D circuit-board-like art (dozens) while listening to Christian's "techno-meets-mantra" music that he has invented with joysticks and computer sounds. This was so fascinating to see a couple work so close together and be inspired by each. Now that is a relationship that works. Check out her website listed on the right sidebar.

We came to my studio and all my unfinished work hanging and I explained my transition and exploration this year with these landscapes. I also had a slideshow of photographs going on the computer with music. It was impressive. lol Really impressive lol.

At my studio, Alice did a reading of her book she is writing about "Art and Learning Disabilities". Her partner Barry gave us an enlightening view of his book he is writing on gravity, which I am still having a difficult time grasping. They will be here till the 3rd, then they will be off to Nicoya Pennisular, which is supposed to be just beautiful like all of the rest of Costa Rica.

Susan decided to have the tour end at her little place, she made the best banana bread in Cuidad Colon and played her songs for us, she has an angelic voice and I love listening to her sing. She is also working on some colorful drawings/paintings of fairies for a children's book. Ishil did a harmony on Susan's song and together they made beautiful music.

The Artist 's Way

Of course what matters when you look at my work happens immediately within your own perceptual framework and your response will be instantaneous and probably needs no verbal accompaniment. However perhaps you might like to know how I am approaching my work whilst here in residency at the colony? I am entranced by the beauty of nature here in Costa Rica. It has changed the way I now look at landscapes, I find myself weaving one image into another. For example: the wings of butterflies become the texture of the landscape. I am allowing myself the freedom to de-construct and then re-construct what interests me and use the inspiration in unusual abstract ways. I am really enjoying this process totally...it allows my creative strengths in photography, design, and watercolor techniques, to dictate new progressive concepts into paintings of "harmony".

Intoxicating Terre, watercolor by Lorraine Bromley
30 x 11 (unfinished) Inspired by the tulip tree.


La Montana de la Mariposa, watercolor by Lorraine Bromley
30 x 11 (unfinished) Inspired by butterflies.

A Work in Progress

in 2008, I resolve:
to create a painting for my inventory each week.
to submit my work to new galleries every quarter.
to enter one national show per season.
to continue to push my comfort zone - to be "uncomfortable."
to continue my journey toward physical health - eating right and exercise.
to paint and sell more large paintings.
to continue my dedication to higher standards in my own painting.
to read my mission and plan once a week.

Sitting still, no way!!!!

Going to be a productive day! I am feeling better and going to get alot done today, I am woman. Need groceries, need to paint, need to go to the Art Depot. I will have a full report later. lol What can I say ..it's a plan!

Cal this is the furniture I saw the other day. The handyman that you are!!!!

Full report: Well, I did get alot done today, cleaned my studio a bit, went to town for groceries, did not get to the art depot, but I did rent a movie. I got "Blue Butterfly" filmed in Costa Rica and reminded me so much of this past weekend in the northern section where I was. Rent it.... it was a 2-3 star movie, scenery was great, acting weak, but worth a couple bucks to see Costa Rica and it's nature, William Hurt was the star. I also started a new painting, and also worked in my art journal, will have to put up some pages of that, just realized I have not done that yet. Have a good recipe to share too.
Lentil Loaf
1 c. lentils
half c. gr walnuts
1 T tamari
1 c. soft bread crumbs
1 sm. minced onion
1 crushed garlic clove
2 eggs
half tsp. sage, thyme or marjoram or oregano + cumin
quarter cup liquid if req'd
2 T tomato paste
cook lentils in 3 cups salted water with tom paste till soft. mash. saute onion + garlic. add seasoning + bread crumbs, walnuts. combine all with eggs. pour into pan and bake 350 fro 30-45 minutes.

Sauce
1 T butter
2 T flour
1 + quarter bean broth
1 t. tamari
1 T. horseradish or dijon
half t. dill weed
half t. mild paprika.
Make roux. drizzle broth whisking constantly. cook 5 min. till thickened. stir in remaining ingredients.
Buenas Noches

A Blustery Day

Back in the saddle again....I went horseback riding this morning with Carlos (he is maintenance manager of the colony) & his familia, it was a beautiful day, my horse was very cooperative too. Did exactly what I told him to do. Just very pleasant ride through the mountains and forests. Juan Camillo and Francini are pictured here with their horses. Juan got very attached to his horse, talking to him and cuddling him, he took right to the ride. Francini was screaming her little girl screams as the horse did what it wanted to do, she was skittish of the horse, and it was pretty funny, Carlos had to guide her with the reins through the trails. I was the heroe, remembering the trails from last year, cause Carlos could not remember which one to take when we came to a fork in the road. My excellent sense of direction came in handy. lol...

These other pics are from the Christmas Eve party around the pool. Carlos the best dancer award and Patricia, having a good time & of course Alice's sapatos.











Tonight we had our Wednesday night dinner, small intimate group tonight than usual, (potluck). Susan made a lentil loaf, it was like a meatloaf with no meat, was delicious with a mustard sauce on top. Tasted so good after not eating for a couple days. Patricia made salmon, sour cream on a potatoes, I made the foccacia again. And then we had to raid Franciscos refridgerator for some vegetables, because no one else came with food. We cooked up some broccoli, peppers and garlic and had some left over potaoe mixture that Francisco made earlier. I guess everyone was making art. I feel like I am writing like I am at camp. Anyway, we all decided Christmas Eve that Saturday would be an open studio night, well, afternoon @ 4:00. We will make rounds to each others studio and see what each is up too. 3 are composers/musicians, 5 visual artists, so it should be fun, we will invite people we have met these last few weeks. The girls I went away with over the weekend, the hotel manager, Jorge from Corteza Amarilla, yoga group, etc.... maybe have some hord'overes or focaccia in my case, hee hee. That means no more napping and being sick, this is serious now "finishing up some paintings" this week.

Watched "The Painted Veil" on my computer last night around two o'clock, it was a beautiful movie. Boy I love this computer, it is a life saver, listening to my music, watching movies, looking at my pictures I took during the day for inspiration. It is so nice. of course keeping in touch with all of you as well. Thanks.

I just heard tonight that two other women from the weekend got sick too. mmmmm makes you go mmmmm. Time for bed!

Christmas Day

I am feeling much better today, still no appetite and it only hurts when I laugh now. I did want to lose weight, you have to be careful what you wish for. I know I am getting better because turkey and mashed potatoes sound awfully good right now after not eating for two days.

I thought I would just put up some more photos that I have found to be interesting.

I just had a visit from a couple of the kids, Juan Camillo and Francini, they live on the property, came by to wish a Feliz Navidad, they are the greatest kids, I just wish I could converse better with them, they told me that the thing above us on the eaves was a tarantula: any of several large, hairy spiders of the family Theraphosidae, as Aphonopelma chalcodes, having a painful but not highly venomous bite. Ahhhhh!!!!! I hope he is gone when I go out tonight.

The sky right now is absolutely gorgeous, sunsetting and mucho clouds and the colors of coral, cobalt blue and white contrasting, its very windy today and a bit cool. I rec'd a couple of wonderful presents of earrings from Susan & Patricia for xmas and I made everyone some magnets of geckos and dragonflies symbolizing good luck and creative forces.

I talked to Aja, Mom & Dad, Gayle & my nieces and nephew and of course my dear Cal.
Wishing all of you, my friends peace and joy today and always.

I will catch up on Christmas day with more photos, I have the flu and will be back soon.

Wicked Good Weekend

What a weekend! Eight very talented women went to the northern area of CR on a tour with our fearless leader Bernarda, (who is my spanish teacher as well). She is the most fearless of all, driving us around in a mercedes van, listening to us yap for 4 hours in the driving rain, thru backroads, jungles, through rivers, yes literally. What an experience! We saw the most spectacular views of the mountains and coffee, papaya, sugar cane plantations. The destination was the Maleku Indigenous Reserve. They were very gracious to us, gave us a visit of their gardens/jungle and explained their culture, traditions and shared their language and prepare a typical lunch. It was very primitive and enlightening. Then we traveled to Casado Rio Fortuna at the base of Mt Arenal, an active volcano that spits smoke and lava still. The clouds & fog covered the volcano, so I took a picture of a sign that showed it, the volcano is supposed to be right behind the sign and a perfect cone shape, great sign huh?