may i present my travelogue handbook sketchbook no. 1 for antigua, guatemala. ready to be put into service. the size is 3.5 x 8.25. perfect for writing & watercolors, or it seems so now. time will tell whether this size will enhance or confound my sketching pleasure.
and here is my travel palette ready to be pressed into service. it’s approximately the weight of a feather and holds 22 colors in it’s current configuration. i just topped everything off. i’m also carrying along the lilliputian size that stays in my bag, to be revealed in a future post. and of course the other 3 sketchbooks. 2 for play. 1 for serious masterclass work that you have come to know is my speciality.
the dark is not a place you will be left my friends. oh no!
another thing that may be of no interest whatsoever to you is the state of my hibiscus. they are glowing belles of the ball in all of their various states of closing and opening.
hector the painter is here at this moment. i asked him earlier what he thought of painting my vintage french window panels with bird of paradise (salmon) and keeping the trim sundried tomato (reddish). as he is guatemalan i thought he might have an appreciation for kooky color combos. he looked at me in confusion and horror and said after a lengthy silence, “ummmm i think is not so good idea…but if that is what you want, is okay.”
i gave a booming laugh and said, “okay”
he is going to paint a bit of the pinkish orange and i will evaluate.
I love looking at your art and reading your stories, and I love looking at your flowers………………… 🙂
Hi Mary Ann – I traveled through Central America for 2 months a year ago and loved it. Can’t resist sending you some tips for Antigua – go to the local market, not the touristy one that goes through the town. It is wonderful and you will have so much to see and paint there. Look for the man who sells oil cloth tablecloths…it will be a big adventure for you to find him. He is delightful and I think you would love buying the oil cloth not only for tables in your backyard but to use in your journals. We had a lot of fun looking at the toy animals in the markets and asking if they had any tapirs…they would always laugh and say no 🙂 My travel journal from that time is BRIMMING with wonderful colors. Go for the best Hot Chocolate at Cafe Condesa – another wonderful place to sit and eat. Get yourself to the market at Chichicastenanga – so much to look at and eat and the crowds are locals. Go into the church – it feels as if you are in another era there. Look for info about Maximon – a very naughty saint…and one of the best things I did for my travel journal was to wander the main street where the tourist market is after they broke down for the day. I found so many scraps of wool and cloth and peacock feathers…made the most beautiful bundle for my journal full of the colors of Guatemala. Also buy yourself a cheap woven belt or sash to tie your journal shut with…gives me so much pleasure looking at all the bright colors. Have a fabulous time. Can’t wait to hear what you think. You’ll enjoy sitting in the main square watching and painting all that is unfolding in front of your eyes…
oh thanks pam! sounds fantastic. thanks for all the great tips!
Giggling @Hector. Whata hoot! I agree with doing what YOU love. Those flowers are breathtaking beauties! Phweeee! I haven’t been able to comment much because I had cataract surgery on Monday and light hurts my eyes, but just want you to know I am still mesmerized from what I can see! Have a fabulous day!
I find guys who work in paints or tile etc do not want to make decisions for you. I suspect they see us as cranky white women and view with suspicion. My house is all bright colors. It is wonderful to come home to and especially after being in neigbors white mansions of boring.
Go for the colours that make your heart sing! Life is too short to use anyone else’s idea of a good colour scheme. My front doors and windows are painted bright mauve to contrast with primrose walls. I horrified the neighbours somewhat, but every time I come home, those two colours together just make me happy. I put as many bright pink and orange flowers in the window boxes as will grow there. Yours sound gorgeous too! Enjoy your trip and come home to the right colours!
Your blooms are playing ‘dress up’ and doing a fine, fine, job of it. Amazing and gorgeous!!! I am probably just as excited about your upcoming journey to Antigua as you are. And your travel journal looks like it is gonna serve you well but I will wait for your confirmation on that. I know you will put it through it’s paces and then some. You are a pretty darn good journal tester. 😉
oh I like that size of sketchbook and linen to boot! Lovely flowers as usual. Salmon is lovely colour too! Can’t wait to see the sketchbook in progress/filled as well as a peep(via your blog HA!) at your window panels. Enjoy your day Mary Ann.
Your flowers are glorious and I love your color choices for Moss Cottage!! Your apinter will warm to the idea! A question about your paints. Will those paints dry out so you carry them and activate with water?? I assume they are water colors?? You are going to love Guatemala!!
Hi Mary Ann–Love your beautiful flowers, and your sketchbook. Good luck with the house painting!
Oooooh Dios mio! Me imagino la cara de Héctor ….. Nunca puedes preguntar a un pintor…no sé muy bien porqué , pero siempre quieren pintar todo de blanco!
I want to see your red house!
Antigua…ummmm sounds a beautiful place.
Great post and pictures. I have used that same journal, the 3.5 x 8.25 Handbook. It has been one of my favorite store bought ones. It was good for any kind of project I used it for. Love your color ideas for Moss cottage. Enjoy your trip, I look forward to updates while you are on the road.
Will Hector finish before you go? Maybe I should fly down and help ol Hector out…… mmmm maybe not. (I can see your horror stricken face from here) tee hee! I love hibiscus and tried growing them in a fun filled window by my bathtub. That is all I am going to say about that………….. I wish you safe and wild travels. Guatemala is bracing for your arrival with open arms. Lucky people!!!!!
I would love to know more about your color selection! I recently filled my watercolor palette for a trip i’m making to costa rica in november, and found that i didn’t quite make the right choices… I found out with my colors i had trouble mixing brown, and since i’m going to paint plants and such, it is a problem. What are the colors you chose? Thank you in advance, can’t wait for the next post 🙂 (wouldn’t mind to see those colors on paper!!)
The frilly bits on the yellow Hibiscus are just gorgeous….and may I ask what white you have in your juicy pallete …watercolour or Gouache…..
Fun as usual. Got that same sketchbook at hobby lobby today for $7.99. Super deal. Hope I love it.
I love the book! You’ll SO love Antigua!! Colors sound awesome for Moss cottage!! Yummy. 🙂