Buenos Aires picture the 3rd

Family Crossing Buenos Aires 11" x 14" oil on mounted linen lin

I bought a Garmin Vivofit walking tracker before going to Buenos Aires. I wanted to be sure to get in my "healthy" 10k steps a day. I knew that keeping a healthy eating plan was going to be difficult in the land of meat and ice cream and pizza....and empanadas...and wine...oh! and dulce de leche! Walking we did! 10k steps a day was a warm up to what a typical day was like exploring BA's various neighborhoods. I found it a refreshing change to what my life is like in South Florida: a cup of coffee usually requires a drive. I also found interesting the sharp angles of light that seem to be everywhere. Major cities with their high buildings will create these shapes of light. In this painting I am attempting to combine these ideas.

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Painting of studio parking lot after the rain

One of the aspects I am aware of is the difference in the quality of light that falls over south Florida as compared to where I am from in northern New Jersey. One of my favorite paintings by George Bellows captures that northern light most strikingly. His "Winter Afternoon" painting gives me comfort. In that painting he captures the view of the Palisades where I grew up. I knew well the little jagged orange that represent the morning sun on those cliffs. I can go on and on, my point is that the representation of light is a catalyst to certain moods for me. In this painting a torrential rain had fallen over my studio in the early evening. As it often rains here the clouds moved fast and it was clear again leaving the parking lot wet. Little puddles acted like a mirror to the sky above. The light danced and jumped all over my vision bringing me a sense of excitement that I had to try and capture.

The Room

I have a secret envy for those that have lived in the same house through to adulthood. It must be nice to be so secure about what home is. I have been contemplating putting wheels on practically every thing I own. Maybe I'll buy an old Uhaul truck and live in that. I have been carrying the same books around for eleven or twelve years now. I guess in a way "home" for me is everywhere and anywhere these books are next to me.

Art by John Sanchez

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