On the Beach

Went to Troncones Mexico for a week. What was different was my timing as I have gone to this area for the past 20 or more years. No-one was there. The beach was empty and we had it all. Oh, at 7-9AM a couple of surfers show up and do their thing. That is it. The restaurants are open and everyone is readying for the Christmas crowd. That used to be me and my family. The paintings were done plein air and it was hot. I even painted with salt water, as I carried everything out to my spot. The tree painting fascinated me with its tortuous 'trunk' that supplied a healthy canopy of leaves. It went down into the sand and split into many cords which twisted as it supported the leaves. It is a great time to be on the beach.

View from Casa Manzanillo down on Manzanillo Bay in Troncones, Mexico. Just returned from two weeks in the sun and surf of this wonderful part of Mexico. Food and company wonderful and can't wait to get back. It was hot and painting watercolors has some interesting issues such as drying too quickly. I didn't have my spray bottle because it melted while sitting in my easel. I resorted to using a lot of water to wet the paper and painting with real wet watercolors. These paintings were done as quick sketches. Hopefully, they will get incorporated into larger ones.

Hacienda Eden, Troncones, Mexico

This place is fantastic. Located on Manzanillo Bay in Troncones Mexico, it has few rooms and always seems filled. I have been going to the area for years because of the great surfing and could never get a reservation here. This was my first time staying here at Eden. Great service and wonderful delicious food. Friendly staff always available and helpful. You can swim in the surf or in their new pool. Will certainly return.

Manzanillo Bay, Troncones, Mexico

Spent the last two weeks here with family and grandkids. No crowds, clean endless beach and great surf. It is early in the winter season but the press has not been kind to the area. People are afraid to vacation here, so the locals are struggling to make a living. I have been here for the past 15 years and never tire of coming back. Two weeks spent here can be dangerous though, but only because one starts considering the meaning of life and maybe not returning home.

Troncones Hotspot

This painting is from sketches done last year in Troncones, Mexico. I wanted to try painting it again but, this time, mixing all of my color directly on the paper. The result was I achieved some pretty brilliant color which typifies Mexican buildings. I would call the real stucco color almost pure yellow, like a daffodil yellow. I started with cad yellow, added some opera and finished with raw sienna, all while still wet. I then lifted some of the color on the sun exposed side. The building color in back was done with raw sienna, followed by alizarin crimson and then cobalt blue. It's fun to experiment and at my stage, I'm not quite sure what the final color will be.
This composition is awkward. All the weight with the momma, papa, and baby sizes are on the right side. It needs something on the left for balance. Then again, with watercolors, you can always crop.

En Plein Air Painting on Mexican Beaches

There is the roar of the surf in Troncones Mexico. No one else is on the entire beach but you. Those are my foot prints and, unless you count the busy trails left by hermit crabs at night, there is little other to distract you from painting. I next moved to Playa la Ropa beach in Zihuatanejo where you do find people but in very small numbers compared with past years. February is the high season for visitors but they are not coming because of our press coverage of banditos. It is a shame that it is considered unsafe for travel because this is a very safe and secure region.

I have been coming here to paint and surf for 13 years. There is nothing like it; morning awakening to an ocean view over your toes. Another warm sunny day in paradise.

Troncones Paintings

This first of paintings was done on a rainy stormy day which is most unusual at this time of year in Mexico. The other paintings are done on the usual sunny days and were quick sketches that were painted. One gets a rhythm for painting when at it on 5 or more consecutive days. There is more spontaneity and risk taking which is what we are all after in watercolor. It is so easy to do on vacation in a warm cozy place.

A Grand Place

Mexican living is tough. This is a quick sketch and watercolor of my place. Bedrooms in back and kitchen and pool in front; on the beach. You can choose fresh or salty for a swim.
I tried reducing watercolor supplies by using a block of paper instead of the usual half sheet. Big adjustment painting on something different. My thinking is just do a quick painting and then redo at home. The jury is out as to whether this works. Not easy to change old ways.

My Mexican Beach

This is the scene that I awaken to every morning and the surf can be thundering. Usually there are surfers out at the point of the bay. This strange twisted tree, I believe it is a Manzanillo, is out in front of my place and in many of my paintings. You are now aware that I often do not wander far. Why should I, when there is cold cervesa, comfy lounges and good company.

Home from Mexico

This is paradise on the Mexican Pacific ocean where I return for the past 13 years. I sketched and painted my housekeepers on the last day as we sadly headed home. Life is basic. My biggest packing: my sticks, paper and easel; otherwise, it's bathing suits and shirts. The surf is tremendous and I didn't break anything this year.

Our 'green grocer' does house calls and we get our stuff (note no paved roads). That's Susan picking out tomorrow's breakfast. She also does wonderful watercolors.

The 'Mall' of Troncones Mexico

You will find it at Gabys; it might be a single bandaid, a couple of Pampers, etc. but she will usually have it. Get your wine before you come to town. I love painting poles with all of the wires and boxes. They are all over Mexico and where I live in the States, the wires are underground. I remember them from my youth. There were chickens being raised for fighting behind me as I stood there painting. It was hot and dusty with the trucks hurrying by with propane, water, and surf boards. It is a wonderful place.