Carol Lopez is a La Manzanilla resident who like many others spends the hottest months in Canada. Since I have been as charmed by her house as her art, I have decided to share both with you.
If you click on the first photo, it will enlarge and reveal the caption, which will be the story to go along with the photos of Carol’s La Manzanilla world. Clicking on the arrow will take you to the next photograph.
You enter these gates to submerge yourself in Carol’s world.
I used this image for an earlier photo challenge that dealt with composition of geometrical shapes. I said then that I love the blend of organization and wildness. A pretty compostition for a still life.
Carol awaits inspiration
I love how she captures the mood and flavor of La Manzanilla in her paintings.
Her palette.
Her enthusiasm.
Then I realized it was my own piece–one of a series of six sacred places for women. This is one of my story collages that Carol purchased to give to her sister.
Art Studio
You can see the variety of styles and techniques Carol is constantly investigating. At first glance, it looks like a wall of graffiti, but it is actually just a canvass against the wall. I wish she’d paint her entire wall like this.
Light yet bold, her canvasses never feel contrived. As you can see here, no room is devoid of her art.
From the studio, just turn left, walk down the hall past Carol’s helper,
past two hats that look like they are being punished––
into her open-sided sala. Here very low walls furnish only part of the sides of her room and house. The rest of her privacy is provided by bougainvillea vines. These are walls that require no paint––only water.
Airy drapes can be pulled for a scrim effect.
Again, her front walls that face the street are comprised of bougainvillea vines.
An ice cream cart and a display of shirts–touched upon just right in these two wonderful pieces.
I see streetlights, a traffic barrier, trees, buildings, a park bench. What do you see? I’m sure Carol would say this is unfinished. What will its next phase reveal?
In the sala, take a left
and you’re in the dining room
Carol Lopez, artist
Gotta show her newly completed kitchen cabinets with wonderful pull out drawers for everything.
Another still life waiting to be painted.
Santa Fe or La Manzanilla? This painting has to look familiar to anyone familiar with Mexico.
Even everyday objects take on the appearance of a still life painting. I see a story in the brooms and mops arranged (intentionally or not) so artistically.
Thanks for coming along with me on this studio peek. Another will soon follow that covers the upstairs casita of Carol’s house–and the other artist who lives there.
For more information about Carol, go HERE.
lifelessons - a blog by Judy Dykstra-Brown 
What a wonderful individual she is. Thanks for introducing her to us!
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A lovely article!
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My post isn’t finshed.. It somehow published itself while I was still composing it, so come back if you have the time and see the completed piece. It’s finished now, Hammad, so if you see this, have another look. Thanks for visiting.
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Amazing! Such a joyful space. You are a superb tour guide. Thanks!
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Looks like a fun lady I would like to know!
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Just lovely, Judy. ArtWalk all over again!
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Thanks, Linda. Are you still in La Manz?
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Yes, another 3 weeks! It’s finally settling down after Semana Santa.
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Aha.. I remembered the three but thought it was three days you had left. Is it getting hot there? Are you still being waaay too funny in writer’s group?
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