Tag Archives: La Manzanilla. La Manzanilla Studio Peek

Christine’s World

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Christine’s World

Like many Canadians who winter in Mexico, Christine Gribbin has learned to seize the best of both worlds.  In Montreal, Quebec, she still maintains a busy life is the world of film and fashion, but when the cold winds blow, she retreats to the sleepy village of La Manzanilla 200 kilometers south of Puerto Vallarta on the Jalisco coast.  There she resides in the charming upstairs casita of artist Carol Lopez and pursues her own interest in painting.

The influence of the cheerful and easy going life of her landlady and the village at large can be seen echoed in both her art and her countenance.  I’ve been meaning to share her world with you for some time, but unfortunately the laid back life of the beach seems to be lost a bit in the more complicated life of interior Mexico, not to mention my trip northwards.  But here, at last, is a peek into Christine’s Mexican environs and art.  If I had been able to capture a more rounded view of her life there, I would have also photographed her on the dance floor or on the beach, sipping tequila with the regulars at Daniel’s sunset tequila soiree, or listening to music at one of the beachside palapa restaurants; but these views of her aerie and her paintings are what I was able to capture.  I hope they will adequately portray this vivacious and talented lady.
(Please note that the sketch of the woman’s face on top of the fridge is by Christine, but the painting behind it  is by Carol Lopez. You can see photos of Carol’s studio here.)

Carol Lopez Studio Peek

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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
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.

 

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.