Postcards from Costa Rica

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

"Nature Air" - Manual Antonio, Costa Rica

Nature Air and Taca airlines both fly short hops within the country making a four hour car trip a faster, easier ride from all parts of Costa Rica to one of the two major airports located here. Not only that, you can see out the cock-pit window from your seat.

#16 5" x 7" acrylic on archival linen canvas $60.00

Thursday, May 6, 2010

“Foothills in Cartago” - Torrialba, Cartago, Costa Rica

Tres amigos set off on April 28 to find adventure and celebrate their birthdays, all falling within a day of each other. We ended up in the hills of Cartago having a special lunch overlooking a working farm. This was a scene along the way.

#15 5" x 7" acrylic on archival Masonite board $50

“Dos Mangos Dulces” - Costa Rica

It is May and mangoes have been in season for several weeks. They are sold on the streets, a half dozen for $3. Their heavy sweet scent wafted around my head while painting them. Every time I look at the painting I smell their fragrance.

#14 5" x 7" acrylic on archival Masonite board $50

“Chapel en Pinares” - Barrio Pinares, Curridabat, Costa Rica

Walking through our barrio during Semana Santa, holy week, we came across this dramatic juxtaposition of the stark white chapel, dark green hills and brilliant blue sky. It reminded me of a Georgia O'Keefe painting and so compelled me to try and capture it.

#13 5" x 7" acrylic on archival Masonite board SOLD

“Central Park, Escazu” - Escazu, Costa Rica

Every town has a church across from which is a soccer field, a school and a park. This is a detail of a very small chapel located in one of Escazu's parks.

#12 5" x 7" acrylic on archival Masonite board $50

“Little Braids” - San Jose, Costa Rica

The colorful sign, Las Trencitas, which means little braids, caught my eye one sunny day. It is a clothing store for young children.

#11 5" x 7" acrylic on archival Masonite board $50

“Arenal Volcan II” - Provence of Alajuela, near ciudad La Fortuna, Costa Rica

The lava flow tends to occur on just one side of this volcano and the view of it at night can be spectacular. It is unnerving though to hear the pyroclastic flow of superheated air and rock moving as a fluid in the interior while you stand quietly on the rock base.

#10 5" x 7" acrylic on archival Masonite board SOLD

“Arenal Volcan I” - Provence of Alajuela, near ciudad La Fortuna, Costa Rica

This is one of Costa Rica's active volcanoes. The exiting steam and frequent cloud cover can make a clear view difficult. A climb to its base is an exciting trip as you arrive at a panoramic view of the country side.

#9 5" x 7" acrylic on archival Masonite board SOLD

“Barrio Amon” - San Jose, Costa Rica

San Jose is made up of neighborhoods called barrios. This is an older neighborhood that has attracted artists. Down the street from this colorful building are several galleries.

#8 5" x 7" acrylic on archival Masonite board $50

“Oskar” - Head Chef, Aya Sofia Restaurant, Barrio Escalante, San Jose, Costa Rica

Aya Sofia is one of our favorite restaurants. The menu is Turkish as is Oskar the head chef. It is located across from Intense, the school Bill first attended in his continuing quest to learn Spanish.

#7 5" x 7" acrylic on archival Masonite board $50

Susan Macdonald

Curridabat, San Jose, Costa Rica

Five years ago the New York Times ran an article about a British ex-pat who lived in Aix en Provence and produced a small daily painting inspired by the country, the people, the architecture, the flora and fauna. I was entranced by the article dreaming that to be able to paint daily would be just that “a dream.”

In 2009 my dream became a reality. I resigned my position as Director of the Grosse Pointe Art Center in Michigan and moved to the Central Valley in Costa Rica.

Like the British ex-pat, Julian, and a number of other artists, I paint the country in which I live. My paintings are usually 5" x 7", acrylic, or oil on Masonite board, or stretched canvas. I am not new to the creative process of painting. I have created art all of my life, most often in Michigan, where I have exhibited and sold.