Cherry Sweig

Painting France 2011

2011-06-11T08:30:00.001-07:00

More from 101 Paintings in 101 Days...

2011-02-18T09:01:00.000-08:00

101 Paintings in 101 Days...25 more to go...

2011-02-16T08:23:00.000-08:00

#54: 'Whooooooooo' Barn Owl.... see the whole show on my website @

www.cherrysweig.com

#3 "Three Eggs, Over Easy, PLease" Matilija Poppies

2010-12-03T18:42:00.000-08:00

#2, Red Tailed Hawk, Dec 2,2010... 'Hawk Eye'

2010-12-02T16:30:00.001-08:00

101 Reasons to Explore the Chula Vista Nature Center

2010-12-02T11:06:00.000-08:00

Beginning December 1st, I will be painting 101 wildlife images from The Chula Vista Nature Center.

In 101 days.

That's one a day from December 1st through March 11, 2011.

Each original oil painting is 8 x 8” with a 1 ½” depth. It can stand on its own or is ready to hang.

An Artist’s Statement/ Certificate of Authenticity, Art Title

and name of wildlife subject are included in each painting.

Artworks will be displayed in the auditorium in groups of seven,

as they are created.

Artworks are for sale through the Nature Center's bookstore at $101 each.

25 % will be donated to the CVNC.

Here's the project notes....

v Cherry Sweig is a San Diego artist who paints both oils and watercolors featuring local nature-related themes, Greek Equine and Plein Air (painting outside on location) travels abroad. She has volunteered as an Art Curator at the center since 1995 with numerous art exhibitions, workshops and her Gyotaku, Japanese nature printing.

She explains: ‘This an ideal opportunity to celebrate 101 images of the Nature Center through my artworks. With this consecutive challenge, it’s an extraordinary chance for visitors to encounter the whole process from blank canvases to a finished wall of art. It will also illustrate how the artworks evolved, brushstroke by brushstroke. This Nature Center is abounding with imagery and inspiration everywhere I look. From the bald eagle to the two-spotted octopus, there are countless

reasons to explore this impressive living museum.”

Here we go!!!

Opening the box of 101 blank canvases....getting ready to paint

It's December 1st... day 1 of 101 days of painting 101 artworks about the Chula Vista Nature Center-

and reasons to see this wonderful living museum...

I hope my artworks will enlighten viewers to the

Here's my signature... always with a red dot....

side view... art is painted around all four edges.

.... #1 is done!!

'Orange Jewel'

THE BOX is here...

2010-10-23T13:56:00.001-07:00

THE BOX arrived last week...what's inside??? You'll have to guess... I'll open it next week-
Hint: You'll be watching it GROW from Dec 1- March 11....

MORE HINTS TO COME..... ;)

Weekend with the Masters

2010-10-01T14:30:00.000-07:00

Seminar/Workshop by American Artist Magazine in Dana Point, California.

September 23- 26, 2010

As an artist, I am dedicated to always learning and being exposed to a variety of methods, viewpoints and styles. This event was an opportunity to either attend lectures or take full days workshops from some of the most inspiring and celebrated artists of our time. Most of them can trace their education through their teachers... a 'who's who' lineage all the way back to the Renaissance including Titian, Fechin, Sorolla, Sargent or training at the Art Students League in New York and Chicago Art Institute.

My class list included: CW. Mundy, Camille Przewodek, Albert Handell, Stephen Scott Young and

Sherrie McGraw. We attended lectures by Richard Schmid, Daniel Gerhardtz and Scott Burdick...

I returned home, ready to launch another new series of artworks...

from fruit bowls, to figures to waterfalls...

Demo with Richard Schmid: two screens, large room and hundreds of fascinated artists ready to watch the MAESTRO.

Richard discussing his theories of art.

His finished art, what a thrill it was to watch him work!

September 24: Albert Handell

Albert Handell, his demo for my first class on waterfalls and streams in oils
with transparent backgrounds and thick palette knife featured areas.

My final art as I worked along side Albert's vertical painting and his reference.

September 25: Stephen Scott Young

Scott demonstrated his watercolor dry-brush technique, painted with one small brush, very patiently and with extreme attention to the amount of water in each stroke of the brush.

Watercolor/dry brush technique: this took me all morning! (mine on the left- his on the right)

Study of facial features: took me all afternoon!

September 26: Sherrie McGraw

Still Life Demo and words of wisdom.

20 Artists shared 10 beautiful still life set-ups.

My work-in-progress... what a difference working inside compared to my usual perils of Plein Air painting!!!

..and my final oil. 'Still Life' painting is another new passion for me. Gee- there's just not enough time in the day!

Art of the Day

2010-09-16T12:36:00.000-07:00

I had so much fun painting this!

'Sunflowers in Pinkness'

For my 3Day Susan G. Komen Team: Babes for Boobs

Its a silent auction item fro tonite's fundraiser... $350

12 x 12" An Original Acrylic on canvas.

Inspired by......... You guessed it!!!

Sunflowers!!!! ..." Les Tournesols" ....They heal the soul...

2010-09-13T15:43:00.000-07:00

Just outside of Esperaza...Southern France
"Stop the car!"

This one looks a little sad......

Down the road... we'll look for more.......coming just around the corner.

2010 Tour de France

2010-09-10T15:32:00.000-07:00

Waiting, waiting... for the 2010 Tour de France coming through the village of Esperaza...

Charming man who gave up his seat for me...

Laureen, Me and Cindy...

Plus our nice new friends....

That had many opinions about life and love and bicycles....

But FIRST! a parade!!!!!!

huh?

Oh yea?

.. an on wheels...

.. HOW niiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiice.....

Still waiting.............

Reminded me of TRON...

But where's the race?

Oh- but wait- is THAT them?

Getting towards the end....all pix where shot just over the same blue hat...

It was simply a quick breeze in the wind...

et VOILA! (the support team)

"A Bientot!"

Shall we skip to Peru my darling?

2010-09-06T19:33:00.000-07:00

Peru by Pen and Paints By Cherry Sweig April 29- May 14, 2009

I have traveled my life as an artist. Even as a young child, I sketched during family vacations to remember it all in my own voice, capturing much more than a camera. This impulse unfolded into the ‘en plein air’ technique- starting with small portfolios that developed into larger artworks. Europe, Hawaii, the Caribbean, Egypt, Africa and the California coastline have inspired me into taking every chance to create, from wherever I am.

So, when I saw a brochure from Flying Colors Workshops, I didnt hesitate to sign up for Linda Doll’s sketch booking in Peru. Vibrant colors far and wide, ladies wearing marvelous hats, dancers with scissors, a spiritual mountain top city, Inca stone carvings, homes on floating islands and the highest navigational lake in the world –these tempting images drew me to my first adventure below the equator in un-charted waters for a watercolorist.

Our sketchbooks followed Linda’s course of quick drawings using pencil, permanent pens and watercolors. As we traveled through Peru at a swift pace, it became a delicate contest for me to record the sites from an artist’s viewpoint. As our bus, train, airplane and feet carried us through this country of extremes, I recorded the scenes from wavering stances, windows and seats. The pages of my book began to summarize once-in-a lifetime memories in a way only a quick sketch can.

Peru is as rich in themes for an artist as it is brimming with history and staggering heights to climb. In just two short weeks that seemed like two months, we saw more than I ever anticipated. From a homemade lunch with 30 Peruvian women and their distinguishing hats, Machu Piccu at sunset and sunrise, Ollantaytambo’s Incan rock face, our guide’s beloved tortilla potato dish, a little girl with her llama, a shaman’s gentle smile, sunrise over Lake Titicaca and dancers with sizzling costumes to my backwards view from the last seat of the train through the Sacred Valley and finally to the snow-capped Andes from my window on the plane, we experienced Peru.

Overcoming the altitudes of 9- 14,000 feet was an immeasurable test- yet I didn’t miss one stride of the trip. My sketchbook always beckoned me to continue one more page. Here’s an itinerary review…

Days 1-3: Lima

Days 3-6 The Sacred Valley

Days 6& 7 Machu Picchu

Days 7-9 Cusco

Days 10-14 Lake Titicaca…

Days 6& 7 Machu Picchu

Where people kind of looked like chickens.. or visa versa...

From the Cusco-Lima Airplane..

Lake Titicaca... we threw our leis into the lake...

frm this boat from the floating reed islands...

Machu Piccu Michi Paccuuuuu...

Cusco

Where men are the knitters...

And the women cant get anymore colorful...

'The Blue Button'

2010-09-05T16:41:00.000-07:00

This story appeared in the San Diego Union Tribune on Sunday, August 29, 2010:

This is a better 'bloggie' version ...

~~~

Injury Enlightens While IT Challenges

(original title: THE BLUE BUTTON)

Rescue Your Vacation If Injured Abroad By Cherry Sweig

What happens when you misjudge a step on a cobblestone stairway while traveling abroad? Your independence will vanish if you injure yourself badly and cannot walk. Your plans will change in ways you would never imagine.

As an experienced traveler and artist, walking has been my favorite approach to the European culture. The traditions, flavors, colors and people can be observed in vibrant detail. They are the inspiration behind my series of painted journals.

Last July, my adventures were curtailed in the French Mediterranean city of Collioure. I slipped on an ancient step and my right foot hit the stones sounding like potato chips breaking. My camera took flight and I found myself on the ground in disbelief. Fellow travelers recruited two strong German tourists to carry me to our van. At the hospital, x-rays confirmed a fracture. The doctors ordered no walking on my right foot for six to eight weeks. It was the eighth day of my twenty-five day vacation including a week in Paris to follow.

Coming home early was not an option for me. The immediate test was how to mend an itinerary and overcome the logistics of life on one leg. It was not about recovering costs through insurance, as French medical care was impressive and reasonable. My time became focused on finding wheelchair friendly taxis, fundamental aid, restroom accessibility, disabled compliant tourist attractions and a new creative attitude. I discovered the value of painting memoirs from a wheelchair’s perspective.

A good example is The Blue Button. Airport wheelchair assistance informed me that I would be met at the check-in counter only. This left a 100-200 foot gap from the curbside for me to manage luggage and crutches on one good leg. Numerous calls later, one taxi driver remembered a help kiosk with a blue button near the curb. Taking a chance on his advice, I located the kiosk, pushed the magical button and an image materialized of a lady behind a desk. The wheelchair aid arrived in moments and I was on my way through the airport maze. Diligence worked and I dedicated a journal page to The Blue Button.

This account is for others who, like me, never believe a sudden injury could occur. Information is obtainable, but its takes persistence to uncover. Be realistic, innovative and tolerant of detours. Your holiday will be rescued and your memories will be priceless.

Resources:

www.accessinparis.org

www.aeroportsdeparis.fr/ADP/en-gb/passagers/home/ for The Blue Button

www.a-night-in-paris.com/paris-france-wheel-chair-rentals.html

www.apparelozed.com/wheelchair/imdex.html

Notes:

Best Museums for Disabled: The Louvre, Musee D’Orsay and Musee de L’Orangerie

In Paris: Wheelchair/Handicap accessible Metro/Bus Line 14, Bus Line 20 and some buses on the 91 line.

Most Airport Handicapped Services require a 48 hour notice.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Contact Info: www.cherrysweig.com email: ciaocherry@cox.net

Le Monastere...our home for two weeks.

2010-09-05T15:35:00.000-07:00

The courtyard awaits....

a very special first dinner...

Isabelle, our marvelous, amazing, fantastic guide and friend...

My roommates, Beth and Jackii....

A picnic in the sunflowers...

Resting my foot.

...A little bit of shopping before lunch...

2010-09-05T14:49:00.000-07:00

The Market in Esperaza...

Ou la LA.

Made from gourds...very cute 'little guys'...

Southern France Before and After

2010-09-05T14:40:00.000-07:00

I was fortunate to paint in Southern France last July,

but not so fortunate with the uneven

cobblestone stairs.....

This was my first day, along La Garrone river...in Toulouse...

Second day, just outside of Limoux...we waited for La Tour de France...

I discovered a new way to take a self portrait at a market in Esperza...

and I got my hair braided...

By this colorful lady...who posed for my next watercolor portrait...

Gee, what colors to choose?

So, enough of that... and now back to painting...

First, a preliminary sketch...

I didnt know this lovely couple, but they shared the bench with me for quite awhile...

This is the Mediterranean seaside village of Collioure...

My third visit there, I had planned ahead to paint these colorful boats...

in oils and a special lightweight set-up.

I was painting on the steps in the distance, looking towards the boats.

Next, I'll paint them from this direction...I'm thinking about a watercolor this time...

So, it was time to do some SPEED shopping...

and I was rushing.... and......

Then a small tragedy struck- actually, I wasnt paying attention to my steps, and always in a hurry-

I missed a staircase by about 30"...2 Germans carried me five blocks to our van....

(I dont think I have ever been both embarrassed and happy at the same time!)

... and then to the ER...I had broken my fifth metatarsal...right foot.

Eighth day into the trip of twenty-five days

But that silly mistake did'nt stop me... I found ways to keep painting.

....AND more ways....

My First Entry

2010-09-05T12:01:00.000-07:00

Good morning!
It's week six of my broken foot adventure. One thing I have learned from my sudden injury while traveling abroad is to sloooooow down. It has forced me to look at life very differently and my artwork is taking on a whole new perspective. Now I can actually get around to all those things I have set aside in the ' Do Later' box...
I have also learned some new tools like this BLOG! My website will continue to be the complete portfolio of my artwork, but this blog will become an interactive tool that I can share new ideas and projects such as:

* Studio Collections: This will be a showcase of current studio artworks for sale .
* Painting-A-Day: An entry of my small paintings that are created daily.
* New Travel Paintbooks: Painted during my travels, these hand-painted books are the inspiration behind a new series of fifteen, with travel info, maps, and artworks. I am also designing them to provide areas for journaling, souvenirs and photos.
* Travel Photo Journals: Since 1984, I have been photographing, writing and recording my travels abroad. I'll be able to post these on this blog and share some amazing experiences of travels in Europe, Egypt, The Caribbean, Mexico, Peru and South Africa. My average amount of photos per trip is from 5-7,000 images- This will be an ideal way to share them!

So, with all this in the works- it really doesn't matter that I have my right foot in a purple cast and I'm marooned in my art studio to heal. It's a very good thing!
Thanks for viewing!