Food recipes

Sunday, September 27, 2015

Beauty Salon

When I pass by this beauty salon I think of how charming it is. There's always flowers and cute things hanging around the door. You might think how cute it is but this place is very deceiving. Inside you find nice furniture, a mix of ornamented traditional mirrors and modern chairs, even chandeliers. But there's always a fun element outside the door, recognizable characters like a witch or a bee. I'm almost sure they are hand made, either by the employers or perhaps the owner or a owner's family member. Today I saw a brigth pink thing, it looks like a walking bear or dog or just a monster. This is how I noticed this place existed in first place, by guessing "what on earth is that"? Their marketing strategy is working, at least with me.

A5 Moleskine, pen, ink and watercolor.

Sunday, September 20, 2015

Ireland Part 5. Dublin.

THE BOOK OF KELLS.


Our first visit in the city was the Trinity College Old Library and the Book of Kells Exhibit, the oldest book known in Ireland.

A5 Handbook, pen, ink and watercolor.

This is a sketch of an image displayed at the exhibit to explain how the scribes who wrote this book used color on vellum made of calfskin. This is text on the wall and it quotes: 

"Methods and Materials
Ink. 
Most of the pages in the Book of Kells were written in a brownish  gallo-tannic ink known as iron gall ink. The wash was made from oak galls (or oak apples) mixed with iron, sulphate and wine or vinegar. A carbon black was also used, but less commonly. Some lines of writing were yellow, purple or red. 
Pigments.
Pigments were made from a variety of mineral and organic sources in early Medieval Ireland. Research at Trinity College Library has revealed new information about the pigments used in the Book. The blue pigment, previously believed to be lapis lazuli, is an indigo dye extracted from the wood plant (lsatis tinctoria species). When mixed with white, light blue tones were created. The white pigment was derived from gypsum. The predominant yellow came from the mineral orpiment (yellow arsenic sulphide), known as auripigmentum, or gold pigment, in recognition of its lustrous golden quality. Purple was created from the dye of an orchil lichen (Rocella tinctoria). This was mix with white to create pink. The two greens included vergaut, made by mixing orpiment and indigo, and copper green, known as verdigris. Verdigris was unstable when damp, darkening and perforating the parchment in some places. The scribes applied their pigments with great creativity, as pure color, in simple mixtures and sometimes in opaque or translucent layers. Areas of design were often accentuated with red dots made of red lead".

THE OLD LIBRARY.

A5 Handbook, pen and ink.

TOMMY KANE. 


During the visit to the Old Library, I ran into Tommy Kane, a talented New York artist whose artwork I follow. He was kind to let me take a photo. We chat a little bit and we introduced each other's spouses. I still cannot believe I met him in person!


ST. PATRICK'S GREEN PARK.

Later we went at St. Stephen Green Park, a private park that was open to the public thanks to Arthur Guinness. We had lunch there.
A5 Handbook, pen ink and watercolor.


ST. PATRICK'S CATHEDRAL.

We visited St. Patrick's Cathedral. This time I didn't sketch. I played with these metal plaques placed inside the cathedral meant to be used by children. Needles to say it was used by a bunch of adults. I wasn't the exception. I rubbed a golden crayon on a piece paper on top of the plaque which is hold by a frame made of wood. It's not a sketch, but still made on location, ha!
                                               

OLIVER ST. JOHN GOGARTY BAR, THE WRONG TEMPLE BAR.

We tried to find the Temple Bar, instead we found this pub without knowing it wasn't our target where we had a drink and dinner. It happened again, we were totally clueless. I mean food was good and we enjoyed it. I wondered why the wall were green,  I though they were red, maybe they painted it. Wrong! Later we went to the real one, oh boy! Was it crowded! 

A5 Moleskine , pen, ink and watercolor.

THE HOP-ON HOP-OFF BUS.



A5 Handbook, pen, ink and watercolor.






The hop-on hop-off bus was a great choice to visit further places. Geraldine, the tour guide, told us funny stories related to the history of Ireland. She explained that everyone who asked us "are you all right?" wasn't because we looked illed. It's the Irish way to say "how can I help you?" Ohhhhhh.

THE IMMA MUSUEM.


A5 Handbook, pen, ink and watercolor.













This the tower of the former Royal Hospital of Kilmainham, now the Irish Museum of Modern Art, IMMA. We didn't come in, it just happened to be walking distance from the Gaol Kilhmainham we just visited.












JAMESON DISTILLERY.


This is one of my favorite visits in Dublin. The Jameson Distillery. For those who are not familiar with whiskey I'd like to share something I learned. Whiskey is made of barley. The more times the whiskey is distilled the smoother it is. We had a taste of 3 of the top brands. Jack Daniel's, American whiskey is single distilled and it's made with corn. Johnny Walker, Scottish whiskey is double distilled and is made of smoked barley and. Jameson, Irish whiskey is triple distilled and made of barley. The winner for me? Johnny Walker.
Here's a sketch of the Jameson Distillery bar, conveniently placed near the entrance while we waited for our group tour.


A5 Handbook, pen, ink and watercolor.

CHURCH OF ST. GEORGE AND ST. THOMAS.


A5 Moleskine, pen, ink, watercolor and watercolor pencils


This is my final sketch the day prior my flight. A church across the restaturant of the hotel. It was full of South Eastern people. A group of kids was outside, I guess they couldn't find any fun inside the church. It caught my attention the draining pipes, I don't recall the name of it, the were so ornamented! They were black but I left them in white so the detail could be seen. Also the roof had weeds/plants growing on it!


Farewell Ireland. It was a fantastic trip. Exhausting but very worthy. 









Saturday, September 19, 2015

Ireland Part 4. Still in the West Coast.


We returned to Galway city from the Kinvara Village. It’s party day. The final game of the national tournament of hurling is tonight. The crowd of fans had gathered in front of our hotel in the Eyre Square back in Galway to watch the game. Lots of flags in maroon and white are being displayed everywhere. People of all ages have great expectations for this game this evening. Beer is flying out the pubs and the excitement is growing. Unfortunately Galway team was not lucky tonight but a kid passed by and shouted "we’ll win next year!"

A5 Moleskine Spread, pen, ink and watercolor.




Next day Bob and I headed to the Cliffs of Moher. The roads in the country are narrow, drivers here salute each other waving their hand once they realize their vehicles  are cleared to pass. The first time happened when we were driving with Róisín, she wave her hand to the other driver  and the rest of us too. I thought he was saluting to everybody until Róisín explained it was only to the driver. I wonder what the other driver though about all of us waving our hands: what’s wrong with you all? You …morons. 

The cliffs are a wonder of nature in this country, outstanding views everywhere you look at. We had exceptionally good weather, there was no wind at all, it was cloudy but not cold.  The water was very still. Wild flowers in white, yellow, purple were all over the edge. I walked along the edge of the cliff beyond the fence of rock that was placed for the safety of us the visitors. I felt vertigo after some minutes and returned behind the fence. Lesson learned. We walked  as far as the second cave on the sketch. When we returned to the starting point I sketched this view for about 20 minutes. Mosquitos were all over. Days later I realized how bad they bite me. My cheeks and my forehead were full of red dots. Oh well...I liked my new me, also I brought with me a temporary souvenir from the cliffs.



A4 Moleskine, pen, ink and watercolor.


We were on board the bus in our way from Galway to Dublin when we realized we left Bob's tablet on Eyre Square...oh no. We got out of the bus, the driver was so nice to us! He down loaded our luggage and let us take the next bus. He was genuinely concerned, he took care of our luggage while I ran to the Square, yes I ran, go figure. It's been 40 minutes since we left the park were we stayed some time to enjoy a bit of sunshine. But guess what! The bag with the tablet and its content was there! Irish people we LOVE you. It was worth losing the bus and take the next one and give it a shot and have faith and trust the people of Galway. We were very happy to recover our items. The bus is the top line, electrical outlets, wi-fi, toilet on board. Now we are just waiting to depart to Dublin. We are on board of gobus.ie bus, very, very nice staff. Thomas is been a driver for over 30 years, he has probably seen a lot of things happening to dummy tourists like us. God bless his heart, I bet he has learned to be patient and thoughtful.



A5 Handbook, pen, ink and watercolor. 




Once installed in the hotel, I went to the bar, I needed a drink and I was hungry. It's been a long jogging day, and of course I took my sketchbook with me. This white collar man was wearing bright pink socks, I wish I had a pair myself, they were beautiful!

A5 Handbook, pen, ink and watercolor.

I ordered a lamb hamburger, it was served with no bread (?)It's all right, I don't need it. Everywhere we ate they served potato fries in little tiny metal buckets, so cute. 
A5 Handbook spread, pen, ink and watercolor.


We were looking forward to explore the city of Dublin next day. The story will continue, click here to read part 5.

Friday, September 18, 2015

Ireland Part 3. Sketching the Atlantic Way. Worshop in Kinvara by Róisín Curé


Fridays is market day in Kinvara. The energy was positive and it seemed like everybody knew each other. It was the perfect scenario to sketch people in motion. Stands of local vendors offered all sort of vegetables, fruit, flowers, crafts, food and coffee. There were some tables and benches in the center of the market which was perfect for us to sketch. I think it is a good idea, because it invites you to stay regardless of the weather. This time Mary, a sketcher from Manchester joined us this morning. Her husband Kelly came with her.  Here's is what I caught in my sketch: Claudia, Mary on the table and Róisín in the center. To the left of the sketch is Chris, the peas vendor standing with a hat. Chris was selling flowers and offering fresh peas to everybody who passed by. He constantly talked to people.

A5 Handbook spread, pen, ink and watercolor.


Later that day we went to The Dunguaire Castle. This time we came inside the castle. The walls of stone are 2.8 meters wide. As any castle they are dark inside. After exploring the castle, I found myself comfortable in the banquet room. A window caught my attention, it was more the contrast of light and the darkness of the room what caught my attention. It was a nice view to practice tonal values. After few minutes I found that it was difficult  to sketch since the eyes had to adapt to the constant change of light. I had to put an extra effort to constantly looking at the bright window and my sketchbook, Róisín warned me about this, she was right.  I left some spaces in blank, something that for me it is not easy to do, but I think I manage to apply what I learned in this workshop. The next sketches were finished on location, drawn and colored. Through the window you can see the hills of The Burren.



A5 Handbook, pen, ink and watercolor.


A5 Handbook, pen, ink and watercolor.


Later in the castle, we attended a banquet. A medieval show was presented during dinner. Song, poems and a little bit of laugh. I didn't sketch, I enjoyed the company, the show and the food. After the banquet show, we walked back to Kinvara and the group met at Greens, a pub. Turned out that the couple from Manchester, Mary and Kelly were two of the musicians playing at the pub that night! I hung out all day with them and I didn’t know! What a pleasant surprise! Also the same girl I sketch in the Connolly’s bar two nights ago, Laura was there as well. I don’t live here and I already knew this people as if they were my friends forever. 


A4 Moleskine, pen, ink and watercolor.

The next day we practiced color and cross referencing in the morning. We met at the Quay in Kinvara. During the making of the following sketch, Róisín shared some tools with us. She is an excellent teacher. I asked questions and she answered them with straight answers that help me to solve my struggles. The sun was behind the houses, that's why they look shady. To the right it was a cute dog waiting patiently to its owner who was working on the white and blue boat.


A4 Moleskine, pen ink and watercolor.

By noon we headed to Galway. Our next sketching spot was the Claddagh and our target was to draw the Long Walk. At this point, I started to feel fatigue, I laid down in the grass for good 15 minutes to rest, I closed my eyes and let go. I was very close to not sketch this magnificent view, but why would I cross the Atlantic Ocean to NOT sketch? I would regret it if I didn't. So I got up and started to sketch the raw of houses. Since  I was afraid that I wouldn't have time to sketch Spanish Arch, I included it in the very left. So I had to shrink my proportions in order to include this landmark. I used my small moleskine to simplify my sketch. Big mistake. Turned out I was sketching a lot of detail in a small sketchbook so I had to put extra effort. At the end it was worthy. Don't you think so?


A5 Moleskine spread, pen, inl and watercolor.


This workshop is a gem.  A selection of places carefully chosen, well planned and organized by an artist who delivers, whose  knowledge comes through and whose expertise in the area assures you will see, visit and eat only the best. If you have the opportunity to attend one of her workshops, do it. I already left there a friend for life. Visit her website at roisincure.com. Click here to read part 4.



I, Róisín and Claudia


Thursday, September 17, 2015

Ireland Part 2. Sketching the Atlantic Way Workshop in Kinvara by Róisín Curé

A red hair woman came through the door of the restaurant, it was Róisín Curé. We met and greeted. Her very welcoming, cheerful and happy personality took us through the schedule of the Worshop in Kinvara: Sketching the Wild Atlantic Way. I came here enchanted by the sketches and stories she had written and I’ve read. Such detailed narrations of her surroundings made me wanted to come here and see it myself. I wasn't disappointed, in fact it exceeded my expectations.  I was truly thrilled to be here. The Wild Atlantic Way is a term created recently by the Irish government to advertise the scenic West side of the island. We had a wonderful dinner, we ate fresh seafood straight from the Atlantic Ocean. Later that night, Róisín took us to Connolly’s bar, where traditional Irish music was playing that night by a band of musicians formed by 4 violins, a guitar and an accordion. Róisín took her sketchbook out, I was about to witness an artist in action,soon after, I joined her. The lights were dimmed to create an ambiance intimate and cozy. The people there respectfully listened to the music that I, so eagerly, was looking forward to listening to.  I was so immersed in this Irish dream that I left my drink untouched.


A5 Moleskine, pen, ink and watercolor.


The tide was high next morning, we arrived to the outdoors of the Dunguaire Castle which is few minutes walking from Kinvara. Róisín made a demonstration of tone and value. I watched how she draw the clouds and water that mesmerized me for so long. The wind was strong but we were prepared for the weather. I have to say that this composition was Róisín's. I made my best effort to apply what I learned. I would say it was an improvement compared to my last sketch of clouds in my last post!



A4 Moleskine, pen, ink and watercolor.

At lunch, this view of a typical house in the area was the view through the window of the restaurant.


A5 Moleskine, pan, ink and watercolor.

Later that day Róisín drove us through the green country fields of the area to arrive to Killenaran Quay in Ballindereen. The tide was low and the boats were tilted on the side, placed like that randomly and whimsically by nature. I found a place to protect myself from the wind on the steps of the quay's wall. Behind me, I saw far away some man collecting the first oysters of the season. We were experiencing the best places of the area, carefully chosen and organized by Róisín, it was truly once in a life time opportunity. 


A4 Moleskine spread, pen, ink, watercolor.

Later that night, at Moran’s on the Weir Restaurant, I had the opportunity to taste those oysters nicely presented over a bed of fresh seaweed, a flavor I craved for almost a year since I read that post about oysters written by the very talented Róisín. I regretted I didn't sketched them, they went straight to my mouth, I couldn't wait! Yes, that's my long relationship with food. The round oysters native of the area were an explosion of flavors of the Atlantic Ocean in my mouth. You can read more about Oyster's Festival here. Click here to read part 3.







Tuesday, September 15, 2015

Ireland Part 1. The West Coast

This is my first trip to Ireland.
My husband and I wanted to celebrate our wedding anniversary and wanted to make a special trip to celebrate it. Bob has been wanted to come to Ireland for years and I wanted to attend a workshop held by Róisín Curé, a talented artist native of this country whose work I've followed for over a year. So Ireland was the choice to go. My trip to Ireland began in the United States. I received an Irish blessing/poem from a friend printed in paper. Her intentions came through. The blessing for this  trip proved to be true, as I will show in the following posts of our adventures.

Through the window of our night flight I could see nothing but the shining moon. Sometimes I take for granted its beauty, and here it was. A bright spot in the dark night, illuminating the clouds over the Atlantic Ocean. The lack of sleep made me grab my little portable and very handy sketchbook and drew this unforgettable view.



A6 Hahnemühle Sketch Note, pen, ink and watercolor.


Driving on the left side of the road on the right side of a car is not our cup of tea. So my husband and I decided to use buses as our media of transportation that seems to be very reliable and affordable. We were fortunate to sit in the first raw with nothing obstructing our view. It was like if we were driving our own vehicle but on a second floor. The ride from Dublin to Galway, our mid destination, was pure joy, the country landscape was becoming familiar: green landscapes, big and healthy cows, the country walls made of stone and those spectacular clouds that Róisín Curé has wonderfully mastered. Here is a humble attempt to render that beautiful sky during our ride.


A6 Hahnemühle Sketch Note, pen, ink and watercolor.


Once in Galway, I needed to use my laptop to write this lines. I then just realized we forgot our European electrical adapter kit and in search for one we went off. From our hotel in Eyre Square was easy to walk everywhere. I found it amazing, after asking questions and talking to locals, how friendly and happy the people in this place is. Those big green and blue eyes, looking at you with genuinely interest to help you and those big smiles made us feel soooo welcome. We confirmed what we have heard about Irish people, friendly people with a warm heart. This is the hardware store we ended buying our electrical adapter. Later we return to finish the sketch and to buy a second adapter we needed. A man came out the store and asked me if he could see my sketch. Of course I showed it to him. He was so pleased that he sold me the adapter for half price. This is another example of many of the happy experiences that sketching can give you. People seems to respond to you in a friendlier way, despite you are a completely stranger.

A5 Moleskine, pen, ink and watercolor.


Later that day, after a 3 hour nap, (hey! we were very jet lagged!) we met at a bar with another fellow sketcher from Paris who was going to take the same workshop than me. We loved the ambiance of the bar where we met. Everything was made of carved wood. The ceilings, the hand rail stair was richly ornamented, even the lightning. I sketch a young man who was in front of us. The table (made of wood was well) look so heavy but it had a décor that belong to the style of the bar. Our friendly bartender offered us local beer, Galway Hooker beer. Clear beer. It was good… to start. A party of ten young men arrived and sat around the table I just sketched. They looked like people who just finished their shift and went out for fun. I noticed all of them have very short hair, giving them a particular look, something I noticed as well during the rest of our trip. Most of these local men order draft ale. Bob ordered the same too. Boy was that amazing! I had tasted bottled Guinness beer before but nothing this quality. Wohoo! By experience I know dark beer is very deceiving, since the flavor is very smooth and the level of alcohol is undetectable, it goes down your throat easily, so we were aware. The happy party of men and our own joy made us take the route to whiskey. Again we listened to our bartender recommendations and we got Green Spot and Yellow Spot which are a rarity since they are limited produced in the island. The whisky was aged 7-10 and 12 years. Smooth and rich in oak flavor………[sigh] Whiskey, spot,  my new favorite drink.

A5 Moleskine, pen, ink and watercolor.



Next morning, we took the bus to Kinvara, a charming fishing village on the West Coast where the workshop was going to be held. The displayed of flags in white and maroon color in the area showed how proud they were to support this big tournament of hurling, a very traditional Irish sport. Later I learned that those colors were the colors of Co. Galway team. 

Finally, that evening, I was going to meet Róisín Curé. Click here to read part 2.