Jardín de Tequisquiapan in San Luis Potosí city

 

Pen&ink and watercolor on A6 Hahnemühle cotton sketchbook

This is one my favorite parks in the city of San Luis Potosí. It seems to be busy all Sunday long. After brunch with family and watching a World Cup soccer match on tv, we headed to this park and stay there for a while to relax and to sketch of course. I always though that those giant fountain flowers were oversized for the park but they are so “sketchable”! It is until I was sketching this view that I observed that there are so many especies of trees. The monument to the Mother was made of marble, it has a shade of blue and the light of the sunset was reflecting also on it, so it made it quite interesting.

The Kiosk of Musicians in Plaza de Armas, San Luis Potosí city.

 

Pen&ink and watercolor on A6 Hahnemühle cotton sketchbook 

I met with Nadia Samarina in downtown San Luis Potosí. Every time I visit this city she’s kind to find time to meet with me and sketch together. She let me chose the place, the Kiosk of Musicians in Plaza de Armas. I’ve never done this structure. As I was sketching I read one the names displayed on the side of the kiosk I was sketching, it shows Genaro Codina. It was the name of the street where I grew up in Zacatecas city, what a coincidence!

After sketching we went for a coffee where Nadia’s work is displayed and for sale. Her work is wonderful. It is at this Cafe were she gave me a book she published this year, a book of sketches of San Luis Potosí, sponsored by San Luis Potosí city’s government. What a gift! It was a pleasant surprise since I’m an admirer of her work.

Nadia Samarinda’s book.

Before leaving the place we took a selfie to remember our encounter. We’ll meet again for sure, Nadia is a very talented artist and always great company. And yes, we both cut our hair short without knowing each other did, great minds think alike! Ha!

Nadia and truly yours at the cafe. Her work displayed in the background.

Former Hacienda La Labor del Rio, San Luis Potosí

 

Pitt oil base pencil and watercolor on A6 Hahnemuhle cotton sketchbook

A man was fixing the light outside the church of the former Hacienda La Labor del Río, close to balneario de Lourdes Hotel. Inside the humbled decorated church, a woman was swiping the decaying stone floor. Only two people were in this place of what it seemed like the main square, perhaps the only one. The hollow building in front of me was actually just a wall, the front wall of what it used to be a building. 

The silence of this place is gold, of course it’s a matter of perspective. Perhaps for the inhabitants of this village, noisy festivals are welcome and look forward to, but for us, the sound of the wind and one single broom’s rhythmic sound was quiet enough. Sketching went fast. 

Pen&ink and watercolor on A6 Hahnemuhle cotton sketchbook 

We left the village. We found a herd of cows and calves on the road to the highway. They stopped one by one on the middle of the road while crossing it to take a look at us very curiously. A photo at home was used to make this last sketch on this mini getaway

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Lourdes Baths, outside San Luis Potosí city, Mexico

 

Pen&ink and watercolor on A6 Hahnemühle cotton sketchboook

After catching up with family and friends in the city of San Luis Potosí, we headed to Balneario de Lourdes outside the city. It has been one of my favorite spots to visit to have a break from the hustle and bustle of the city. The former Hacienda is rich in history. The hotel was built after the discovery of hot springs which was and still it is believed to have healing properties. I sat outside our bedroom to this view in the early morning. The sounds of birds and a little fountain woke up my senses, the fresh air seemed to be a favorite of many butterflies of all sort of sizes flying by. The restaurant was already open but I asked for a cup of coffee to be brought to my seating area in this hallway. Breath in, breath out, sketch, go.