A few days in a cabin in Sierra de Álvarez, San Luis Potosí

Pen&ink and watercolor on A6 cotton Hahnemühle sketchbook 

 We stayed in a cabin in Sierra de Alvarez, one hour away driving from the city of San Luis Potosí. We’ve been very active socially and we needed to recharge batteries for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with family. From the balcony of our bedroom, on the lower floor of the cabin, we had this view. 

Pencil, watercolor and color pencils on HP watercolor paper 10 in x 7 in

We saw the fog pass by early morning, that is the humidity coming from the Gulf of Mexico on the East. The fog never crosses the Sierra Madre chain of mountains. Therefore this woody area remains green and the city of San Luis Potosí, which is to the West across the mountains is very dry. 

There are grey and white boulders and rock formations at the right of the sketch above, which gives this place the name “El valle de los fantasmas”, the valley of ghosts, because at night they stand out in the darkness. My brother brought his binoculars, we were prepared for the lack of internet and cell phone signal. We watched cows, horses, dears, squirrels and Mexican jays most of the days, Mexican jay is a bird from the family of crows with Celeste and grey plumage. We also saw bats at night!

Pen&ink and watercolor on A6 cotton Hahnemühle sketchbook

The firewood stove kept us warm. I made a sketch of the stove which was a night and morning savior. So I made a sketch of the cabin, the view and the interior, while we enjoyed the silence and peaceful time, away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Repairing reading glasses

Pen&ink and watercolor on A6 cotton Hahnemühle sketchbook 

 After dropping the Christmas postcards that I sketched at the post office,

 I stopped at an optic store near by and asked if they repair glasses frames. I damaged the hinge of the only reading glasses I brought with me. A nice senior welcomed me in  the store and told me he could do it and asked me to return in an hour but I chose to stayed there. While I waited I sketched the place without my the reading glasses they were repairing and I needed to sketch, oh boy here it goes. The glasses were repaired in just 30 minutes for only 3 USD! I showed the inked sketch to the senior man, he was delighted. I was delighted also and told him about how nice it was of him taking the time to dress so nicely with suit and tie to work, I, as a costumer appreciate it. He humbly thanked me for the comment, there was pride on his face.

I left the store very happy with my repaired glasses, able to see world again and sketch it.

Meet up with USk of San Luis Potosí

Pitt oil base pencil and watercolor on A6 cotton Hahnemühle 

 Today I met with de urban sketchers of San Luis Potosí. It’s been a joy to watch the group grow through the years, with more members and more diverse. I felt welcomed by the group and by creator of this chapter Nadia Samarina. 

Pen&ink and watercolor on A6 cotton Hahnemühle sketchbook

The manager of the place asked the group to sketch upstairs, on the second floor. They view was limited so I focused on Luis Manuel and Isabel who were across the table from me. It took me 45 minutes. Then I went to the ground floor’s courtyard, it took me another 45 minutes to do the top sketch. It was a beautiful place, beautiful people, nice music and good coffee.

It was the farewell to this year 2022! Thank you USk SLP!

Atole and tamale vendor.

Fineliner and watercolor on A6 Hahnemüle cotton sketchbook 

 My appointment was 9:25 am but I was there at 8:30 am. The cold mornings in winter means business for atole and tamales vendors. They know where long waiting lines in downtown San Luis Potosi city, they are all over. Atole is a hot sweetened drink made with corn dough or corn starch flavored usually with fresh fruit. It is a convenient way to stay warm while you wait in line, service is fast, food is delicious and it’s easy on the pocket! How much you wonder? 0.75 USD each. That’s a steal!

Postcards

Watercolor over ink 

Ink over watercolor

 I sketched some postcards of the city of San Luis Potosí. I enjoy doing this and let someone we love or appreciate we are thinking of them. Unfortunately the post service in Mexico might take a long time, but still I would like to receive one, even if it arrives late. Well here they go!

Unwanted attention

Pen&ink and color pencils on A6 Hahnemühle cotton sketchbook 

 Laughter, loud laughter is a constant when we met with my Mexican family at restaurants. I got use to heads turning to us because we could be loud occasionally. It’s a good thing because we are enjoying each other’s company but people react differently to the laughter at our table, either they are surprised or they just smile at us. We can’t help it.