Lauren and I were so happy with our 65-70 degree weather last week, we thought the winter was over. We we wrong. It's cold again and we just want to stay inside all the time. Unfortunately, Molly, our dog doesn't agree with that, she insist on taking her walks no matter what.

I keep looking at this painting... it makes think of warm and sunny days, kids playing around, people walking or working in their gardens... it's good to know that spring is almost here. 

I painted this from a photograph I took last Christmas while visiting Nicaragua. I like the way my nephew is so focused on inflating the balloon. I grayed down all the colors but kept the balloon bright and pure in color to intensify that feeling. He is holding and blowing into the balloon as if nothing else matters.


Thanks for looking!

This is another painting from last year I have forgotten to post. I really need to get better at this.

Finally the finished painting!

After the war in the 1980s, Nicaraguans have slowly been able to rebuild economically. With that has come many of the things that for a lot of people are simple basic household items, like televisions. We all know that television has the unfortunate ability to keep everybody on the couch, especially children, and that's what's happening back home in Nicaragua too. Kids are staying inside and old games that require physical activity are slowly disappearing.

I really enjoyed creating this painting of my nephew. It's a reminder of the games we used to play and some of the old traditions that remain in spite of the telenovelas and caricaturas heard from every doorway. I used to make my own baseballs out of old socks when I was little and Jeyson continues that practice today. I'm interested in doing more paintings like this that capture the traditions and pastimes enjoyed by my generation.