Writting

Here I am. Thinking about Käthe Kollwitz. Trying to write something about why some artist end working in graphics instead of painting. Why? Well, because I like printing. Because my mother used to tell me that instead of trying to become a painter, I should keep on drawing and printing.

Reading about Kollwitz in an exhibition catalog, I came to know that she thought that she was good at drawing and graphics. I wonder, why I keep on trying to be a painter? Maybe my mother was right.

Work done.

After some months without painting, it has been difficult for me to start over again. Although I have been doing some drawing, the time left for my personal work has been little. Now, that I'm back at the studio, I don't know what to paint, how to start. So I decided to continue with a little painting left unfinished.

Yesterday I finished it. It's in acrylics, on a small gessoed board (40 x 30 cm). I'm satisfied.

The screen printing workshop.

I'm working to get the workshop ready for next week, so that we may start our production of screen prints. My son helped me today to set up the new shelves for paper, inks and whatever is needed. I´m glad I got them. Right now the place is a mess, but there's nothing compared to the expectation of cleaning and fixing up a place for work.

The place is very little, but I have worked there before, and I know I can do it. For the time being, I can't afford other premises. And working at home has it's own benefits. Anyhow, I'm greatful for having my own working place.

For two months little Loup has been the new home atraction...or headache. For Benito, the fat male, she has become a pain in the....she keeps hunting the big cat with ferocious attitud. For Frijola, the shy black female, she is the enemy. For must of the family she is really a menace: drinking from our cups, biting, chewing the toothbrushes, jumping over the bed while we are asleep...But she is good company, like when I take the morning bath, or when I work in my studio. I'm happy I got her.

First impressions count

This text was written for the Pipe Club of Lebanon in December 2009, and sent to my dear friend Paul Jahshant. Now I want to share it.

For a group of four, that never attended such a contest, the idea was tempting. It was in a near by town, Bernal, just two hours far from home and with the third biggest monolith on earth. So after our monthly meeting, three of us decided to go and see.

I had been reading about the slow smoking contest for years, and the invitation from Mexico City was a chance to give a glance to such a thing. During the meeting, we were discussing about the joy of smoking. After all, how we smoke is not important, just having a good time with friends and savoring our favorite blend is. Anyway, after three years of meetings, the chance to travel with friends was a good idea. Near the town of destination, there are two vineyards, and we could meet smokers from other places. Pedro, the last member of our club, would pick up the other two, Arturo and I. It was Saturday morning, a clear sky, and the three of us where heading to visit to de wine-cellar of the vineyard Freixenet. After the tour, and a few glasses of wine, we arrived at the hotel where the contest would be held. There were people from Mexico City, Queretaro, and the host of the contest, Carlos Camacho, from Ezequiel Montes. We moved to a restaurant, facing the famous “peña de Bernal”, with typical food, beer and wine. Everybody was in a very good mood. I had the chance to see some old friends, like Joaquin, President of El Circulo de la Pipa, and Gustavo, President of the Azteca Pipaclub. But most of the smokers were new acquaintances. During the meal, all the three of us declined the invitation to participate in the contest, arguing that we had never participated in one and were inexperienced smokers, but we were willing to see everything that happened. Joaquín told us that we have to participate, and a “no” was not possible. So we didn’t have any chance but to accept. The time had come. We received our tobacco and matches. Got ready, and at the contest was started. We were kind of shy, trying to follow all the directions given. What we were thinking? No one wanted to be the first to abandon the competition! But there was a moment when we wanted to get to the hour, I was near that time. After all, we were happy to be there, of having participated in the competition. We got third, fourth and fifth place (me being the fifth). The contest was fun, in a beautiful place. But it is the fellowship among pipe smokers what we liked the most. We came back to San Luis with the purpose of organizing our first slow smoking contest for 2010, and we are in it.

The group at Bernal

Guillermo Ruizlimon San Luis Potosi, December 2009

Rediscovering painting.

My work at the university has really taken over my time. For some four years I have had little time for my work as an artist. I have been drawing, but not as much as I would like to. I have done some painting, but not enough. Well, I have decided to change things around here.
First, I have started to walk on a daily basis. How could it be possible that a walker wasn't walking? So I'm enjoying my morning walk again. Being at my studio is another thing that helps me change things. It doesn't matter if I don't have time for painting or drawing. Being at the studio every day is helping me. My studio now looks like a studio again, and work is flowing.
I want a change in my life. I have to make the change. What do I have to change? I'm in the move, I am doing changes to have the life I want, to have more time for my art work and for taking care of myself.

Another year that ends...

For some time I removed from my e-mail signature the links for my blogs (this one and another in spanish - el goce de la vida). I just didn't know if it was worth to have a blog if I wasn't writing at all. But I like blogs. I think that some that I follow are great, others make me laugh, and I learn from others. That is why I've decided to keep on writing.
I'm a native spanish speaker (no one could ever know...lol), but I write this one in English because I happen to spend some of my days thinking in English. So if I want to write something, I do it in English. Well, and I have some friends that only speak English...Not always what is written in one blog is translated to the other, although some times I do.
Does anyone read my blogs? Yes, I know some friends do. and for me that's enough. But I also write for myself, because it seems to be good for me. And, after all, I like to share with others, so I'll keep on wtiting.

Best wishes for 2011!

Drawing cats

I have been drawing cats for a while. I didn't notice that most of my drawings are from sleeping cats. Someone told me that it's easier to do it that way, they don't move. Well, yes, they tend to keep in a position for long before changing it. But, in fact, that is not the reazon. I tend to draw them while I'm also in bed, so we are, cat and artist, enjoying the bed relaxing, thing that cats do very well.

I have worked in the zoo, near San Luis, at Mexquitic, drawing a beautiful linx. I love those cats, but it is very difficult, because they keep on moving around. The advantage is that their movement is repetitive (poor little things), so you just have to wait that the cat returns to the same spot.

I was wondering today, couldn't it be great if I work on cat drawings (and paintings) more? I think so, I'm going to give it a try.

new painting

When I was a university student, I share some time with a beatiful female Harris hawk. She was a magnificent bird. I loved to see her fly. So when a dear friend ask me to make a painting of an owl, I was very happy.
I decided to look for pictures of owls at flickr, and found one that would be perfect for what I had in mind. Permission to use it was granted, so I started the painting. I'm glad with the result. But more for the fact that someone likes my work enough to ask for one.

Maruca

On December 30th, at 17:35, my mother in law was passing away.

She was a great woman. Mother of 9. Lived a life full of sorrow and joy. Worked hard and did it well. If something got her interest, she would go really into it. She studied about China, and after all the study, gave a lecture about the country, and was congratulated by Chinese scholars. She was a passionate reader, and wrote some papers. She performed as a leading actress at some theaters here in San Luis, and somoewhere else. She had an avocado orchard that loved and cared for. As a mother in law she was respectful and loving...with some distance. She loved life, enjoyed a good meal and a good drink. Loved to travel, and visited all continents. She was a good friend and good companion.
We will miss her a lot, but her memory will endure.

January first.

No walking today. Instead, an hour an a half quietly smoking in a new pipe and drinking some Earl Grey. Time to relax, remembering old and new friends. Wondering about painting: after some 18 months of almost not a brushstroke, I'm back in creating.

Filemón

Here is my walking pal.

news about Filemón

Not one picture, but a lot of walking. After some days of distress by a skin afection, walking with my young dog has became a delight. A good tempered dog, playful, and with a nice and profound bark, Filemón is becoming a good companion. I'm back in the road!

new companion

I lost, in a few months, my two dogs. In December was Hans, a Giant schnauzer, 15 years old. Then, in February, Nina a 16 year old smooth fox terrier. They have been my walking companions for quite a while, and sure I miss them.

A month ago, Miguel García Maldonado, a schnauzer breeder, here in San Luis Potosí, gave me a beatiful standard schnauzer, He is about two monts an a half by now, and I named him Filemón. Hopefuly, he will be with me for a long time, and we will have long walks. I'm happy!

Done it!

It seems that, some times, it's difficult to do as we plan. I haven't done my walks for a long time now. My loved companion, Hans, a black giant schnauzer, died las december. Painting and drawing seems to be an impossible task when I have to work at a university, teach, and finish my master degree in education.

I keep my meditation practice, and, happily, some drawing and painting is done. As I stated in my last entrance, I am exhibiting some works. The show oppened last thursday (april third) with some 50 persons attending. There has been some good comments, and some inteligent criticism. But more important, the show is there for many to see.

I have done it! More work has to be created, now I have more time for art. I am aware that if Idon't make it possible, if I am not the one who makes it possible, no one will.