ART OF CRUISING THE CARIBBEAN -3

"The art of seeing nature is a thing almost as much to be acquired as the art of reading Egyptian hieroglyphics." -Constable

BEAUTIFUL BARBADOS It is one of the few Caribbean islands solely colonized by one nation, England. No wonder, you'll hear English names like Worthy and Hastings or that you find a Trafalgar Square here. But look around and you'll know you're not in London. Barbados is rich and fertile tropical fields meet a glistening azure sea.

JOHN CONSTABLE was a leading English landscape painter. He is known mainly for his paintings of the rural areas of Southern England. Constable emphasized such environmental features as the appearance of the sky and clouds, and the effects of lights and shadow on the landscape. He believed such features in a painting reflected nature accurately. Constable fresh style influenced the Impressionist painters. Constable used vivid colors in many of his earlier paintings. After his wife died, he painted a number of dark, moody pictures that reflected his depression. There is no other artist more qualified to be our imaginary tour guide of Barbados than Constable. Let's trust his artistic eyes, so we can see natural landscapes at its best.

B.........................BEAUTIFUL
A........................ATTRACTIVE, ALIVE, ALLURING

R........................REJUVENATING

B........................BATHING BEAUTY

A........................ARTISTIC

D........................DELIGHTFUL

O........................OLD-FASHIONED
S........................SPECTACULAR

BEAUTIFUL BRIDGETOWN With colorful buildings. this small downtown will transport you to Trafalgar Square in London. Sometimes called "England in the Caribbean." This town is graced with such sights as Heroes Square and the Houses of Parliament. But it's the vibrant Caribbean colors that makes this island beautiful to the eyes.

ATTRACTIVE BARBADOS LANDSCAPE This attractive rural setting will get your attention and inspire you to start painting like the Impressionists artists. The Impressionist don't see and paint things as they are, but as how they feel about it. You don't have to be as skillful as Constable. You can paint like the impressionist. Paint what you feel.

ALIVE! What will make you feel more alive in this island? Not Starbucks coffee! But swaying palms and colorful Caribbean beach towels with vibrant patterns and prints. Think bold colors - deep orange, red, blue, purple and green. All these palette of colors are not imaginary. Just look around you and you'll see naturally bold colors dancing everywhere. Bright colors send the eyes dancing and the heart pumping.

REJUVENATING SUNSET Nothing is more rejuvenating to the body, soul and spirit than basking in the colorful glow of a legendary Caribbean sunset. This, I thought, is what Heaven is like, a vast expanse filled with beauty. Everywhere, I looked, my vision was filled with dizzying array of orange and yellow in every shade, tint, gleaming in a kaleidoscope of dazzling sunset color.

BATHING BEAUTY Oh beautiful! Just beautiful! This beguiling huge rock is named after a beautiful woman named BATHSHEBA. If you remember your Bible story, Bathsheba was the bathing beauty that made King David fall into sin. You'll feel good when you look at "Bathsheba" but men "Beware!"

ARTISTIC ROCK This artistic, natural rock is created by Mother Nature. Not even Michelangelo can create something like this.

DELIGHTFUL OCEAN VIEW This is a real gem you won't want to miss, and become part of the delightful cutting-edge seascape. Many of the beautiful views shown on my blog were photographed by my husband. This view is taken 800 feet above the Atlantic Ocean. My husband is not an artist but has a good photographic eyes. Photography is one of his hobbies. With practice he is able to capture, delightful Barbados landscapes and seascapes in just few seconds. Its ironic that it took Constable months or years to paint his many English landscapes. During his time, there was no digital camera yet.

OLD-FASHIONED CHURCH Visited and discovered St. John's Church perched 800 feet above the Atlantic Ocean. This old church reminded us of Westminster Abbey in London. This is a mini-version of that great cathedral. Like the Abbey this very old church has tombs inside and is surrounded with grave yards. It looks creepy if not for the beautiful ocean view below.

OLD-FASHIONED GRAVEYARD This graveyard is artistically landscaped with creepy-looking trees. I wonder why artist don't paint graveyards.

SPECTACULAR VIEWS OF THE CARIBBEAN FROM BARBADOS This spectacular view of sky and sea is a nice stand-in for a Constable painting without the palm tree and a ship. Although this is not a Constable painting, the setting truly inspired me. There are other ways to be inspired but for me the SEA is number one. The place I feel more serene and relax are always by the sea.

PARTING THOUGHT: I read a story about a man who picked up an old, dried-out starfish. With great care he put it back in the sea. He said, "Oh, its just dried out but when it gets moisture again, it's going to come back to life." Many times, we get to the point where we sort of dry out, and all we need is a little more moisture to get started again. For me, after a cruise and seeing vast ocean, I am raring to get back to my easel, paintbrushes and writing. My creative juices started flowing again.

ART OF CRUISING THE CARIBBEAN -2

"Remember that imagination is the faculty of the soul and that when it suggests new pathways to us we are being invited to explore the territory of the soul in ways that certainly change and re-enchant us." - Caitlin Matthews

PUERTO RICO (OLD SAN JUAN) - This is one of the places my husband and I dreamed of seeing someday. It's unbelievable we finally reached this dream destination. This"new pathways" which opened to us is worth exploring. In the process, it certainly changed and re- enchanted our imaginations and souls. This island is just 100 miles long and 30 miles wide. Puerto Rico is an island bursting with variety. It has mountains to climb, rain forests to hike, a cosmopolitan metropolis for dining, fine museums, quaint villages, colorful architecture that begs to take pictures.

U.S. TERRITORY Before it became a U.S. territory in 1898, this small island spent 400 years as a Spanish possession. Today's vibrant Puerto Rican society is an exuberant blend of native Indian, Spanish and African culture, with a generous helping of modern Americana. Puerto Rico is always lively and never, ever-boring. Rapid-fire Spanish is the dominant language among the 3.8 million inhabitants, but English is widely spoken and friendliness is the order of the day.

PAUL KLEE He ranks among the greatest and most original masters of modern painting. Klee's thousands of paintings and drawings are masterpieces of fantasy, wit and invention. His paintings are filled with childlike symbols and writing that hint at a mysterious inner vision of the world and its inhabitants. He said, "One eye sees, the other feels." How about inviting an artist like Paul Klee to be our imaginary tour guide in Old San Juan? Why him? Paul is not an ordinary guide. Most tour guides talk non-stop. Paul is different - very imaginative and witty. He suggested that when you see the world, you have to use both eyes, one for seeing, the other for feeling. That's the way to to have a balance outlook. Now, let's see this old city through the perspective of a modern artist. I think it's interesting mixing the modern eye with old-fashioned feeling .

P......................PETTY, PANORAMIC, PRECIOUS

U......................UNIQUE, UNUSUAL

E......................EXCITING, ENIGMATIC

R......................RAVISHING, RESTFUL

T......................TERRIFIC, TASTEFUL

O......................OLDIES, OCEAN-FUL

R......................RICH

I.......................INTERESTING, INVITING

C......................CHARMING,CALM

O......................OPULENT, ORIGINAL

PRETTY Welcome to Old San Juan (Puerto Rico). Yes, Old San Juan is like a pretty elderly woman. Surely, it's the old lines, marks and antiquities that makes this city very pretty and interesting. NO kidding! In the same thought, I think an elderly woman can also be pretty and age gracefully without hiding her lines or wrinkles. Fort Morro never had a face lift after 400 years and remained pretty as it is. Feeling pretty has something to do with our attitude toward aging. It is no longer about how old you are. It's about how old you feel. In the art world, we use different lines-straight, diagonal or curve to create pretty paintings and designs. Paul as a contemporary artist never painted portrait. While the Renaissance artists painted detailed portraits. Paul often used lines to impart symbols and mystery in his modern paintings which are beautiful despite of mostly suggestive lines.

PANORAMIC This is the panoramic view of the ocean surrounding Fort Morro in Old San Juan. This pretty fort is built along the ocean. Good for romantic strolling, sunset-watching, relaxing or just feeling the balmy Caribbean breeze. See the different shades of blue from sky to sea - sapphire, indigo, turquoise, aqua, azure, etc. This blue palette are often used by many artists to make your world and mind calm and restful.

PRECIOUS This treasured and precious monument was a tribute to Christopher Columbus, who was the first explorer to sail through the more than 50 beautiful islands and cays in the Caribbean. Who created this sculpture? I have no idea, but he was as great as the image he sculpted.
ENIGMATIC Oh yes! Old San Juan is an enigmatic, living, and breathing city, filled with intriguing colorful shops, fine art galleries, charming hotels and restaurants. Its enigma magnetized us and many tourists plus cruisers flocking to this island. Many tourists appreciated the handcrafted works and paintings of local artists and were buying and collecting them. I look for something simple or complicated, that someone put a lot of thought into making. You'll also feel like you're back to the Old World (Europe) as you walked the narrow and rickety cobblestone streets. Think you're in Old Italy or Old Paris watching by - gone artists recreating their masterpieces.

EXCITING In this town , graceful and colorful colonial buildings are painted in bright pastels. The best way to get around the old city is on foot, since parking is very limited and expensive within the historic city. In touring this old city, we exercised not only our eyes and heart but our feet, as well. Be always curious and insightful. See beyond the box and feel like the Impressionists painters. Bright colors will make you feel good, as you see this old city glowing with radiance.
RAVISHING Seeing this ravishing ocean from Fort Morro will re-connect you to the past. This place is rich in history. While here, you'll imagine walking with senoritas and senoritos strolling through history. What a wonderful way to get acquainted with the Old City.

RESTFUL What a place to get away! I recommend leaving. As long as you are in your home, something will keep you busy. The laundry piles up, e-mail messages wait to be answered, the kitchen sink is full of dishes, the garden needs cutting, and the weeds thrive in the flowerbeds. The phone rings and even if you don't answer it, you fret about whether it is an emergency. To be fully inspired, you have to trade your home space for something extra-ordinary. A restful scene will make you feel less stress and more creative.

TASTEFUL To walk the ramparts of historic Fort Morro in the Old San Juan is a step back in history. In fact, you'll feel transported to the Caribbean of Spanish Colonial lore throughout the old city. You'll feel hungry too from non-stop walking. Your feet will ache and beg you to stop. What to do? Take time to eat refreshing and tasteful Caribbean cuisine at Cafe Amapola. The tapas are "simply deliciosioso." This Cafe is located between Fort Morro and Fort Cristobal, facing the charming Caribbean ocean.
TERRIFIC! What a terrific painting! This huge hibiscus flower will greet you happily upon entering the cafe. You know how it feels to walk into a welcoming restaurant. Something about the painting or decor makes you feel good and comfortable. Think happy complimentary color- red and green. Complimentary colors give lots of excitement. Just by looking at this pretty painting the bright colors will send your eyes dancing with the swaying palms and breezes. You don't have to splurge on a pricey Pina Colada. Save your $6.00 for nice, handcrafted jewelry made by local artists.

OLDIES BUT GOLDIES How does it feels to be strolling among the old ramparts of historic Fort Morro? It feels like strolling among old buccaneers and pirates of the Caribbean, I guess. But today, you can see and savor many golden historical memories. Some will give you the creeps.OLDIES BUT GOODIES Here, you can see canons, bastions, powder houses and most of all the wall that surrounds the city of Old San Juan. This system of defense is a reminder of Spain's power and significance of Puerto Rico, the guardian of and the front door to the wealth of the Caribbean, centuries ago.
OCEAN-FUL This inspirational ocean setting is soothing to the eyes. It is not over-rated that the Caribbean ocean is flowing with many different shades of blue - from light blue, medium blue to dark blue. It surely gives artists an ocean-ful palette of blue colors. So many choices for the artists. Blue is a calming color, and the Caribbean has all the blue colors you can imagine.
RICH This richly colored yellow El Convento Hotel is formerly an old monastery. It is converted into an old-fashioned hotel. Very interesting place to stroll with lovely garden, restaurants and art display. It will made you feel serene. The old monastic feel is still there.INTERESTING What an interesting architectural detail! This is not an old grave but an entrance to somewhere?. What a nice marbleized color combination - yellow ochre with black and gray! These natural colors are obtained through the passing of centuries. A natural process of aging.
INVITING Another interesting architectural detail. This handsome tower reconnects us to the Old Intramuros in Manila but this one is more massive and far more grander. The Spaniards fortified this fort to the "max" that no enemies were able to destroy it.
CHARMING Another charming view of the tower. This is the narrow passage leading to the look-out. WOW! You'll see a charming and calming blue ocean around. What do the Pyramids of Egypt and Manchu Picchu, the lost city of the Incas high in the Andes, have in common with the forts of Old San Juan? All are monuments whose splendor enriches each of us, and all are World Heritage Sites, whose exceptional universal cultural value has been recognized by the international community. This World Heritage Sites have been pledged by their nations to be preserved and protected, with the support of the entire nation, for future generations as the greatest treasures of humankind.
ORIGINAL This is the original site, where the famous Pina Colada was created by Don Ramon. Cheers to this beautiful, old city of San Juan!

TO SEE IS TO BELIEVE When you see something, you believe it right? Hopefully, as you see these photos you have a better perspective of Puerto Rico and that you believe how pretty it is. Let's start listening to Paul Klee. Let's see the world with one eye and feel with the other. What you see will only be meaningful if you have emotional attachment to it. If you see it without any feeling, it's nothing. Till our next tour.

ART OF CRUISING THE CARIBBEAN - 1

"AS THE MIND CLEARS, THE EYES SEE MORE." - From Four Seasons Resort

ENRICHMENT AND INSPIRATION As an artist these are my main goals in taking a cruise or vacation. As I said before, I get my best ideas and inspiration for my painting while on a vacation. I get energized and inspired that I could hardly wait to get back to my easel and paintbrushes. Although painting is not my primary source of income, it's my passion. I feel fulfilled and happy, when I am painting or creating. On the other hand, if I don't travel, routine depletes me of my creative energy. So I need to travel to clear my mind and spirit of clutter, tension and routine. But most of all to enjoy a creative life.

CHARMING CARIBBEAN Last February of this year, my husband and I took a cruise to the Southern Caribbean. Although this was our third cruise to the Caribbean, indeed it was still an exciting trip. As you know, we are island addicts and never got bored visiting as many islands. Prior to our seven-day cruise aboard the Crown Princess we stayed in Puerto Rico, where we embarked on our cruise.
HYATT HACIENDA DEL MAR IN PUERTO RICO This is the vacation club where we stayed to re-energize our bodies and refocus our minds. It is true that as the mind clears, the eyes see more. Life is gracious and unhurried at this beachfront destination located on Puerto Rico's famed Dorado Beach. Hyatt Hacienda del Mar is the perfect place to call home away from home - on the water, surrounded by tropical splendor and steps away from a wealth of relaxing activities and amenities. Come and join us and see this place through the imaginative eyes and point of view of an artist.

H....................HOSPITABLE, HANDSOME, HAPPY, HEAVENLY
Y....................YUMMY
A....................ALIVE
T....................TANTALIZING
T....................THRILLING


D....................DAZZLING
O....................ORDINARY (NOT)
R....................RADIANT
A....................ALLURING
D....................DARLING
O....................OPULENT

HOSPITABLE Think outside the box. See and look at a vacation place beyond its number of stars. Being a Hospitable Host outshines even the finest -five -star hotels like Four Seasons and Ritz Carlton. Hospitality is subjective. Welcome to the Hyatt Vacation Club! Yes, this luxurious vacation club chain is very hospitable, friendly and not too formal. They go out of their way, to pamper their guests without being robbed of too many tips.

HANDSOME Of course my husband couldn't surpass the "handsomeness" of this Hyatt Vacation Club. As they said......"Beauty is in the eye of the beholder." If you ask me what I think about this guy, I'd say..."Si! (YES!)..... he's handsome. He would be a good subject for a portrait painting.

HAPPY According to research the happiest people in the world are those who build sand castle. Where else do you build a sand castle but on a white sand beach? Then invite Michelangelo and Rodin in your imagination. Play and sculpt sand castle together for hours. I bet, you'll be the happiest people in the world. It's an artistic adventure worth your time.

HAPPILY and merrily pose beside a sand castle. If you can't own a real Castle, this is the next best thing to having one. Living in a castle is not a guarantee that you'll be happy. Building a simple sand castle will bring you more happiness, because you'll not be burdened with a huge mortgage payment. You'll have more time to enjoy a creative life.

HOSPITABLE RECEPTION...........and of course very attractive lounge. The receptionists have romantic tones and musical voices with Spanish accents. Most Puerto Rican's are bilingual. Part of the task of the arts is to overcome border (language barrier).

HEAVENLY VIEWS Having a heavenly time from our balcony. What is more inspiring to an artist than a heavenly views with countless swaying palm trees and azure ocean beyond. I don't know about you, but this is my idea of Paradise. I am itching to paint, but when on vacation, it's my break time.

HEAVENLY PANORAMA Am I DREAMING? NO!!!!!!! This is a living colorful paradise set in Hyatt Dorado Beach.

YUMMY Indulging and craving for Japanese Food? This is Paradise but we get hungry too. Time to feast our bodies. Let's have teppanyaki dinner at the Zen Garden Restaurant inside the resort. The food is so...... ......yum....yummy. The cooking show was entertaining and the service ...... so good.

ALIVE This place is sooooooo.....alive with beautiful and colorful tropical flowers. Think complimentary colors (red and green) with tint of yellow. Complimentary colors will make you feel alive. No wonder, while on vacation, everything look brighter, bolder, and more beautiful.

THRILLING Whoever designed this waterfall is a very talented person. What is more thrilling that hearing the sound of running water from this exquisitely man-made waterfall? In Japan, the running of water is a ceremony. Everybody would listen. The sound of the falling water would be almost overpoweringly thrilling. I think of how many people run water in the sinks every single day and never hear it. When was the last time you listened to water and looked at a waterfall? It's thrilling! If there's no waterfall around, open the faucet in your home and listen. Isn't that thrilling?
TANTALIZING Electronic engineers could design a powerful water-dam but only an ordinary landscape designer or architect could built a tantalizing and wonderful water-fall like this?

DAZZLING See........ a dazzling display of natural beauty - dancing blue-green ocean, swaying green palms, blue sky, and white waves. What a dazzling and colorful scenery for future landscape paintings!
ORDINARY? NO way! The countless native palm trees and fresh green coconuts look ordinary but not here in the Caribbean. When you see acres and acres of palm trees they look amazing in huge numbers. This island is surrounded with countless of extraordinary palm trees in all kinds of heights, sizes, shapes, colors, postures and perspectives. I can see great beauty and inspiration on palm trees. It's not an ordinary subject to paint. I have seen lots of good art works about the palm trees and they are inspiring and wonderful.

ORDINARY? Nope! The palm trees may look ordinary but I find the them fascinating subjects for my paintings. The palm trees have many slim and creative lines with angles that could be twisted anyway I like to paint them. I could paint the palm trees as colorful as the Caribbean, with many vibrant colors. This is the impressionists way of painting a palm tree. You paint it not as you see it but how you feel about it.

RADIANT On a clear day............you can see forever. What do you see when the mind is clear? Blue sky, turquoise ocean, azure waves, green palms, red hat, tropical red blouse, white sand, and radiant smile. Learn to see like an artist. Notice the colors around you and you'll have a radiant life bursting with creativity.
ALLURING What is more alluring to an artist than relaxing on a secluded and serene beach? At this time (February) it was less crowded. This kind of setting jump starts my creative juices and gives me many ideas for future paintings.
ASTONISHING! Would you believe that there is natural gigantic rock on the beach awaiting for us? This is really an astonishing beautiful Caribbean hideaway. This is a perfect place for seclusion. I crave this kind of seclusion to be able to focus on my painting. Wish I can take this rock back home to California but it's only a fantasy. Wake up Artist!

DARLING Yes, this Hyatt Vacation Club is a...... darling including the artist standing before you.Oh my darling! Oh my darling......Ebb Tide! What will we do without artists in this world? It will be a dull world, huh?

OPULENT Yes, this vacation club has 3 huge swimming pools and two huge Jacuzzis. We preferred this secluded Jacuzzi with covered patio. A tired artist and a stressed-out husband needed all the pampering and relaxation from this kind of paradise before embarking on a cruise and then going back to reality. After four days in paradise, our minds are cleared and our eyes are ready to see more of the beauty of the Caribbean.

FAREWELL TO A PAINTING

"In my paintings, I try to touch you personally. I try to draw you into each scene so that you can share my dreams and my emotions. I want you to wander with a sense of wonderment through majestic landscapes and in flights of imagination......and bask in the warmth of inner light." - Thomas Kinkade

NOT ALL ARTIST ARE THE SAME I may not be as famous as Thomas Kinkade, renowned "Painter of Light" but we have the same creative aspirations and dreams as artists. Like him....."In my paintings, I try to touch you personally and to draw you into each scene so that you can share my dreams and my emotions. "

SOLD! SOLD! SOLD! SOLD! - "REFLECTIONS BY THE LAKESIDE"
ORIGINAL OIL PAINTING ON CANVASS (16" x 20")
On my older blog dated (April 6, 2007) I posted this beautiful painting on the Internet. I didn't expect that, two weeks later it will be sold. Imagined my delight. Nothing makes an artist happier than to see her artwork getting sold. But at the same time I felt sad at having to say farewell to my painting. This was not the first time, I parted with my other paintings. As always, every time my paintings and me are separated , I felt the void and missed them.

ARTIST'S NOTE: This painting was inspired by many past trips to Lake Tahoe. Last Easter (2007) my husband and I plus out two sons saw and enjoyed Lake Tahoe. We saw this beautiful lakeside resort area before it was devastated by wild fire. I get my best ideas for my paintings during a trip. The feeling of fresh breeze, serene and soothing evergreen mountain landscapes always inspired me. I could hardly wait to go back to my easel and paintbrushes.
I painted this painting when I was feeling blue about my long and difficult hearing problem. I always have a good fighting spirit. I moved forward and didn't allow this obstacle and limitation to stop me from using my creative gift. Thank God, I could paint with my hand and heart and not with my ears. My difficult situation became a blessing in disguise because I was empowered to be more creative. So this painting was created and many more paintings.

MY BEAUTIFUL BUYER I am sure she looks familiar to most of you. I featured her on my older blog (April 4th) during her birthday. She loves and appreciates art. I am picky where my paintings go. I don't just sell it to anybody. I screened my buyers. I want my paintings to be in good hands and homes of people who will take care of my them. I am happy that this particular painting is now owned by my cousin Cely and Dave. I know it will give them many pleasures in the years to come. It will also enrich thier home in Maryland, U.S.A.

A MILLION THANKS! What a consolation to know, that this painting and me are not finally separated. Someday, I will be reconnected to this painting, when I revisit Cely. "A million thanks to Cely and Dave, for being the proud owners of this beautiful painting. Thanks for believing in my artistic talent." This painting may not have the million dollar pricey tag of a Kinkade's painting but mine is.........PRICELESS. Because there are some paintings you can't put a price on. So long, until we meet again!