watercolor on 140 # Arches cold press – approx. 20 3/4″ x 13 1/2″
A lone musician plays the accordion in Old San Juan while people go to the beach.
I was attracted to this image because of the slope of the accordionist’s body as he plays his lonely tune. I tried out my new technique of putting some people in the background. Turns out they are fat. Bummer.
I am envious of people who can speak two languages. I have been trying to learn Spanish since my teen years. High School = 3 years of Spanish (and one year of Latin to help me with all the other Romance Languages I can’t learn!) College = another year of Spanish. Adult education lessons, books, tapes and CDs and still I can only ask for the bathroom, the check, or tell someone my luggage is aflame.
I can’t really tell someone my luggage is aflame, but that probably would be a good thing to know how to say if my luggage actually did catch fire.
The Husband used to know a few handy phrases in Spanish. “Please put your hands behind your back” (he’s very polite) and “Up against the wall” usually worked. Charlie, my dog walking friend, got a first job out of college teaching prison guards conversational Spanish. I think they needed to learn the same phrases as The Husband. I need to do one of those immersion programs where you live with a Spanish family and you only speak and hear Spanish. I swear, one of these days I will learn Spanish.
On another note, I joined up for a sketchbook project. I may have shared this information with a few of you, but if not, here’s the link with all the info: http://arthousecoop.com/projects/sketchbookproject. Sounds like fun.
Yo estoy barracha!
39 comments
Comments feed for this article
August 1, 2010 at 6:11 pm
carrington
I love this one…the detail in the shoes is awesome!!! Are you there on vacation?
I joined the sketchbook project. We will have to tour it together when it comes to NYC!
August 1, 2010 at 6:33 pm
CarolKing
Ha, I wish I was on vacation. Still here. And yes, when the sketchbook project is ready for viewing we can see it together! Can’t wait. Thanks for stopping by. (How’s your knee?)
August 1, 2010 at 7:15 pm
lesliepaints
Isn’t Charlie the friend you walk Kaiya with in the evenings? If he speaks Spanish, make the rule that you only converse in Spanish on the walks. 🙂 VOILA! You will be bi-lingual in no time at all.
What a lovely watercolor, complete with light and shadow.
August 1, 2010 at 7:47 pm
CarolKing
It was a very long time ago that Charlie taught Spanish to prison guards. But that is a good idea. I’m sure I can eke a phrase or two out of him
Thank you for your comment. I was thinking a bit about Don Andrews when I did it.
August 1, 2010 at 7:18 pm
jimmyboi2
Carol, remember when we tried to learn Kreplachian? We didn’t get our diplomas… but we DID get deported!
I love this one; the middle-aged couple in the rear speak volumes.
HE: But I want to stop in at the model train store before it closes!
She: Whaddayou, five years old? Model trains my ass! I’m going for a drink!
The shadows are wonderful– very evocative of a cool spot in the blinding sun.
August 1, 2010 at 7:47 pm
CarolKing
Hahahahahahaha! You kill me! Your imagination knows no bounds. (but i TOLD you never to mention the deportation again!)
August 1, 2010 at 8:08 pm
jaybastian
Lovely painting. Your shadows are moy beuno!
August 1, 2010 at 8:31 pm
CarolKing
Muchas gracias Jay. Usted es demasiado bueno.
August 1, 2010 at 8:45 pm
Mary Schwalm
You might be the only puerto rican i know (half or otherwise) that doesn’t speak spanish. That’s something to hold on too, ya know, something to set you apart from the others? but if you insist, maybe you should also learn (aside from luggage fires) how to tell the alpaca to stay on the steep and windy path! Something like: Cuatro pies en el suelo, Alpaca, manténgase a la derecha!!
August 1, 2010 at 9:10 pm
CarolKing
Thank you for that useful phrase. I will commit it to memory. I also know another handy phrase: Si tu ves una llama donde hay gente nadando, grita Cuidado Llamas!
And to be fair. I also don’t speak Italian. Or Vlasky. Or Croatian. There are so many languages I don’t speak.
August 1, 2010 at 10:10 pm
Valerie
Me gusta mucho tu pintura!
August 1, 2010 at 10:41 pm
CarolKing
Val, Así que me alegro de verte! Thanks for stopping by. Looking forward to seeing you in person one of these days.
August 2, 2010 at 5:57 am
CathyG
Love the shapes and shadows in this one, and the little – portly – people walking off make the musician seem even lonelier. You have caught his attitude and involvement with his music perfectly.
Thanks for the heads up on the Sketchbook project – I have been thinking about it, wondering if I’d be able to apply myself in amongst other commitments – will think a little more!
August 3, 2010 at 9:51 pm
CarolKing
Thanks so much Cathy. I appreciate your comments since you sketch people so well! I still remember your friend’s birthday party drawing you did.
August 2, 2010 at 7:09 am
Gigi
I love this painting Carol! I recognize the street too! You’ve made me “homesick” for Old San Juan! Every time the plane touches down on that beautiful Island I feel like I’m home. Old San Juan has been beckoning me for years! The only thing missing are the pigeons.
The fat couple in the back are rushing back to their cruise ship. They’ve used up all their coupons for the stores and don’t want to spend anymore money!
August 3, 2010 at 9:52 pm
CarolKing
Gigi, you’re killing me with your story about the fat couple. And I bet you’re right on the money!
August 2, 2010 at 7:37 am
Bonnie Luria
You really nailed the man’s pose, the shadows, and the detail on his suitcase. If you hadn’t mentioned the background people, I wouldn’t have paid attention to them because your accordion player stole the show.
It’s a tie here today: Jimmys comment and Marys comment.
What theme have you picked for the sketchbook contest? It’s very cool that you’re committing yourself to do it.
August 3, 2010 at 9:53 pm
CarolKing
Bon Bon, Thanks so much for your comment about the man’s pose, you the queen of expressive figures. And I agree, so far, Jim and Mary are tied.
Sketchbook theme is A DAY IN THE LIFE. Not a clue what I’m gonna do yet thought. My sketchbook may end up being blank.
August 2, 2010 at 8:32 am
Patti Werner
Carol, I LOVED the painting! I also think they are hurrying back to their cruise ship so they don’t miss one of the endless buffets offered almost round the clock. (I’ve been on many cruises) Anyway, how many middled aged tourists are fit? Certainly not me! HaHa. Keep up the good work!
August 3, 2010 at 9:55 pm
CarolKing
HAHA! You’re still a funny one. I have been on one cruise and was mortified at the amount of food that was available. I also must admit that I felt very guilty the whole time thinking about people who are starving. Kinda took away the fun of the cruise for me.
August 2, 2010 at 11:15 am
Alex Zonis
If you didn’t read Dave Barry’s Only Travel Guide You’ll Ever Need, you must run, not walk, to Amazon and grab one. Aside from learning how to say “This is the fish of my brother Raul” and names for pieces of furniture you never cared to know in your first language, – you will be laughing for weeks. It is Dave Barry after all :D.
Trying to stay on the topic of art… This is a lovely street scene! I am so taken with how the musician’s body to twisted to the instrument. I’ve seen this twist many times, this exactly how an accordion is played – very real!
August 3, 2010 at 9:56 pm
CarolKing
Dave Barry is very, very funny. So is Bill Bryson. He writes excellent travel books. Glad you like the street scene and the position of the musician.
August 5, 2010 at 3:47 am
jimmyboi2
Bill Bryson knocks Dave Barry outta the park! 😉
August 2, 2010 at 9:36 pm
Artswebshow
his is a really nice painting Carol.
Very quaint
August 3, 2010 at 9:56 pm
CarolKing
Thanks Kokot. I think he was playing your guitar a little earlier.
August 3, 2010 at 10:31 am
Beth Parker
I love the painting, Carol! The purples are yummy in it!!! Great shadows! I love the addition of the little people, too!
My husband lived in Cancun in the 80’s for a couple years and when we went there on ’04, he warned me that with enough tequila, he thought he could speak Spanish. One night at dinner and after he had some tequila, I had to translate his Spanish into English, so the Mexican waiter could understand his order. he he
August 3, 2010 at 3:02 pm
Beth Parker
I forgot to tell you… I did the Sketchbook Project 3 and it was so fun! The books were 64 pages long! I did every page! You’ll have a great time! I have participated in 5 different Art House Co-op Projects and they were all fun!
August 3, 2010 at 9:58 pm
CarolKing
I remember some of your Art House Co-op Projects. You are so creative!
August 3, 2010 at 9:58 pm
CarolKing
LOL…with enough tequila, I bet anyone could speak any language! Funny story. Thanks for your comments about the painting. I like the purple shadows too. I think I was a bit bolder with color this time.
August 3, 2010 at 2:12 pm
Alonso
Great painting love it 🙂 Have a great day and thanks for sharing.
August 3, 2010 at 10:00 pm
CarolKing
Alonso, you are too kind! I like what you’re doing with watercolor too.
August 3, 2010 at 3:32 pm
asmalltowndad
This has great moods, with the shadows, colors and calm position of the music man.
Ain’t no better language than english, I’ll speak it until something more better comes along!
August 3, 2010 at 10:01 pm
CarolKing
Ryan, thanks for your comments. He does seem calm, doesn’t he. Even if he has no audience.
August 4, 2010 at 6:34 pm
Pat Coakley
I love love this painting. You may think it odd but it made me think of that Auden line from his “Beaux Arts” poem about how suffering goes on while someone else is eating or raising a window or walking dully along (to the beach). The solitary (and lean) accordian player– in front of the arched bars and stone building which reminds me of a prison, at minimum a barrier to those passing by–His soulful pose and perhaps song perhaps can be heard by those within. Yeah, I’m a real trip to the beach if you are hoping for a tsunami. My Irish DNA rules.
August 4, 2010 at 11:52 pm
CarolKing
Thanks Pat, I loved your comparison to “Beaux Arts” and I agree. And who doesn’t love your Irish DNA?
August 5, 2010 at 9:27 am
Alice
I love this painting. You can capture a mood so beautifully!
August 15, 2010 at 12:09 am
CarolKing
awwww thanks Alice.
August 14, 2010 at 9:18 pm
Jala Pfaff
Nice.
Did you know I’m a Spanish instructor? (This is not the beginning of a joke; it’s the truth.)
So because you’ve expressed a need for this information: “!Socorro! !Mis maletas esta’n en llamas!” There, now you’re (linguistically) prepared.
August 15, 2010 at 12:10 am
CarolKing
THANKS SO MUCH! I will need that phrase for my upcoming trip. And I like how you were able to type the upside down exclamation point! Very impressive.