Alive and well in San Miguel!
Yes I know! I'm way overdue for an update to my new live in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. When I last posted, my husband and I were about to embark on a 33-day holiday trip back to the United States to see family and friends in both Washington State and Las Vegas, Nevada. We "survived the trip" but just barely. I do believe that was my last time traveling in winter months, unless it's somewhere nearer to the equator! By the way, the photo accompanying this post is NOT of San Miguel, but rather the Valley of Fire, located within about an hour's drive of Las Vegas. What an incredible treat for the eyes! I highly recommend visiting this lesser-known area near Sin City. The endless landscape of red rock cliffs, formations and petroglyphs was mind-boggling.
Since arriving back in San Miguel in Central Mexico in January, I have been slowly building my life here as an "expat", whether it's part time or full time is an unknown. This is certainly very different from my 1-2 month visits here in years past–with quite a bit of paperwork, forms, red &green tape and "hoops" to jump through! This mainly came in the form of our (husband David & me) applications to achieve residency here in Mexico. But, after a 1000-mile round trip to Laredo, Texas, to start the process we are on the "home-stretch" with our final Immigration appointment taking place at the end of March. I'm already planning my happy dance as I am consuming a gin martini (shaken, not stirred)!
As far as art and studio time goes, yes, I have been mucking around in the studio with mostly oils and cold wax medium, working in the “abstract” and only recently set up my encaustic equipment. Since the weather is warming up quickly here–it's the dry, warm season right now–I need to switch my studio schedule to mornings due to heat from encaustic equipment-ugh!
I am THRILLED to be participating in the upcoming Jeffrey Hirst workshop, Mixed Media Approaches Towards Printmaking, to be held in the gorgeous Spanish Colonial city of Guanajuato, Mexico. Carborundum printmaking will be the focus. I have wanted to learn this method for quite some time, and I have to thank Jan Davis of Jan Davis Art Experience for telling me about this fantastic workshop that she is hosting. Yippee!
My goals for 2022 are to continue to build a new body of work here in Mexico, and to have a show or two in San Miguel. Most of my encaustic and oil & cold wax paintings are now housed at Lynn Hanson Gallery in Seattle, Washington, and in a storage space just north of there! Please take a look at my website galleries and let me know if you are interested in purchasing any of them! Payment is easy, I usually use PayPal or Zelle. My husband will be in the Seattle area in April and May, and would be happy to deliver art to you, in person, or ship to other places. If my work is at the gallery, Lynn Hanson accepts most credit cards, and can also ship just about anywhere. Please check out my work, and that of other talented artists here: www.lynnhansongallery.com. Or IN PERSON at the gallery!
Finally, if you are interested in a customized encaustic workshop for you or your group in the beautiful city of San Miguel de Allende, please contact me here: lisa@jonesmoorestudioart.com. Encaustic is not only about painting with warm, pigmented wax. It can be combined with collage, printmaking, mixed media and more!
Hasta proxima vez! Until next time!