Tag: Sierra Nevada

Color Flickers and Vibrates

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“Invocation with Nature” by Rita Alvarez

Intimacy with Nature exhibit is on display now at Luna’s Cafe. From June 26th thru September 2nd, 2017 nine selected paintings, featuring California’s Central Valley foothill and mountain regions will adorn the quaint cafe in downtown Sacramento.

This show marks my return to art and life. What a journey this process has been! For a year and a half  I was ill and the healing process has been long. Today I am so grateful to my restored good health and more determined than ever to give 110% to living a healthy, happy and artful life. I won’t go into my new healthy and balanced artist lifestyle here, but I promise to write on it later. For now I really want to focus on the exhilarating and inspiring feeling of painting again.

All of a sudden I see everyday surroundings full of movement and atmosphere, and my eyes become super sensitive to color. Colors flicker and vibrate, vying for my attention. The present moment becomes the most heavenly place ever. The trees swaying in the wind saying “look at me, look at me I’m singing”. The water sparkling, dancing. The rocks say, “do I have a story to tell you”! I begin to wonder, why do I get to see and experience all this glory? Those awesome experiences always leave me wanting people to see what I have seen. The action itself, of trying to paint what I feel, cannot be shared; but I always hope, as the viewer traces my brushstroke across the canvas, they will somehow share my experiences and see things as I have.

I invite you to please come help me celebrate this new body of artwork inspired by the unique and artful California Foothills!

~ Rita Alvarez, Artist

Intimacy with Nature exhibit, at Luna’s Cafe

June 26th – September 2nd 2017

1414 16th Street
Sacramento, CA 95814

Save the date! Artist Reception: July 15th, 4 – 7 pm

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Sacré Coeur, Paris Drawing

 

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Since today is Easter I would like to share a drawing of an angel sculpture. I did this drawing while sitting in the Sacré Coeur Basilica, Paris France. This is one of four angels that live high up in the central dome, one for each direction.  I hope you enjoy and have a Happy Easter.

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UC Davis, Arboretum

drawingoneasel5Web Version

“Live Oak and Soft Rush Grass”

Today, I happily share with you my finished 9 x 12 graphite drawing. This drawing, “Live Oak and Soft Rush Grass” focuses on the historical beauty of the California Landscape.

 

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Hugelkultur: In the Sierra Nevada Foothills?

HugelkulturThis common sense and brilliant technique can save you money, and when practiced will improve your communities environmental health. Click on the Rita Alvarez Learning Center tab and go to the Garden section to learn more about this important water, tree and air quality saving tip!

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Drawing the Bobcat

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This is a study in graphite of a gorgeous creature that lives here in the Sierra Nevada Foothills. The Bobcat, Lynx rufus never ceases to amaze me when it pops out of a bush or strolls across my front yard. I love so many of it’s physical attributes like it’s tufted ears and bob tail as well as it’s hunting adaptability and just plain coolness.

While looking at the Bobcat I realized how intelligently designed it’s fur is, from the speckled pattern that breaks up it’s outline, to longer hairs under it’s belly, and behind it’s legs to wick away moisture. I also noticed thicker hairs on different parts of the body for temperature control. The entire shoulder, arm and paw including the hind haunches are built for the pounce and subduing it’s prey. These may seem like observations that a biologist would make but this is also how an artist sees and thinks when making art.

Here is how I started my drawing. I went from a quick gesture drawing to a precise line drawing that accurately described the form before I allowed myself to even begin rendering the hair and the easily identifiable characteristics. I also check and correct the outline drawing using Unit and Angle measuring techniques until the form can no longer be corrected. “The longer you stay in this stage the more convincing your drawing will be.” This is a first and important step in all of my studies. I hope this has added a little art to your life, helped inspire you to look at and appreciate nature and love the bobcat!

I plan to share more drawing tips in future posts.

This drawing was made from the photography by: DeBold, Don. Calero Creek Bobcat. Digital image. https://www.flickr.com/people/28156071@N00. Don DeBold, 1 Dec. 2007. Web. 20 Dec. 2015.

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