Painting around Los Barriles

Beach at Cabo Pulmo. Watercolor

Beach at Cabo Pulmo.  Oil

Hello family and friends.  Life here in Los Barriles is rather slow paced.  We are getting into a routine: Up in the morning and take a walk or bike ride along the beach. Yoga class 3 days a week,  reading and Jan paints in the afternoon; hot tub in the evening.  Not all that many tourists here this year according to the local long time Gringos. I think the news from the states has kept a lot of people home.  All the better for the rest of us as it leaves the beaches and the town not very crowded... except for the great lunch place that we have found for fish tacos.  You have to elbow your way in from 12:00-2:00 to get the wonderful fish or shrimp tacos piled with salsa, guacamole, salad and fresh lime... yum. 

The town of Los Barriles is mostly one main strip, several blocks long with a few side streets thrown in. Lots of little adobe-type houses and palapas (palm roofs) and some very expensive places along the water and through the hills around town.  It is still a rural place with dogs lazing around and every once in a while you see cows or the occasional burro walking down the middle of the Los Barriles main street. On Tuesday the fish guy comes by with fresh fish and shrimp, on Wednesday the strawberry guy shows up with crates of berries, and on Thursday the vegetable vendor arrives with organic veggies and fresh, hot tamales.  There is the “Modelorama” beer store across the street from us. Who needs more?

Cardon Cactus    Oil

The streets roll up here about 9 or 10:00.  They call it Baja Midnight. But sometimes there is stuff to do in the evenings. There is live music once in a while, and open mike night at the Roadrunner Cafe, movie night at the poolside in the RV park.  We spent last evening at the local sports bar watching the Ducks lose their game by a hair.  Sitting on one side of us was a couple from White Salmon.  On the other side, a guy from Underwood.  We are finding that this is a seasonal home to many Gorge wind surfers.  Everyone is surprised when they find out we are from the Gorge but don't surf or kite... We tell them that we were living in the Gorge BEFORE there WAS  any windsurfing.  We understand why this is such a popular surf destination, as the wind blows fairly constantly here.  It blows for 3-5 days (enough for white caps and to lay the palm fronds over) and then it slows down for a day or two before blowing back up again.  This is fun for the wind guys but a little hard on us beach bums and painters. When the wind doesn't blow, the fishing is good and is supposed to be world class. Tom just got his tackle together and will be trying his luck soon.

"Site #39" Our spot at East Cape RV   Oil

We are getting ready for the "Lord of the Wind International Windsurfing and Kiteboard Competition" scheduled to begin tomorrow.  Supposed to be some big name surfers competing and it seems to be a big deal, (yet to be seen). They have lots of tents set up on the beach and markers set out in the ocean and will be having several events over a 5 day period.  I'll write it up on the blog if it seems to be worth telling about afterward.

I’ve been going out plein air painting with my friend Linda Hunter once a week around the area.  The rest of the time I’m finding shelter from the wind (sometimes in the doorway of Tortuga) to paint on my own.  I’m learning to paint with oil this winter, but also intend to keep up with watercolor, as I think it is a skill that needs practice or you lose it.  I’ve included some of the paintings that I’ve finished so far.  It’s been a lot of fun
 and nice to have the time to focus on painting. Till next time, Hasta luego amigos!

Hotel Los Cerritos on the Pacific:  from my sketchbook

Wave and Pelican study  Oil

San Bartolo Aroyo, Palo Blanca Tree   Oil