Peru Travel Journal

Click here to view this photo book larger

I have finished this digital copy of my Peru sketchbook.  You can

flip through the pages here, and check it out.  I will be placing an

order for them...you can let me know by July 15th if you would

like one.  They are $75.00 a copy plus shipping ($8.00).  Thanks!

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Flower Market Woman

One of the last days we were in Cuzco, we went to

the market in downtown.  People were selling food,

flowers, coffee, chocolate, clothing, and craft items.

I am trying to go through my photos, and decide

which ones to paint.  I started on this watercolor

tonight of this flower woman.  I love her hat, and

the wild arrangement of the flowers on the ground.

I started with the first washes, and some bright

colors on the flowers.  I'll let this dry, and then build

up some more layers of color tomorrow.

I heard from my customers in California that I did

the two Costa Rica paintings for.  They loved them,

and they are more than pleased, they said.  Hooray!

I like happy customers!

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Doll Lady



While the wash was still wet...



Final painting

I finished this watercolor up tonight.
It brings some good memories to mind.
I have a couple of shows to enter, and
this one may turn into an entry. 
We'll see!

sheltongail@hotmail.com
"Doll Lady"  Cuzco, Peru
Watercolor 22 x 30  $500

Adding the Details



The watercolor painting with some of the details added

a part of the painting with masking fluid added

close-up of the painting with masking fluid applied

Masking fluid

I continued to work on this painting tonight, and
added many of the details needed to give it
some depth, design and dimension.  Then I added
the masking fluid over most of the outline of
the figure.  This fluid creates a waterproof seal
over the painted portions, so I can freely
wet the background area.  I will do some
really wet and loose, wet into wet paint in
the background that will be in contrast to the
tightly painted figure.  This is the stage in the
painting that can make it or break it, depending on
how well I can control the wet paint.  I'll keep
my fingers crossed and my brush moving!

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Woman in Watercolor



Beginning stages of watercolor painting...a light sketch of the outline

Initial washes of color...very light

Adding some shadows and building up the washes as I go

Finally got to start working on some of the Peru art tonight.  I
had some visitors in the gallery today, and I was telling them there
would be a Peruvian art show at Christmas, so I thought
I should at least start on something!  This photo of this woman
in Cuzco was one of my favorites.  I like the light and
shadows, and the colored pattern on the clothing, etc. 
This woman was selling little Peruvian dolls, and she was in
front of our hotel every morning as we boarded the bus.
One day the police came and ran her off; they are not
supposed to be selling items to the tourists outside of the
marketplace.  But she was back the next day...hopeful for
some customers!
I will continue to work on this painting and will post as I
go.

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Lima Lights

The first night we were in Peru, our guide

took the group to a park where these dancing

fountains were.  I did not go (stayed at the

hotel, sketching!)  Anyway, these are some of

my daughter's photos.  It is hard to get good

shots in the dark of moving targets!, and I think

she did pretty well. 

I am still working on the paintings of Costa Rica

for a customer, and I have several other commissions

waiting in the wings.

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Happy Mother's Day to Me!



Here I am at Macchu Pichu early in the
morning..I am thrilled to be there!



Me and the llama having a moment



On top of MP in the fog



Me, painting at Pisac Market, and
giving out food to a sweet woman



In Cusco

People ask me all the time, "Where are the
pictures of you?"  Well, here are a few.  I had
the pleasure of having my daughter along on the
trip, and she shot a few pics of me.  I got to see
her this weekend, and she shared these with me.
I especially love the one with the old woman.
I was painting, there at the market, and she
came and sat down beside me.  She started
begging, and I had a bag of chips I gave to her.
She grinned at me, and shoved them in her
pocket. I did not know that my daughter
captured the memory...cool.