art by "nena"

Art & Philanthropy

2011-09-21T08:51:00.000-07:00

Enhance your home...and make a difference in your world!

Imagine...owning a beautiful piece of art, and knowing that your contribution is going to support a charitable cause.

You are invited to take part in

"The Art of Giving"

Through Art & Philanthropy I will fully donate my original artwork to raise funds for various charities. Some of these charities represent what is important to me:

* Children’s Aid

* Disaster Relief

* Affordable Housing

* Animals and Wildlife
* The Environment

I invite the public to join me in this philanthropic work. My website displays my fully donated art portfolio. Patrons browse the site, choose their favorite piece of art and one of the selected charities; they tender their contribution, which I will donated it "in their honour" to their selected charity. The patron will receive the art piece, the charity will benefit the contribution and I, the artist, will get the pleasure of creating art.

To take part in this charitable quest please visit:

www.artandphilanthropy.ca

At the CANADIAN TULIP FESTIVAL May 6 – 23, 2011

2011-05-04T08:25:00.000-07:00

The weather will be warm, and the sun will shine, so come and visit the Canadian Tulip Festival, where you can enjoy the more than 300,000 tulips flowering around the city parks.

The Tulip Art Gallery at Major’s Hill Park will be filled with bright and colourful art-works presented by the official Festival Artists along the theme of “Spring and Tulips”. These two paintings will be on display at the gallery, where you can see them and even have the chance to take them home to brighten your days all-year around.

The artists will be present through out the festival, while painting outdoors among the tulip beds.

I would love to chat with you and show you my newest work. I will be there on Friday, May 13 from 10 – 2 pm at Major’s Hill Park and on Wednesday, May 18 from 10 – 2 pm at Commissioners Park. See you there!

For more information visit www.tulipfestival.ca

Inspiration & Donations

2011-03-29T12:40:00.000-07:00

"Juicy"

Donated to the Main St. Community Service in Stittsville ON

I enjoy painting but it is the creative process, which I enjoy the most. When a painting is done, it is time to do a new one; my ideas and inspiration never stop. One of the most rewarding things for me is to be able to donate my work. I support various charities, and especially the ones involved with children.

It is a pleasure for me to donate “Juicy” to the upcoming “Nothing But A Child” Gala Evening organized by the Main Street Community Services in Stittsville. This event is in support of the programs and services provided for children and youth with special needs. This entertaining evening consisting of dinner, dance and auctions and it takes place at one of Ottawa’s newest dining establishments on:

Saturday, April 9, 2011

Sixty-Four Hundred Celebration Centre

6400 Hazeldean Rd. corner with West Ridge Dr. in Stittsville

http://www.mainstreetcommunityservices.com/

Compositions Gallery

2011-01-28T12:24:00.000-08:00

I am please to inform that I have joined the brand new Compositions Gallery in Smith Falls!

This is a dream come true to the young owners of the gallery,
an artist and her manager. They love Smith Falls and their enthusiasm is contagious.

I invite you to visit the gallery during its Opening Venissage on February 6 at 7 pm at 47 Main St. or at any other time suitable to you. Smith Falls offers the flavour and quaintness of a historical Ontario town and it is only one hour from Ottawa!

Grove I & Grove II

2011-01-28T12:11:00.000-08:00

Grove I Grove II - SOLD

These paintings are the latest in a series of forest images. I love the Canadian forests, and I basically paint because I love colour. These series have given me the opportunity of combining my two loves. Admirers say that: “they are the Mexican colours in a Canadian forest”.

These two paintings are the same size and were framed in the same type of wooden frame. They compliment eachother because the colours and forests are very similar. I am very pleased to know that they were purchased as a pair and now they are sharing a wall in their new home!

Photography in my Art World!

2010-10-27T10:25:00.000-07:00

Photography has been an important element for me since I began my studies of art and design.

I photograph landscapes and people, but specially I love to photograph buildings. Architecture is the soul of a city. The buildings are not only where people live and work, they also represent the history and culture of a city.

For the first time I am incorporating photography as part of my art. I just came back from a trip through Europe and brought with me some lovely photographs from Poland, Budapest and Paris.

These photographs and others will be on exhibition at my home studio during the Stittsville Artists Studio Tour. To get a map or more information of this free tour, please visit: http://www.stittsvillestudiotour.com/

2010-10-23T11:57:00.000-07:00

Home Studio open to the public!

Stittsville Artists Studio Tour

Once a year I open my Home Studio to the public. As for the last 7 years, I will be taking part in this annual event. I would love to invite you to visit me, and to see my work in my own environment. For the first time I will be exhibiting photographs as part of my art.

Nine artists will be taking part in this year's tour, so come and view our work done in various mediums from watercolours, oils or mixed media to our new art expression... photography! You will find exciting works of contemporary, traditional and abstract art.

Bellow you find a sample of our work and a map. To get more detailed information about me and the other artists, or to get a bigger map, please visit:
http://www.stittsvillestudiotour.com/

I will be happy to see you on November 6 or 7 from 10 - 5 pm.

2010-10-23T11:00:00.000-07:00

UPCOMING EVENTS! Donations.

The next few weeks are going to be very busy for me. I will be engaged in various events and I would like to invite you to see what I will be doing.

Fundraising Events for charities are part of my philosophy. It is a pleasure for me to see that my work can not only be enjoyed but it can also provide some comfort. This year my work has been donated to:

The Big Brothers Big Sisters Ottawa “Online Auction” October 29 to November 30.
To place your bid visit: http://www.bbbso.ca/

Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of Canada
“Martini Madness”
Art Exhibit, Silent Auction & Martini Sampling
November 3 from 7 – 10 pm
LAGO Bar & Grill, Down Lake Pavilion, Ottawa.
For tickets visit: http://www.martinimadness.ca/

RECOGNITIONS & AWARDS - 2010

2010-06-24T11:24:00.001-07:00

I like to take part in juried shows because, when a professional juror sees the art piece, he/she sees it with different ‘eyes’ than the usual viewer. Usually there are three independent jurors, who take into consideration various elements in the art piece. These elements have to complement each other to make the piece unique and appealing to the eye. Some of these elements are: subject, composition, colour, contrast, depth, execution of the medium, etc.

"Yearning II" - 'Juror's Award of Excellence' - 2006

KANATA ART CLUB
Juried Exhibition & Sale

This is a yearly-juried show in which I have taken part since 2006 and my work has always been accepted to be part of the show. In two occasions the jurors have recognized my work. The first time was in 2006 when “Yearning II” won the ‘Juror’s Award of Excellence’ at the Kanata Civic Art Gallery. The second time was this year at the Britannia Gallery with “Magnificent” winning the ‘Best in Show’ award competing with more then 60 paintings!

"Magnificent" - 'Best in Show' - 2010

"NEPEAN FINE ARTS LEAGUE"
Juried Member’s Exhibition

This yearly-juried show exhibits at the Atrium and Centrepointe Theatre Gallery. I entered this year with a triptych watercolour with orchids called “Triple Splendour” receiving the ‘First Award of Excellence in Watercolour’.

It is satisfying and inspirational to receive these recognitions; they encourage me to continue discovering the fabulous world of art!

OTTAWA ORCHID SOCIETY ART SHOW

2010-04-26T09:05:00.000-07:00

The 29th Annual Ottawa Orchid Society Show and Sale, held on April 24 – 25, was an incredible success for my two new entries in this art juried show!

This year the Orchid Society had a challenge/contest on one specific type of wild orchid, the Showy Lady’s Slipper, which grows in the Lanark, ON area. I enter this challenge with “Slippers in the Woods” a multimedia piece of three pink/white orchids surrounded by flowing ferns. To my delight it won the second prize in the contest!

I also enter the show in the fine art’s category with another multimedia piece called “Ladies”, representing three yellow/red Lady’s Slippers growing amides cascading ivy and flowing ferns. These two pieces are a new direction in my ever-growing life as an artist. To my surprise “Ladies” won not only the first prize in multimedia but also the Best in Class of all fine arts presented in this show!

Second Prize Winner - "Slippers in the Woods"

Best Class Winner - "Ladies"
First Prize Winner in Multimedia - SOLD

VALLEY BEAUTIES

2010-04-26T08:50:00.000-07:00

Often I drive south towards the St. Laurence River, and on my way, I see the ever-changing landscape. Through out the year I discover the beauty of the Canadian seasons, especially during spring and summer, when the fields are covered with wild flowers. On one occasion they might be white or yellow, and on another one, I discover they have changed to fuchsia or purple.

I wanted to capture this changes so I decided to put them all together in one painting but with a little twist…and voila the miniature was born!

The whole painting is only 12” X 12” and each little field is 4.5”X 4.5”. I love to see them all together and I enjoy how my eye wanders from one to another.

$ 250

On The Canyon

2009-12-26T12:10:00.001-08:00

SOLD
Guanajuato is one of my favorite Mexican cities. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, not only because it dates back to the 1500s, but because of its location and evolution. This mining city, where the houses are all tucked into the canyon, has had its ups and downs during various centuries. Some of its famous silver mines are still found around the city. In the old times, these mines produced 30% of all the silver in the world, enriching the Spanish Crown and enabling it to build its powerful Spanish Armada.
The Guanajuato River used to pass at the bottom of the canyon causing great floods and massive destruction. To avoid this, tunnels were built allowing the city to grow above them.
Later on, the river was diverted to build a dam living the tunnels empty. In the 1950 city planers decided to use these tunnels as one of the main routes to direct the growing car traffic. The six existing tunnels are part of an efficient traffic system, which not only protects the city but allows it to keep its charming and historical down town.

Mountains with panoramic views of the colourful houses and historical buildings surround the city. Its many plazas and narrow streets, some of which can only be reached by foot, give this city a quaint and pleasant atmosphere. It is the home of many artists, some of them very famous like Diego Rivera.
Since 1972 Guanajuato host every year the famous “Festival Internacional Cervantino”, named after Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra, considered the Shakespeare of the Spanish language, and who is the writer of “Don Quijote”. The international festival presents dance, theatre, poetry, music and fine arts. One of the most uplifting happenings are the “estudiantinas” (group of young students) dressed in middle-age velvet costumes; singing old traditional songs; gathering in all corners and plazas; competing for the best “estudiantina” in the Spanish world.
This painting represents and contains some of the features I think are part of this unique city. The mountains with their rugged and stony surface, the colorful houses in all angles just holding on to the canyon, the colonial architecture of its many churches and convents, the resilient cactus trees found in its landscape and the clear blue sky of the Mexican highlands.

SEASONS

2009-12-21T16:23:00.000-08:00

SEASONS

I grew up in Mexico basically with two seasons: rainy and dry season. When I moved to Europe I experience the changing of the seasons but I find that in Canada they are really dramatic. I love the changing of the seasons! I love colour so naturally I love fall the most because of the range of colours but each of the other three seasons offer very special moments.

Spring is short but powerful, flowers are in full bloom in just two days! Tulips are especially beautiful and that is why I chose them to represent spring.
$250

Summer is warm and intense in colour. Fuchsia, also called Mexican pink, is one of my favorite colours. I couldn’t decide which flower could represent summer so I chose a generic flower with five petals.
$250

Fall, the east-Canadian fall shows the warm reds, bright yellows and rusty browns. Nothing else can represent fall as a Maple leave. Not only is found everywhere but it is the symbol of Canada.
$250

Winter, the long and cold winter with its cool whites, deep blues and purples are reflected in a fresh blanket of snow. We can imagine, and at times even see, the geometric perfection of beautiful snowflake!
$250

Set of four framed watercolours $850

ISSAC'S ART SHOW

2009-11-25T12:46:00.000-08:00

Painting by: Gerald S. Smith

A first class setting and gourmet food are the best combination to highlight vibrant and colourful art!

For the second year Issac's in Stittsville, a first class restaurant & conference centre, has invited over 20 local artists to display their art. The spacious conference rooms are filled with natural light allowing the art to be viewed in all its detail. As an artist I appreciate the possibility to exhibit in such a nice place.

I am looking forward to see you there!

Stittsville Artists Studio Tour 2009

2009-11-05T12:30:00.000-08:00

Once again I am taking part in this artists tour. I cordially invite you to visit the Stittsville Artists Studio Tour 2009. This year we are 12 artist, all residing a few blocks from each other, in our quaint town of Stittsville. Each artist offers something different from traditional landscapes and watercolours to mixed media and abstract or one of a kind soap stone pieces. This is a self guided tour and you can get maps by visiting our website:

http://www.stittsvillestudiotour.com/ where you can also find more information about the artists and their work. This year we having a draw! You have a chance to win an art voucher valued at $120 towards the purchase of a piece of art of your choice. Visit the 12 artists, fill-out your ballot and good luck!

Hope to see you on Saturday or Sunday!

Fund Raising Events

2009-10-31T15:11:00.000-07:00

"Pink Ladies" donated to the
Canadian Tulip Festival.

I feel very privileged when I am asked to donate my artwork for a good cause. In previous years, I have donated my work for various causes including the First Presbyterian Church in Brockville, 2006; Habitat for Humanity Stittsville, 2007; The Boys & Girls Club of Ottawa, 2007 and the David Smith Youth Treatment Centre Ottawa, 2008.

This year I was part of two fabulous events.

On October 2, the Big Brothers Big Sisters Ottawa organized the “Big Art in the City” fund raising event at the Crown Plaza Hotel Penthouse, where we had a cocktail reception inspired by New York but surrounded by the nightlights of Ottawa. To feel like in NYC we had the hot dogs, the pizza and the pretzels with mustard; people mingled with musicians, buskers and featured artists, while the silent and live auctions presented art from well know Ottawa artists and upcoming ones like me.

The second fund raising event was on October 7, organized by the Canadian Tulip Festival, at the Cartier Square Drill Hall in Ottawa. This event was a “Culinary Celebration and Vintage Wine Auction” where we were presented with succulent food, provided by various Ottawa restaurants, and delicious Canadian wines and cheeses from the Prince Edward County region. There were many unique wine lots for the silent and live auctions. About ten fine artists took part in this event and we all were happy to see that our works of art were part of such first class event.

Autumn Glow

2009-10-28T09:01:00.000-07:00

"Autumn Glow" was featured in the InsideOut section of the Ottawa Citizen on September 12, 2009, as part of an article titled “8 RULES for artist studio tours” written by Peter Simpson.

Leaves are one of my favorite subjects, especially in the fall. I love the fall, with all its vibrant colours and wonderful light! The maple leaves are very inviting to paint because of their colour range. I enjoyed very much paintings these three leaves. Their translucency of the warm sun challenged me to paint the reflecting details of the fall changes.
Custom Framed $ 700

In the Beginning

2009-10-27T12:58:00.000-07:00

One of my granddaughters wants to be an actor for television and movies. She has always had the flair for acting and dressing up.

When she was about two years old, I captured her in a photograph; standing in front of the mirror, trying out my colourful berets and scarves.

This year she moved to Toronto to study acting, and I thought, what a better idea then to give her this painting called “In the Beginning” for her to remember that special moment when she already new what she wanted to do.

Not for Sale

The Talk

2009-10-27T12:32:00.001-07:00

Honorable Mention in Acrylics - SOLD

I belong to various art groups/clubs and one of them is the NFAL - Nepean Fine Arts League. This group of artists organizes every year a "Member’s Night" celebrating our artwork with a juried show, which is exhibited at the Centrepointe Gallery and Theatre in Nepean.

Each participating artist brings one painting to be selected by the jury, who gives prizes in the various categories. This year I entered a painting of my daughter and granddaughter having a “talk”.

It is an acrylic painting called “The Talk” representing a time in Mexico when we all went on holidays. The art show runs for a few weeks, and on one evening, all artist get together to commemorate the year and to celebrate the prize winners. I was very proud to have received an Honorable Mention for this painting!

Triple Splendor

2009-10-27T12:25:00.000-07:00

Second Prize Winner in Watercolours

I love orchids, and every year, I paint some of my favorites to be exhibited at the Ottawa Orchid Society show. This annual show exhibits live plants, flower arrangements, paintings, photographs and sculptures of all types of orchids. These magnificent flowers inspire artists to reproduce them in various mediums. I love to use watercolours because this medium gives me the opportunity to demonstrate in detail the beauty of these exotic flowers. This year I entered the show with “Triple Splendor” a one-piece painting of three different orchids, framed in a shadow box, giving an effect of being hidden behind the glass. To my surprise, it was selected as the Second Price Winner in the watercolour category!
$ 500

Mexican Art at CASA LUNA

2009-06-15T09:48:00.000-07:00

Mexican Art in Ottawa!

In the Latin American setting of

CASA LUNA

Amid exotic furniture you'll find original art pieces of Mexican settings, its people and landscapes depicted in warm and vibrant colours to complete your Latin America decor.

"Nena" invites you to visit CASA LUNA and view her new collection of Mexican Art, among hand picked items, personnaly imported by Diane Dumas and Alex Grooscors from all over Mexico and South America.

Visit http://www.casaluna.ca/ or call 613-834-8774 for direction to 4240 Innes Rd. Suite J3 Orleans ON

"Josefa" a large watercolour was featured in the Entertainment section of the Ottawa Citizen on July 11, 2009 as part of this on-going exhibition.

"Josefa" $795

"La Terraza" $795

"Guana I-II-III" $850

Faithful

2009-01-15T13:41:00.000-08:00

Hydrangeas have a long life; some can be admired by various generations. They flower profusely, with large round clusters of little flowers, that can be as big as a dinner plate. Their splendorous colours range from pure white to various shade of pink, move, blue and rich purple. I called this painting “Faithful” because these plants bloom year after year, but also because it was done for my daughter’s best friend, who I have known since they were little girls. All through the years, they have kept this incredible friendship helping each other during the ups and downs of life…yes, they are “faithful” friends!

Golden Sun God

2008-08-19T13:28:00.000-07:00

Gold is highly valued all over the world. I come from Mexico, a country where this shiny metal has had a big influence in its history and development. Long before the Spanish Conquest, gold was venerated, worn and traded by the different groups of Mexican Indians. Horrible crimes were committed just to enrich powerful people and its governments. The Spaniards arrived in Mexico in the mid 1500s and discovered its vast deposits. They used this valuable metal not only to make beautiful works of art for their kings and churches but its value help them developed their powerful “armada”.

In this painting, I wanted to represent four important facets in the production of gold. Starting with the left square, it depicts how gold is found deep in the earth, where miners have to go down in the dark to bring it up. The top square is filled with melting bubbles of this precious metal. The right square shows a cascade of gold, which can be cast in a wide array of shapes. The bottom square is filled with the warm image of the Mexican Sun God, who not only gives us warmth but it represents life for all earth creatures. Without the sun nothing can live on earth!

This three-dimensional 16” X 16” painting is done in acrylic-mixed media.

$ 250

Woodland I - Woodland II - Woodland III

2008-08-06T13:32:00.000-07:00

In Eastern Canada, the Birch tree is abundant, and the forests around my home are filled with these beautiful white trees. It is one of my favorite trees. Also my favorite season is the fall; it is when the forest dresses itself in vibrant colours!

So, I decided to combine these two favorites by painting the background with what some people call “Mexican colours” and by lifting some of them, I discovered a forest of Birch trees! BUT why only white trees? They can be all colours!

So my “whimsical forests” where born!

These paintings are very popular and I have painted a few of them, which are now hanging in various homes. Although all are similar, each one is very different then the other. Those three are my latest series and with a size of 7” X 11”are like small windows of my imagination, these paintings are not planned, they just happen!

Woodland I - Woodland II and Woodland III SOLD

Sumac

2008-08-06T13:27:00.000-07:00

The Sumac bush is one of the most abundant plants in Eastern Canada. It is a diverse bush; always offering something to look at.

In the spring, it dresses itself in vibrant light green long leaves, softly swaying in the wind. The white, or red, fuzzy, tiny flowers grow in cone-shaped clusters, which turn deep red once they have flowered.

These cones, called Sumac Bobs, remain on the plant all trough the summer, making a great contrast to the deep green leaves.

In the splendorous fall, the best time for this bush, the Bobs turn red-brown competing with the fabulous array of yellow-red-green-brown leaves! All through the winter, the Bobs remain on top of the bare branches like sentinels on top of the snow-covered bushes.

I love this bush! It gives me something to look at all through the year. This watercolour is painted on paper, but mounted on a 18” X 24” canvas, and covered with three layers of vanish to protect it from dust and humidity. This new technique allows me to present my watercolours unframed and without a glass cover, looking more contemporary and making it easier to transport.

$ 250

Equilibrium - Companionship - Harmony

2008-08-04T14:55:00.000-07:00

I love stones! I have a collection of big ones in my garden and the small ones decorate my fireplace. When my grandchildren come to visit, they play with stones building for me towers which we call “Inuksuks” like the ones built in the north by the Inuits. One day, they built a few ones and I got the idea of painting them.

I love to paint textures and stones are perfect examples with all their colours, shapes and crevices. These paintings are not very big, they are only 10” X 12”.

Equilibrium has seven stones representing various things like the balance we need in life, the seven Hindu chakras or energy centres and the lucky seven.

SOLD

Companionship is a group of three “people”, each composed by three stones, representing a family or a group of friends having a chat.

SOLD

Harmony has five stones, each one very different then other, not only in colour but also in shape and size. It represents the understanding and communication of people of different races and backgrounds.

$ 120

Once a Yellow House

2008-08-04T14:43:00.000-07:00

San Miguel de Allende is a small town in the highlands of Mexico; about three hours drive from Mexico City. It is an old mining town, which was almost in ruin a few years ago. During three centuries, it was part of Mexico’s silver mines corridor which enriched Spain and France helping them to develop their powerful armies. A group of American veterans discover San Miguel de Allende in the 1940s and decided to relocate to enjoy the clear blue sky and the almost spring-like-weather all year round!

People interested in the culture, history and art of Mexico have renovated many of the old colonial houses. Some have exchange hands a few times, while others show neglect.
This "yellow house" is one of them but …ah it is so interesting to paint! Watercolour allows me to show the texture of falling stucco reveling the building stones and the old colours still show their vibrancy. Old doors and windows show their age is this 16” X 20” painting.
SOLD

Energy, Bernal Mexico

2008-08-04T09:57:00.000-07:00

The highlands of Mexico are filled with breathtaking landscapes! I miss the mountains! They elevate you to think that you can do anything, reviving your spirit and giving you strength to cope with life.

"Peña de Bernal" (Bernal Peak), is one of the tallest monoliths in the world, it rises straight out of the sierra to about 1150 feet. It's an awe inspiring volcanic rock, only second to Ayer's rock in Australia, and third behind the Rock of Gibraltar and Rio de Janeiro's Sugar Loaf.

It is located in San Sebastian Bernal, a small town in the Mexican state of Queretaro. The monolith was formed some 100 million years ago during the Jurassic period, when it must have been at least three times higher than today. It is a very special place and many people make a pilgrimage in to the highest point hikeable, visiting a little chapel about halfway up. On March 21, the Spring Equinox, people gather all dressed in white to form a human belt around the monolith receiving the energy of mountains and the sun.

In my watercolour painting, I wanted to convey this energy and height. The fresh light green depicts spring, and the San Sebastian church stands guard to this magnificent peak.

$ 220

PinkTrumpet Flower

2008-08-04T09:17:00.000-07:00

The first time a saw these flowers is when I was in Mexico City visiting a friend who had a bush in his garden covered with about 150 of these beautiful flowers!

Their name is Burgamisia Aurea but they are also called Angel's Trumpet Flower and in Spanish people called them Floripondios. They come in various colours like white, pink and yellow. They fall down from the branches like upside down trumpets with gracious folds and pointy endings. They can grow about 10" in length looking like dancing girls with long skirts.

As soon as I saw them, I wanted to paint them! I have done two paintings of these flowers and probably will do more. This painting is 16" X 20" and the flower itself is about 12" long. I did it in watercolour because this medium allows me to show the fragility and beauty of this exotic flower!

$ 250

Highlands

2008-07-23T08:40:00.000-07:00

A while ago, I was flying back from Mexico and while looking out my window, I saw the beautiful Mexican mountains, all dried out and rusty during the winter months.

The morning light was shining and bringing out all these beautiful colours! I got very excited and decided to do a painting to replicate this beautiful site!

This multi-media acrylic painting is 16" x 20". To show the mountains rising above the surface, I decided to do it three dimensionally, using the paper-mache technique I raised the mountains and to show the fields I used are various types of coloured paper with natural fibres.

$ 350