Fallas 2016!- first photos

These are the first photos from Fallas 2016.  Fallas is the annual carnival in Valencia, Spain.  It is truly one of the wonders of the world.  They erect hundreds of sculptures made of foam and wood (these days), some of which are 25 meters (75′) in height.  There are daily booming fireworks more for feel than light, daily at 2 pm.  At night there are more traditional fireworks in the parks.  Valencia doubles in population for the event, which starts March 1 and ends March 19 every year.

In Rusafa, a section of Valencia, there are not only fallas’ (the statues) but also sound and light shows.  Here they are installing the lighting.

 

Much more to come!

 

IMG_0674 IMG_0677 IMG_0678

For background information see https://garyjkirkpatrick.com/the-fallas/

 

Pareja Enamorada/Couple in Love — Women Embrace 1 and II

Women Embrace 1 and II

This part of the “Pareja Enamorado con Amor/Couple in Love with Love” series explores the world of same sex love.

 

Women Embrace II, acrylics on paper, A3, 16.5 x 11.7"
Women Embrace II, acrylics on paper, A3, 29.7 X 42CM/16.5 x 11.7″ 

 

 

Women Embrace 1

Women Embrace I, acrylics on paper, A3, 16.5 x 11.7"
Women Embrace I, acrylics on paper, A3, 29.7 X 42CM/16.5 x 11.7″

 

Love takes many forms.  We should not oppress it but encourage its flowering and deepen the bonds that hold us together.

Waiting for the Concert

Waiting for the Concert at the Small Hall in the Palau de la Musica, Valencia.

Continuing with the music and Palau themes, here I use a palette knife to dress the audience awaiting the concert.   The Palau has a small concert hall in the basement.  We listen to some local traditional Valencian music.  Below the painting you will find a link to a video I shot at a local fair with some examples of the squeaky instruments we listened to.  You hear them during the many parades you can see in the city.

Waiting for the Concert at the Small Hall in the Palau; 65 x 54 cm, 25 x 21" acrylic on canvas
Waiting for the Concert at the Small Hall in the Palau; 65 x 54 cm, 25 x 21″ acrylic on canvas

 

 

Waiting For The Concert, room view
Waiting For The Concert, room view

Pareja: Enamorado con Amor (Couple: In Love With Love) III

The third and probably the final of this couple embracing, this one more shimmery than the others.

 

Pareja: Enamorado con Amor (Couple: In Love With Love) III 35 cm x 29.7, 13" x 11.7
Pareja: Enamorado con Amor (Couple: In Love With Love) III 35 cm x 29.7, 13″ x 11.7

Love takes many forms and we can always use more and can never have too much.  We should not oppress it but encourage its flowering and deepen the bonds that hold us together.