Ninots (small Fallas sculptures) 2017

March 2017

This slide show is from photos I took at the Science Museum exhibit in Valencia.  There are thousands of these small sculptures (usually about a meter in height but sometimes higher).  There are two that skewer Trump.  Next year I expect many more, as most of these were begun well before the election.  These amazing sculptures employ hundreds and hundreds of artists here.  The large sculptures range up to 25 meters/80′ in height.  They all display great imagination and ability! Enjoy!

Fallas Valencia 2017, Mascletà Vertical

Here are two videos of the amazing opening act of Fallas 2017.  Fallas is Valencia’s annual festival, an Unesco heritage event.  There are hundreds of sculptures 25 meters in height and thousands of smaller ones.  There is a mascleta – fireworks without much light-  every day at 2pm, and fireworks at night that are not just literally over the top.  This one featured a first-  50 meter/ 165′ vertical firework trees.  Amazing!  The first of those below is mine and is just two minutes, the second is professionally done and is about 10 minutes.

Enjoy!

 

 

Video: Paintings and Drawings Done at Palau de la Musica

Singer Sax Drummer detail 2

The paintings and drawings in this video slide show were done at Palau de la Musica, Valencia.  They explore the state of mind we experience as music transports us to a semi dream-like state.  The paintings and drawings in this video slide show were done at Palau de la Musica, Valencia.  They explore the state of mind we experience as music transports us to a semi dream-like state.  The music is Arco de Noe by Oscar Navarro, a Valencian composer.  He was in the audience the day we heard this piece.

Palau de la Musica Small Stage

Another in the series of paintings based on drawings done at the Palau de la Musica in Valencia, Spain.  The audience waits expectantly as the musicians arrive.  Valencia has a long and powerful tradition of symphonic bands and offer many free concerts each year.  This is a smaller hall and here you can listen to more traditional music.

 

 

Palau de la Musica Small Stage 18 x 24
Palau de la Musica Small Stage 21″ x 26″, 52 cm x 66cm

Palau de la Musica Small Stage, detail

 

Palau de la Musica Small Stage, from a drawing made at the Palau in Valencia, Spain
Palau de la Musica Small Stage, detail

Palau de la Musica Small Stage detail
Palau de la Musica Small Stage, detail

Two Brown Bass Fiddles at the Palau

Two Brown Fiddles

Two Brown Bass Fiddles at the Palau

This started life as a drawing at Palau de la Musica.  I enlarged the original, a tiny 2 x 4″ and put it on the canvas board, then painted in with acrylics.  See also Two Fiddles at the Palau, a version of this based on the very same drawing.

 

Two Brown Fiddles
Two Brown Fiddles at the Palau, acrylics on canvas board, 40 x 50 cm, 16 x 20″

 

Contrabass at Palau de la Musica
Contrabass at Palau de la Musica, the pen and ink done on site

 

 

Singer, Drummer, Sax, Clarinets, Singers

Singer, Drummer, Sax, Clarinets Singers

From my music series, Singer Sax Drummer is based on a drawing done at  the Palau de la Musica in Valencia.   I have included the drawing below.  It is done in acrylics.  There are two distinct planes.  You see two instrument playing muses, one kicking her leg up.   This painting is a fusion of automatic drawing and an abstract background with bright and strong colors.

 

Singer, Drummer, Sax, Clarinets Singers
Singer, Drummer, Sax, Clarinets Singers 54 x 72cm x 18 cm, 21 x 26.5 x.75″ acrylics on canvas SOLD

 

 

Singer Sax Drummer detail 1
Singer Sax Drummer detail 1

 

Singer Sax Drummer detail 2
Singer Sax Drummer detail 2

Singer Sax Drummer detail 3
Singer Sax Drummer detail 3

Fantasy Trio

Fantasy Quartet

This is based on an automatic drawing and given an expressionist treatment in acrylics.  Automatic drawing was popularized by the surrealists in the 1920ś.  The audience is bathed in a comforting blue haze.  The original drawing is posted below.  

Trio at the Palau, acrylics on canvas, 21 x 18 cm," 55 x 45 cm
Trio at the Palau, acrylics on canvas, 21″ x 18″,” 55 x 45 cm, SOLD

Quartet drawing
Quartet drawing pen and ink

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