Plein Air Painting

Happy New Year!

2011-12-31T19:17:00.007-02:00

Last 2011 brushstrokes!
A good pick of sites for plein air painting these wet summer days are the city´s viaducts that become a great shelter from the rain that insists on flooding the streets every other day.
It was under one of these overpasses that I made my 2011 last plein air brushstrokes.

The scattered showers intensified the rythm of the passengers that the Ferry Boat brought at every 20 minutes... Ferry Boat Station -Sandra Nunes- oil on linen 46x54 cmPhotos by Meahne Albuquerque, the nice photographer/ journalist who I was very pleased to meet that day.

To all of my visitors I wish an Artful and inspired New Year!
See you in 2012!

Artclub Magazine -Worldwide Paintout

2011-12-28T21:16:00.007-02:00

The Worldwide Paintout- Rio de Janeiro is featured in Artclub Magazine!

Quebra- Mar

2011-11-22T07:51:00.007-02:00

On a gray day the color of this water is stunning!

Quebra-Mar -Sandra Nunes -oil on panel 16x22cm

Monte Alegre Street

2011-11-22T07:10:00.006-02:00

Before the tram stopped...

Monte Alegre Street - Sandra Nunes oil on canvas 54x65 cm

Sunflowers and Hydrangeas

2011-11-15T14:55:00.006-02:00

Still rainy and bad weather conditions for plein air painting, so I´ve decided to play with my pastels and bring a bit of color to this unusual Springtime!

Sunflowers and Hydrangeas -Sandra Nunes Soft Pastel on wallis - 55x38 cm

Rainy Spring

2011-11-01T18:05:00.005-02:00

We are experiencing a quite unusual Spring this year. I´ve tried to capture the exquisite atmosphere of a rainy day in Urca beach.

Rainy Spring -Urca -Sandra Nunes oil on canvas 55 x 33cm

Aura´s House

2011-10-02T20:21:00.005-03:00

Comission delivered to a happy collector!

Aura´s House -Sandra Nunes - oil on linen 33x41cm

No tram today...

2011-09-29T18:59:00.005-03:00

Santa Teresa without tram

No tram today -Sandra Nunes o/c 22x27cm

Worldwide Paintout -Rio 2011

2011-09-12T13:35:00.021-03:00

It was a cloudy(almost rainy) Sunday morning but it didn´t prevent us from having a great time painting together.
Flamengo Park was the perfect backdrop for the creativity of artists who attended the event and were treated to a pleasant temperature and a warm reception in Estácio de Sá Cultural Center.

The first artists to come were uncertain about the imminent rain...

Little by little artists arrived and started to open their easels
In no time, passersby could watch oil painters, watercolorists, acrylic painters all in action

Mr José Carlos , editor of Art Club Magazine paid us a visit, we are going to be featured in the nest issue!

Mr Elias Abreu, curator of the Cultural Center was a wonderful host, we were offered a show featuring the works we did that day. How cool is that?

The peaceful atmosphere could be felt and the energy we shared was reflected on each artist´s face

As usual I had a hard time trying to gather artists so that we could have just one photo with everybody... we always miss somebody...
The group:

Blooming Ipe

2011-08-30T16:16:00.005-03:00

From Dona Marta Belvedere we have an amazing view of the city, but that day the appeal of this blooming Ipe was stronger , its copious flowers formed a perfect frame for Corcovado and Christ the Redeemer. I had to paint it!

Blooming Ipe-Sandra Nunes- o/c 61x46cm

Ilhabela - The workshop experience

2011-08-20T17:06:00.010-03:00

Ilhabela - Alvaro Castagnet Workshop
I love watercolor, it is fascinating dealing with water, I enjoy the possibity of "accidents",trying to take advantage of this seemingly untamed medium and colors melting on paper.
It was a great workshop experience with Alvaro Castagnet in Ilhabela.
This was one of the paintings I did there, the idea was simplify, simplify, simplify...

Ilhabela -Sandra Nunes watercolor on saunders waterford paper-

The workshop was very intense and joined a group of talented painters in a paradisiac island. Besides being a great artist, Alvaro Castagnet is a generous instructor. The coordination by Carmem Abranches and Gonzalo Carcamo was flawless from the reception in the island till the end, when we were treated by a Happy Hour under a full moon light!Also, I made a facebook page where you can read more about my workshop experience.
Check that out here

Studios in Transit - Arte de Portas Abertas 2011

2011-07-20T05:56:00.023-03:00

Well, I´m trying to catch up with the last events, I barely had time to unpack from my trip to Europe before I had to set up for this show . The concept this year was bringing to the Cultural Center a bit of each artist´s studio...

The first day :Plein air demo in the garden...
Arte de Portas Abertas exposes Santa Teresa´s cultural melting pot . I had a blast this year, meeting people of all ages...from different countries.. Speaking three( or four?) languages simultaneously is tiresome, but it was a rewarding experience.

With the studio casual atmosphere guests could be in contact wth some art materials and works in progress...

I had a lot of young guests this year......some really very young...
meeting old friends...
New collectors...

Thanks to all who attended, sent me emails or called me by phone.It was nice to meet you at Centro Cultural Laurinda Santos Lobo!

New Show

2011-07-08T20:28:00.004-03:00

The 21st edition of Arte de Portas Abertas has just started today. This year I´m in a group show "Studios in Transit" where the public will have the opportunity to have a sneak peak of my newest paintings and the creative process as well.
If you are in Rio these days, stop by !
The event takes place July 8,9 and 10th. And the show continues until July 30th.

I´m in Centro Cultural Laurinda Santos Lobo. Monte Alegre Street 306. Santa Teresa

Painting in Monet's Gardens - Giverny

2011-06-30T15:37:00.008-03:00

Time really flies! I have a lot of news since my last update, I intend to devote a post exclusively about this trip when I return to Brazil.
By now I'm just sharing some highlights..
Monet's luxurious gardens offer unlimited possibilities of composition

But that bridge attracts like a magnet

to be continued...

Sunset on Notre Dame de Paris

2011-06-19T20:52:00.009-03:00

Spring in Paris, sunset at 10:00 pm...after all museums are closed, I still have daylight to paint!

Painting in Paris

2011-06-12T03:00:00.005-03:00

Strolling through Paris streets with my Julian thumb box....

Hotel de Ville

La Seine...more to come...

Paris at the time of the Impressionists

2011-06-06T16:21:00.008-03:00

It is very difficult to paint in a city with so much to see. Paris breathes art around every corner this spring.
The exhibition at Hotel de Ville takes us on a trip to the turn of the nineteenth century's brushes by bringing together some work from the Museum D'Orsay.

It's easy to forget that the sun shines outside, contemplating the icy atmosphere of this masterpiece depicted by Caillebotte:

Vue de toits (effets de neige) - Gustave Caillebottealmost hear the noise of the train ...
Gare Saint Lazare - Claude Monet
or witness the fatigue and loneliness through Lautrec's masterful lines
Seule - Toulouse Lautrec
As we are not allowed to take pictures, I've picked these ones from the web.
Paris au temps des Impressionistes ends July 30th.

Marina da Gloria

2011-04-05T20:56:00.009-03:00

I´m always intrigued by the light hitting the cobweb formed by the masts, rigs, ropes and their reflex on the water as well.

Marina da Gloria- Sandra Nunes - 46x61cm soft pastel on wallis
Having fun with pastels!

Community Alleyway

2011-04-02T22:17:00.006-03:00

The Community of Morro Dona Marta was the stage for the Clip "They don´t care about us" by Michael Jackson in 1996 and is now in a moment of transformation. This composition suggested me an interpretation in soft pastels...

Dona Marta Community Alleyway-Sandra Nunes
soft pastels on Wallis-61x38cm

p.s. I would like to thank everybody for the kind phone calls and emails after the program "Art in Exhibition" on the radio.

Art on the Radio!

2011-03-15T17:27:00.004-03:00

I´ll be featured and interviewed in the program " Art in Exhibition" . It is a weekly radio show about art backstage scenario with music, comments and much more. Listeners will be given the chance to win an original oil painting!
Stay tuned!
Thrusday - March 17th - 10 pm
Rio de Janeiro Radio 1400 khz - Rio de Janeiro- Brazil .

Sunrise at the Pharoux Wharf - Color notes

2011-03-12T18:00:00.022-03:00

Undoubtedly, one of the aspects that attract me most in painting outdoors is the total integration with the theme.I have been to Pharoux Wharf intending to start a composition I had planned some time ago.
As it was a large format, I considered working in more than one session on the site. On the first day I had the good fortune to meet Monalisa (!), the friendly parking lot clerk who, showing great interest in the painting process, started telling me about the beauty of the sunrise at that place.
I told her my concern about being out so early when most of the city is still asleep. I learned then that the movement of people already exists at that time as the ferryboats start arriving from the other side of the Bay and she is already working.
I didn´t think twice, I put the large canvas on hold and the next day I was there to witness the wonderful show of colors from the pier.
I knew all would be fast, so I went well prepared just to make color notes on small formats:

Sunrise at the Pharoux Wharf - color notes -Sandra Nunes ost 12x22cm
Then, all very quick ...some minutes later, another light, the sun going his way up and clouds coming down...and ...daylight...cloudy?

Clouds over the wharf- color notes -Sandra Nunes- o/b 16x22cm

Pochade box closed, all set to go back home and some steps ahead, sun shining, flamboyants in bloom and the exquisite Albamar green building as backddrop. I had to start over...

Albamar- Harmony in red and green -color notes -Sandra Nunes- o/b 16x22m
Long and productive morning.
Thanks Monalisa!

Marina da Gloria

2011-02-13T19:35:00.007-02:00

High summer, Rio reaches challenging temperatures for plein air painting...
Heading to waterfront for a bit of fresh air...
Marina da Gloria- Sandra Nunes -o/c 38x46cm

Laranjeiras Palace

2011-01-25T18:28:00.006-02:00

I love these Palace towers nestled by the leafy trees of the park, and the high summer light bathing them made an irresistible composition!
Palacio Laranjeiras - Sandra Nunes o/c 46x31 cm

Website up and running!

2011-01-22T09:50:00.001-02:00

My website is back online, thanks for your patience!
www.sandranunes.com

Experiencing downtime

2011-01-20T11:02:00.003-02:00

Since yesterday we are experiencing downtime with the oficial website www.sandranunes.com. We are in contact with the server to fix the problem as soon as possible. I´m sorry for this incovenience, please be patient and check back soon. Fortunatelly the blog is on!
Please contact me at sandramnsb@gmail.com
Thanks for stopping by!

Cine Odeon

2010-12-30T16:33:00.010-02:00

Back to Cinelandia, this time I was interested on the beautiful façade of Cine Odeon and the busy square in front of it.
This is one of the most traditional Rio de Janeiro`s movie theatres and it is great to know that it was completelly restored.

Cine Odeon- sandra nunes - o/c 46X61cm

Mahatma Ghandi Square

2010-12-17T22:39:00.008-02:00

This composition had been playing inside of me for some time and finally I had all set to put it on the canvas.
Armed with a 90x140 cm canvas , large tubes of paint and my master painting equipment I headed downtown to Mahatma Gandhi square on a Saturday morning.
I´ve chosen this day as there are not all that people milling around as on weekdays.
Working outdoors with that dimensions can be a a bit more complex and there´s a greater need to keep focused for longer periods.

Well, the first surprise was to learn that the square was closed that day (besides being Saturday, it was holiday), but thanks to the security guard on duty, I got permission to start my work and so I had the square all to myself.
Well , I positioned my easel where I had planned. Started with the general lines ...

and then the second surprise ... I forgot the palette!
At that time I couldn´t even think about going back to get it. The late spring sun had already announced that the day would be really warm and the light was changing very quickly. What to do? I looked around, everything was clean, newly cut grass, flowers sprouting ... I walked around without hope of finding something to substitute my palette ... then I saw my salvation behind a bush : a large empty cooking oil can!
(ok don´t ask me why this can was there)

my bench studio-sandra nunes

I didn´t think twice, that was the palette I needed and fortunatelly I could give the first strokes of this painting...

Mahatma ghandi first strokes

Mahatma Ghandi Square-oil on linen 90x140cm-Sandra Nunes

Vitoria Regia - Victoria Amazonica

2010-11-30T19:32:00.008-02:00

The Star of the waters
Blooming of Vitoria Regia in Rio de Janeiro Botanic Garden
This time in a large format...

Vitoria Regia -Sandra Nunes - oil on canvas 73x92cm

Church of Our Lady of Glory

2010-11-26T09:39:00.005-02:00

This beautiful catholic church was built at the end of the 19th Century. Its cornerstone was set by Emperor Peter II, it is located at Largo do Machado, a nice square surronded by centennial leafy trees.

Our Lady of Glory - Sandra Nunes oil on canvas 73x54cm

Stroll in Copacabana Fortress

2010-11-17T17:54:00.009-02:00

Long time without posting, but I intend to catch up in a near future,
meanwhile...
Stroll in Copacabana Fortess- Sandra Nunes-
oil on linen 54x46cm

Cinelandia

2010-09-29T14:15:00.013-03:00

Cinelandia, a square downtown Rio , is a never ending inspiration. Leafy trees, people milling around and the most beautiful architetonic group of the city!

Cinelandia oil on linen 60x80cm -Sandra Nunes

sandra nunes painting downtown
It really requires a lot of concentration to paint downtown...

Carioca Impressions - Solo Show

2010-09-19T08:19:00.039-03:00

Solo Show at Castelinho 38 Gallery

Well, the show came to its end and I´ve been working sending paintings to their new homes. Some happy collectors had already received theirs and others will get them soon. It was a great experience to meet old friends, get to know several silent blog followers and be able to join some names to real faces.
It is amazing the feeling of connection brought by art which links people who otherwise would be perfect strangers.

Some collectors and friends

Some paintings are travelling a long distance...
Australian Collectors

Castelinho38 gallery was a perfect place for this exhibition, a beautiful archtecture in a quiet street of Santa Teresa and a very friendly staff

You can view some other special moments of the exhibit in the slideshow in the sidebar or here

Worldwide Paint Out 2010

2010-09-15T00:09:00.014-03:00

This year we headed downtown and gathered in Cinelândia, a beautiful square surrounded by important buildings such as Fine Arts National Museum, Municipal Theatre and National Library. We were blessed with a sunny morning and a nice late winter temperature .Coordinated by IPAP(International Plein Air Painters) this event hapens every year.
It turns out that the paint out is also a special day here, when we meet friends and make new ones. This year we had the presence of a virtual friend from São Paulo (400 km from Rio) and from Campos dos Goytacazes (more than 300km far from Rio)

The paintings will be in a show at Brazilian Fine Arts Society.

Carioca Impressions - Solo show

2010-09-01T07:10:00.010-03:00

I´m proud to announce the opening of my upcoming solo show "Carioca Impressions"
It will be part of a great event in Rio de Janeiro´s Cultural calendar :Arte de Portas Abertas- "Open doors Studio"
My show will be held in Castelinho 38 gallery, a charming and cosy building well located in a quiet street in Santa Teresa. It will showcase my recent paintings emphasizing my on-going Santa Teresa Collections.
If you happen to be in the area , drop in. I´ll be happy to meet you there!

Here is the place where the show will be held, I could not resist this bright morning light hitting the side wall and peaking through the castle towers:

castelinho 38 -oil on canvas 41x33cm sandra nunes

My Backyard

2010-08-12T20:46:00.007-03:00

Botafogo Cove Sandra Nunes o/c 40x60cm

Largo do Boticario 2010

2010-07-31T14:39:00.006-03:00

This was the painting I was working on when I was interviewed by brazilian newspaper, Jornal do Brasil

Largo do Boticario Sandra Nunes o/c 54x65cm

Featured in Brazilian Newspaper!

2010-07-26T16:20:00.018-03:00

Back to Largo do Boticario
I was featured in Brazilian Newspaper- Jornal do Brasil- about preserving the Historic National heritage !
Last week I went back to Largo do Boticario, the same place where I painted a series of plein air studies which were inspiration for the Large Panel I had been comissioned then .
To my disapointment the scenery was completely different.
To my friends who can´t read Portuguese; It is about the need to preserve our architectural heritage and the neglect this Rio de Janeiro hidden gem is suffering...About me and my feelings regarding this situation translated on canvas.

please,click and zoom in to read the article...

Intermezzo

2010-07-17T08:45:00.003-03:00

Well, since my last post, a lot have been happening. Life is not linear What to post now? Where to start? I´m back from a trip to the old world where I could meet again some of my favorite Masters.No modern reproduction comes close to the impact of an original painting, not only colors, but brushstrokes, line drawing...
Altogether with the scenery,people, smells, sounds from these countries all the impressions are recorded in my soul, no photo will tell the truth of my eyes.
I must paint it, stay tuned!
Meanwhile,one of my paintings was selected for a group show about Rio de Janeiro Landscape I´ll post the painting and the details soon, it was sent to the contest while I was out, no time to photograph it...and yet there´s a local show coming this September...

Talking about non linear time, this painting was from the view I used to have from my previous studio, (now it´s slightly different...)

Botafogo Cove- Sandra Nunes oil on canvas 100 x 72 cm

Church Backyard

2010-04-29T11:48:00.006-03:00

These centennial buildings in the church backyard reminds us of a bygone era...

Church Backyard - heavy body acrylic on linen 46x55cm Sandra Nunes

April Waters

2010-04-08T22:48:00.004-03:00

April Waters
This is the first post in this blog without pictures, without paintings...The city of Rio de Janeiro is now submerged in a sea of mud, huge old trees thrown on the ground, flooded roads, many lives are being cut short, taken by the force of water coming down the slopes...
No images and no more words by now...

Gone to the Beach

2010-02-28T14:42:00.004-03:00

It´s still too warm for plein air painting here. It seems temps are not going to change so soon. I knew I wouldn´t stand the heat for a long time, so I went to the beach with my smallest pochade box . Maybe I´ll approach this subject with a larger canvas in the future...
Gone to the beach - oil on panel 16x22 cm - Sandra Nunes

Summer Hiatus

2010-02-02T05:41:00.005-02:00

Urca, Portugal Avenue
New Year, new projects, new paintings...
It´s hard to believe that it´s already February and that it has been more than one month since my last post. Rio de Janeiro is experiencing extremely high temperatures, it´s a though season for plein air painting. I need to slow down the pace and stablish strategies to cope with the unbearable heat.
Once more I went to Urca district in search of shade and of a refreshing breeze from the sea. Strolling through Portugal Avenue this Flamboyant in bloom called my attention, suggesting an harmonious composition with the sunlight bathing the colorful walls.
Portugal Avenue-Urca - Sandra Nunes o/c 50x70cm

A Midsummer Night in Rio - Christmas Festival

2009-12-03T22:32:00.023-02:00

Christmas Festival is a life size outdoors Nativity Scenes show, exclusively produced by 50 Brazilian artists selected through a contest.
These works are displayed in public places such as airports, streets and subway stations.

The concept of Nativity I´ve presented for this event is naturally a byproduct of my daily plein air painting work on the streets of Rio de Janeiro, which, in addition to its stunning beauty, exposes the daily lives of its people in a social-economic and cultural melting pot.

A Midsummer Night in Rio...
"The bohemian Lapa district becomes the stage for the birth of a baby at the foot of its Arches...Three curious street kids approach that family attracted by the scene..."

A Midsummer Night in Rio - Sandra Nunes
mixed media - 13.7x8.2x3.3 feetThis work is displayed at Rio de Janeiro Bus Terminal - Downtown from November 29th to January 6th
You can watch the work in progress here

Jardim de Alah - Alah´s Garden

2009-11-13T11:06:00.005-02:00

I love these almond trees. Brought from India, where they are native, they have adapted so well to our climate that they grow almost with joy and are present in almost every street .Their leaves fall -oficially in winter- but before,they change from green to various shades of red, pink pumpkin, yellow, transforming the sidewalks and streets in a multicolored tapestry. It´s a beauty, a real feast for the eyes!
Their trunks and leafless branches against sunlight become exquisite organic sculptures.
Alah´s Garden - oil on canvas 40x60cm-Sandra Nunes

Back to Ipanema - Nossa Senhora da Paz Church

2009-11-06T00:48:00.005-02:00

I returned to the same spot I had been in Ipanema to catch the morning light ont the gothic/arabic(?) architecture of that beautiful church. This time with a larger linen canvas....

Nossa Senhora da Paz Church -o/l - 72x65cm - Sandra Nunes

Lavradio Street - Lapa

2009-11-02T12:46:00.009-02:00

This 18th Century street in downtown Rio de Janeiro experiences a renaissance nowadays.It is located in Rio’s historical and commercial center. From the end of the 19th Century, the city’s elite made its home in Lapa district, where baronesses and counts mixed with Rio’s bohemian population. The city’s best cabarets and theatres were located there.
As I´ve been working on extra large formats,(I´ll post it soon) I´ve decided to approach this theme with small studies for a change.Maybe I´ll paint some of them larger in the future... I like to alternate between large and smalishes, each one has its own charm.
It was an overcast day and I decided to stop at this corner where nowadays is the headquarter of Brazilian Fine Art Society.

Brazilian Fine Arts Society - op 22x27 cm Sandra Nunes
The next day I headed to the last block of Rua do Lavradio. Lined with tastefully decorated restaurants, nightclubs, antique stores and a neighborhood barbershop, it was restored and entirely pedestrianized. It was difficult not to be distracted by the turn of the century streetlights, and several other embelishments of this part of the street.
I intended to edit , simplify and focus on the play of light on the colorful old buildings.

Lavradio Street - op 22x27cm - Sandra Nunes

This place sure deserves a series...

Spring!

2009-09-28T10:41:00.012-03:00

Flower Parade
Some additional information about the project I mentioned in the previous post
The show Welcome to Spring is an urban interference to which 20 artists from Rio de Janeiro and 20 from Sao Paulo were invited to customize an iron structure of a stylized flower freely, linking the image of spring to the lauching of a Johnson Company product.
After the show, the flowers will be auctioned and part of the proceeds will go to charity institutions.
The show will be on till October 23rd.

My flower was installed in Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas district.
Watch the creative process and installation:

Welcome Spring!

2009-09-24T00:20:00.010-03:00

Carioca Spring
This is a comission I´ve just finished as a part of a marketing project for Johnson Company launching of a new product.
The concept is to link spring season just beginning with the artwork.
I´ve received the stylized flower to work freely with it.

My inspiration: Rio de Janeiro
Working on side 2
Working on side 1 Braiding wires(spring on the tram rails)

Carioca Spring side 1 - mixed media - Sandra Nunes

Carioca Spring - side 2 - mixed media - Sandra Nunes

In the next post I´ll show some close ups and the making of... stay tuned!

7th Worldwide Paint Out- Rio de Janeiro 2009

2009-09-19T19:10:00.039-03:00

The Worldwide Paint Out this year took place at Jardim de Alah.(read about last year´s in this link) Participating artists came from several nearby cities and we had a blast! Jardim de Alah is the frontier of Ipanema and Leblon districts. It´s a very silent and inspiring site nestled between Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas and the beach.
A warm sun welcomed the artists who arrived around 08:00am to capture the first morning light.
I was interviewed by Via Ipanema newspaper that gave us great exposure.

The Place:

The banner

The Group: As usual it was difficult to gather everybody to photograph.

Receiving guest artists from nearby cities:
Dyandreia...

The Photographer J. Carino:

Gilmar, Solange, Sandra Nunes,Jeanne Rouvvier, Ignez, Barbara
Getting ready for the group photo:

.
Artists at work:
Afonso...
Augusto Marques...

Patricia Newman...

Pedro da Costa...
Sousa...

Sidney...

Sandro, Maria Eunice...Alencar...
Claudite, Chung...

Ig Longuiño...

Therezinha Hillal(President of Fine Arts Brazilian Society),Cristina Bicalho, Ricardo Newton and Sandra Nunes

The Group: Once more, several participating artists missing ...I could not gather everybody..It´s been a great experience to coordinate this event here, watching plein air painting get exposure and growing.
The works resulting from this event will be in a show in Brazilian Fine Artist Society from September 28th.
As soon as I can, I´ll post some photos of this event in other states...

Nossa Senhora da Paz Curch

2009-09-04T17:07:00.007-03:00

Ipanema

This time I wanted to capture a beach scene with some figures. I went to Ipanema district, but on my way I was caught by this exquisite light on the church.
The beach scene was called off. I had to capture that. Certainly I´ll go back there to observe it from another point of view.

Nossa Senhora da Paz Church op 27x22cm - Sandra Nunes

Back to Cara de Cao Hill

2009-08-09T20:43:00.009-03:00

This was a week of sudden changes of weather. For the third time this year I returned to Cara de Cao hill,I was sure that it would rain, but even so I picked a larger format, the gray day was inviting me to paint.
This time I had one more challenge, the wind started gently to blow and I had to be careful so that my light easel wouldn´t fly.

Rainy day in Urca - Sandra Nunes oil on linen 50x70cm

p.s. I´m so sorry I misposted this one. I had previously posted this in Portuguese!

Painting Reminiscences

2009-07-11T23:03:00.008-03:00

Joao Homem Street - Conceicao Hill
There are some places in Rio de Janeiro where time seems to have stopped or goes slower. One of these places is Conceicao Hill.Besides being an important historical landmark of the city and of Brazil it is an island of peacefullness.

Beautiful centenary houses, located in the port area and surrounded by skyscrapers this site is a rarity.Children playing on the streets, neighbours (most of them Portuguese descendents) talking to each other from their windows... there is a calm atmosphere, a tranquility that contrasts with urban noises and nearby sounds.

This day I walked up and down the narrow streets and alleys before I found this one. I could not resist the charming colorful old houses bathed by the morning sunlight.I had to open my easel and paint a piece of this oasis.

Joao Homem Street- o/c 61x38cm - Sandra Nunes

Urca- Clearing Skies

2009-07-04T23:56:00.006-03:00

Undefined weather, after a rainy night the sky starts to clear and the dance of the clouds creates a beautiful show on the water. I had to work fast and I hope I did justice in capturing the exquisite winter light.

Urca- Clearing Sky - oil on linen 38x46cm - Sandra Nunes

Victoria Regia - Victoria Amazonica

2009-05-26T19:25:00.009-03:00

The Star of the Waters
Its a privilege to witness the blooming of this tropical water lily in Botanic Garden bathed by the warm sun of May. It is a perfect combination of colors, smells... and it´s a pity their flowers last only three days...

Vitoria Regia- Victoria Amazonica op 22x27cm Sandra Nunes

Take a look at a larger version I did based on this composition here

Candelaria Church

2009-05-07T10:26:00.005-03:00

Candelaria Church

A walking tour through dowtown Rio de Janeiro can be a trip to the past...

Candelaria Church oil on canvas 27x22cm - Sandra Nunes

Quinta da Boa Vista - ( Park of the Nice View)

2009-04-28T10:54:00.007-03:00

This place has an interesting history for Brazilians' life and specially for Rio de Janeiro inhabitants. First, these lands belonged to the Catholic Church priests, then they were divided among Portuguese slave merchants. One of them built a palace on the top of a hill from where he could watch Rio de Janeiro astonishing view, hence the name "Park of Nice View". When the Royal family came to live in Brazil(1808) this property was "donated" to the Emperor (in fact it was traded for a nobility title), then it became one of The Royal Family´s residences in Rio de Janeiro till the end of XIXth century.
Nowadays this park located in the north zone of the city shelters the Zoo and The Brazilian National Museum.

Besides all this history, what attracted me in this composition was how to depict with brushstrokes on the canvas the huge area of different hues of green surrounding the lake having Corcovado mountain as background. Families and lovers in red "pedalinhos" gliding over the water mirror ...
This scenery is part of the emotional memory of most of Rio de Janeiro inhabitants who go, or used to go there for a Sunday picnic with family, school mates or for a romantic stroll.

Quinta da Boa Vista - oil on canvas 54x65cm- Sandra Nunes

Blooming Silk Cotton Trees

2009-04-07T17:55:00.013-03:00

April Flowers
It´s been two or three weeks that whenever I pass by Flamengo Park a rich red spot calls my attention. It´s time for the silk cotton tree to bloom here.
Between the two freeway lanes which runs across the park a lone specimen performs its daily show.
As this area is interdict to the traffic on Sundays, I decided to cross the street and give the tree a closer look.
Sandra Nunes painting silk cotton tree

I remained for a long time observing the character of this exquisite young tree admiring its flowers, its upright trunk, its green leaves that should not be there anymore if the weather were dryer.

Red Silk Cotton Tree - oil on panel27X22cm -Sandra Nunes
After finishing this painting, I started to gather my brushes and paints, when I was almost ready to close my easel I turned back and a leafy pink silk cotton tree invites me to sit under its shade. In fact I called it leafy for lack of a better word, there were just a few green leaves left. Its lush canopy was almost completely made of flowers!
I could not resist , I had to answer to this appeal, I was carried away by the abstract masses of color and this time my emotional response was much more immediate...
Pink Silk Cotton Tree - oil on panel 22x27cm - Sandra Nunes

Largo das Neves, Santa Teresa

2009-03-24T10:27:00.009-03:00

Where the tram turns around

Surrounded by beautiful small two store buildings from 19th century, this Santa Teresa´s bucolic square often acts as scenario for movies and commercial ads. I set up my painting gear in front of the old church and started my composition.
The tram had already its place reserved on my canvas, it was just a matter of time and it would come to model for me. When it started its run my work was already structured and little by little the lazy Sunday morning started to wake up; locals and tourists heading the center of the square called my attention, from far away it could be heard the sound of berimbau (Brazilian musical instrument). People started to gather and I heard from a passerby that a Brazilian Capoeira show would start in some minutes.For a short period of time I was undecided, should I watch the show or should I go on with my painting? This sort of game, fight, dance is really amazing the players literally fly!
The unexpected crowd jumped into my canvas in quick brushstrokes. I had made my mind for the painting. When I finally could close my easel, the show was about to come to its end.

Largo das Neves, Santa Teresa –oil on linen 60x80cm – Sandra Nunes

If you liked this one you will like to see these paintings.

Plein Air Painting time lapse demo

2009-02-08T19:09:00.006-02:00

This is a short clip registering 3.30 h. work condensed in 1.55". It is very cumbersome to do this on a busy the sidewalk and it wouldn´t have been possible without assistance.

Catete Street, Rio de Janeiro oil on linen 54x65cm

Sunny Day at Guanabara Bay

2009-01-13T20:16:00.009-02:00

Finally the sun came for two days in a row and with it the weather that suits this city so well. From the first hours of the day on we can learn that the temperature is going to be very high, what can also be a challenge to the plein air painter.

I headed to the same spot where I did the first 2009 plein air painting (please, check the previous post) in search of that friendly leafy tree which gave me shelter from the rain. This time it provided me the shade I needed to protect me from the unbearable warmth of the sun.

I decided to do the same composition of the last sketch just for fun and the silvery grays gave way to the warm light of Rio de Janeiro summertime.

Sunny Day at Guanabara Bay - oil on panel 16x22cm -Sandra Nunes

Sketching in the Rain

2009-01-06T19:54:00.006-02:00

The weather didn´t give a signal of improving and my desire of painting outdoors was increasing at each rainy day. I decided to take the risk and despite the threatening heavy clouds in the sky, I went in search of that beautiful light that only rainy days can provide. I went to the seashore where the reflective water surface shows thousands of gray hues and the wind that moves the vessels provoques exquisite graphisms.

I found a huge leafy tree which, like a big green umbrella, would protect me for a time from an upcoming heavy rain . I sat on the bulwark and I thought I´d better not attaching the tripod to my pochade box as in case of an emergency it would be faster to get out.

The quality of the photo above isn´t that good as when I asked a nice couple to take it, I didn´t realize the camera was in recording mode, so this is a still of a movie.
Due to the circumstances I knew I had to work faster than fast, it was a real fight against the time lacking to start to rain, who would win? I started to say my mantra: simplify… simplify… get the essence...essence...essence ...

Well, end of the story: It rained(not so heavily) but the generous tree protected me from the drizzle and this is the result of my adventure:

First 2009 plein air painting:
Rainy Day at Guanabara Bay - oil on panel 16x22cm- Sandra Nunes

Urca Fishing Boats

2008-12-31T20:27:00.013-02:00

This is definitely a rainy season. Another break after several rainy days and there I went to paint in Urca. I had done a small sketch of this composition last week and I decided to do it in a larger format,this time a vertical one. I wanted the mountain, the Yatch Club and the bridge. The boats would be the stars.
These old boats are very charming and Corcovado mountain is a perfect background for this scene.
After setting up my painting gear, I started organizing the compositional elements on canvas looking for a better harmony of shapes.
Soon I realized that I wouldn´t have time for a detailed drawing as, despite a beautiful sunlight bathing the boats, there was a curtain of clouds starting to cover the mountain.

If I wanted to stick to my original plan I would have to work fast, so I decided for a more direct way, brush and paint, painting and drawing at the same time, adjusting shapes, colors and values. It was as if the mountain were playing hide-and-seek, clouds come and going, challenging my ability to capture the best moment to register on canvas.

I knew I wouldn´t finish this work in one session, but I was determined to go as far as I could until light changed too much. I was lucky, it didn´t rain.

Fortunatelly the next day the whether condition was the same and although the hide-and-seek continued , I could go on painting.

Last 2008 painting:
Urca Fishing Boats - oil on linen canvas 90cm x 50cm Sandra Nunes

Albamar

2008-12-22T04:25:00.005-02:00

End of the year and an atypical whether here. Besides the constant rain, the temperature is lower than usual, considering we are entering summertime...
If by one side it is much more agreable to paint without the unbearable warmth, on the other hand, the rain provides a few breaks to open the easel outdoors.

In one of these breaks at the seashore:
This is a reminiscence of Old Rio de Janeiro, this tower is what was left from the five ones that integrated the Municipal Market. The others were demolished to give way to a new freeway in the in the 1960`s. Nowadays it is seafood restaurant that operates at the same spot since 1933.
The sea smell intensified by the damp atmosphere inspired me in this composition

Albamar -oil on panel 16x22cm -Sandra Nunes

Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas

2008-12-18T19:45:00.004-02:00

This is the same spot where the last Worldwide Paint Out took place.
Being the host of the event , I didn´t have time to paint that day, I´ve done a small unfinished sketch and later I went back there to paint , this time by myself.
One of the most beautiful Rio de Janeiro´s postcards, Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon portraying a rich ecossystem offers to the passersby spectacles of uncanny beauty at any time of the day at any season of the year .Surrounded by sophisticated districts (Ipanema, Leblon, Jardim Botânico) and framed by majestic mountains it is a good option of leisure for the family.

Sunday at Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon -oil on canvas 46x61cm - Sandra Nunes

Curvelo Tram Station

2008-12-12T18:03:00.010-02:00

This post could be named "There goes the Tram" complementing the post 'Here comes the Tram" , from my ongoing Santa Teresa series. This painting was done from the same spot of the last one. This time, working on a larger format, I looked to my right side where the tram leaves the district to its final stop downtown. I was intrigued by the exquisite backlight on the building and on people walking on the quiet street.

Curvelo Tram Station - oil on canvas 38x61cm- Sandra Nunes
Check other paintings from this series in my official website http://www.sandranunes.com/santa_teresa.html

Saint Francis Church

2008-11-22T16:18:00.006-02:00

Saint Francis Church, oil on canvas 27x22cm

This study is a crop of an old church, maybe one of the oldest in Niterói(one of Rio de Janeiro´s neighbour cities). It was established in the XVIth or XVIIth Century and it is a precious example of Brazilian Colonial architecture, keeping in its interior rarities as an image of Saint Francis plated in gold and a Baptismal sink made by the Indians.
I intend to go back to this site as the reflective surface of its white walls in light as well as in shade are very appealing to paint.

Plein Air Painting in Urca

2008-10-29T19:22:00.009-02:00

Sketching in Urca

I love mornings in Urca. This district in Rio de Janeiro, home of Sugar Loaf Mountain is always very quiet. The charming houses and small buildings shaded by trees is a real oasis.
I´ve decided to work in some small sketches as a counterpoint of a very large painting that is in progress by now.
I aimed to simplify the most I could. I intended to take pictures of the process, but it didn´t work, I took just one of the first washes and then, I forgot to stop...

First washes...
Felix Laranjeiras Square - Urca- oil on canvas 22x27cm Sandra Nunes

This charming red brick house half shaded by a green garden was calling me to paint

The red brick house- Urca -oil on canvas 27x22cm -Sandra Nunes

6th WORLDWIDE PAINT OUT - Rio de Janeiro 2008

2008-09-10T20:06:00.065-03:00

6th Wordwide Paint Out - Rio de Janeiro 2008

The event this year in Brazil was different from the past ones. This time I´ve decided to invite all plein air painters groups and individual artists from Rio de Janeiro and neighbor cities for the 6^th Worldwide Paint Out broadcasting in a web art community and the response was great. I was surprised by the level of engagement of all involved. Not only nearby cities but other states decided to register with IPAP(International Plein Air Painters), like São Paulo with three groups. We had even artists on their own from North and Northeast of Brazil, painting these days and sending us the photos and reporting their experience.

A According to the weather forecast there was 80 % possibility of raining. The place we had chosen was Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon, a beautiful spot to paint plein air, but no shelter available in case of an incoming shower. Rodrigo de Freitas , one of the most beautiful sceneries in the city is preserved by National Patrimony and it portrays a rich ecosystem; it is known as the heart of Rio de Janeiro- for it is heart shaped- , embraced by Corcovado and Christ the redeemer (elected one of the seven modern wonders of the world).

It is surrounded by parks, roller skating ring, a heliport, and jogging /bicycle paths, besides several multi sport courts. On Sundays and holidays, paddleboats offer visitors a unique view of the forest covered mountains framing the loveliest lake in Rio.

Fortunately it was a sunny just a bit hazy morning and the forecast didn´t prove right. Artists started to come at 8.00am some in small groups, with their easels and canvas willing to find a good spot to compose their paintings.

Our meeting in Rio de Janeiro was amazing, the most talented artists came from distant places, and some travelled up to 200 km to be with us.

What a pleinair painter can´t do for a good composition?
Few inches backwards and we would have to rescue a painter from the lake...

Others found a nice spot under a tree...
The interaction with the public:
Observe the perfect handling of the brush:
And expressive brushstroke!

Plein air Painters new generation coming...
Canvas and eseals: Perfect integration with the scene...

It was not a competition, there were no prizes involved and the willingness of being there was evident in each participant´s face. There was an atmosphere of camaraderie. Some of them were virtual friends or were introduced just at that moment. Others, long time brush companions, hadn´t met for years.

Receiving a very important guest:
The Brazilian Contemporary Master Lydio Bandeira de Melo (In blue shirt)

Who didn´t save efforts to go to easel from ease...
Making remarks with the authority of his almost 70 years of artistic life.... João was really trying to focus and paint...

Time for the official photo:

I was trying to gather the artists ...
Almost got it . There are some missing...But I could not locate them
Sitting: Yeda, Afonso Carlos, Arimatéia,Pedro, Yvone Paloschi,Arlindo, Patricia Newman, Alencar, Mária Perroni, Caiado, Sol Vilas Boas, Júlia Smith,Lício Maia Davi, Jeanne Rouvier, Eriberto Almeida, Charlene Moreira , Rafael, Zito, Sidney Lacé

Standing: Claudite,Leonídia, João, Juan Cuenca,Vera Braga, Alexander A., Angela, Alexander A., ângela Chefer, Cândida Ferreira,Solange, Lú, Sousa , Sandra Nunes, Eli Epstein, Ana Moura, Reynaldo Caó, Dyandreia Valverde,Gilson de Souza, Oliveira Celso ,Flora, Ignez Rodrigues,Thiago, Silvânia Paraíso,Augusto Marques,Virgílio Dias

Bandeira de Mello arrives and of course another picture has to be taken
We see some late comers in this one but there are still a lot missing here...
sitting: Reynaldo Caó,Sidney Lacé,Yeda Arouche, Julia Smith,Sol Vilas Boas,Pedro da Costa,Patricia Newman,Arlindo,Marcia Perroni

standing: Charlene,Rafael, Oliveira Celso, Thiago, Zenaide, Dyandreia Valverde,Gilson de souza,Lício Maia,Ana Moura, André, Cristina Bicalho, Rudson, Rita ,Lúcia, Souza Rodrigues,..., Bandeira de Mello, Sandra Nunes, Virgilio Dias, Carlos Lacek,Solange, Cândida,Leonídia, João Barcelos, Arimatéia.Sandro Nolding, Zito

As a hostess of this event, I guessed I wouldn´t have much time to paint, so I decided to take my pochade box and do a small sketch. I couldn´t imagine that it would be almost impossible to use it.
Just after most of artists had already finished their works I could open my box and get my brushes to work.

Am I alone? Can I stop talking?

not yet.

We know that the artist´s life can be lonesome and the International Paint Out promoted by IPAP provided a wonderful opportunity to share experiences and thoughts. Great names of artistic scene answered the call; it was a feast for the eyes to watch them working together, united by the love of plein air painting.

The Worldwide Pain Out - Other Brazilian States

Thanks and Congratulation to the artists who immediatelly accepted the invitation and organized the meeting at their places, promoting Plein Air Painting:

São Gonçalo- Organized by Encontro com a Paisagem
São Paulo Capital 1- Organized by Cíntia Midori
São Paulo Capital 2 - Organizado pelo Grupo Umapaz - Maricy
Peruibe -Organized by Paula
Maceió -Organized by Paulo de Tarso
Belém -Organized by Heloísa
Espírito Santo- Jorge Magalhaes
Minas Gerais - Mário
click to enlarge

Largo dos Guimarães seen from Almirante Alexandrino street - Santa Teresa

2008-09-06T09:10:00.007-03:00

I´m back to my Santa Teresa series of paintings. I´ll post some here as it is more immediate although there are some new ones in my website also at http://www.sandranunes.com/gallery.html

Climbing Almirante Alexandrino street on foot can be a breathtaking experience (pun intended).
We have an astonishing view of Santa Teresa rooftops and Guanabara Bay in the background. The street´s sinuous design is a plus leading our eyes to the tram.

Largo dos Guimarães seen from Almirante Alexandrino street - Oil on canvas 73x54cm -Sandra Nunes

Winter in Paris Gardens - Praça Paris

2008-08-18T10:03:00.009-03:00

Autumn Colors

There are in Rio de Janeiro special places where passersby must stop or at least slow down their pace and enjoy the show mother nature performs. This week I went to paint in “Praça Paris”, one of the most beautiful gardens in the city.

At this time of the year colors blow up, it is a finished work of art in rich tones of ochre, oranges and reds. I went there with my painting equipment to face the challenge of translating my emotion to the canvas, for some time I stood still immersed in that profusion or colors as if I were in one of Akira Kurosawa´s movies. It was hard to decide if I should just sit and enjoy the wonderful atmosphere or if I should stick to my plan of painting.

I took a deep breath and my senses, dazzled by that scenario, refused to squeeze paint on the palette. A short time elapsed until the process started up. I was led by the falling leaves blown by the wind, landing on the easel as well as on the palette as if suggesting what to do next. I launched quickly the composition, the drawing flowing from my hand, I didn´t have time to spare. There was no shade in the place where I decided to work. The glare of the white linen in the sun reached my eyes and the colors started to take their place from the brush to canvas mixing ones to the others composing the images, abstract washes becoming leaves, sky, soil...

I was immersed in that profusion of colors, the brushstrokes coming one after the other, I kept observing the cool blues and grays far away involving the church (Outeiro da Gloria) and the warmer ones inside of the garden, shinning under the light of our winter sun. The morning haze disappeared slowly giving way to the beams through the leaves of the mutant trees.

People jogging, exercising, students in their blue and white uniforms, lovers exchanging caresses, homeless people lying in the shade of the trees….and I was pleased to be there in communion with nature…I entered in the flux…

Sometime later, I really don´t know exactly how much. I started hearing some comments from the passersby; at these moments I generally stop to evaluate my work, and give way to the left brain. I would like to have stopped earlier to take pictures for my records. I like to do this, so that when the painting leaves my studio to meet its owner I keep a bit of that moment. Of course a lot of it remains in the memory, each painting has its own history and that remains impressed inside of me…

Winter in Paris Gardens -(Praça Paris) oil on linen 40x90cm - Sandra Nunes

Children´s and Teenagers` Rights

2008-07-06T21:10:00.012-03:00

I ´ve been painting in Santa Teresa for a while and I`m associated of Chave Mestra,(Santa Teresa Visual Artists Association), this way I´m getting more and more involved with the community issues.

I was invited to participate of the eighteenth anniversary of the Estatuto da Criança e do Adolescente (Law establishing children’s and Teenagers rights).
The event is produced and promoted by a Non Governmental Organization that works with the community of Morro dos Prazeres in Santa Teresa.
The aim of the event is to promote a discussion among the civil society about what has changed as well as what can be done to improve what is not working.

There will be Lectures, debates, workshops and Art exhibition

I accepted the invitation and this is one of the works that will be in the exhibition. This is not like the ones I´m used to post here, but it is enough to go out anytime and we watch to a scene like this:
Sinal Fechado - The little Malabarist oil on canvas 65x54cm - Sandra Nunes

Here comes the tram!

2008-06-30T12:56:00.013-03:00

Continuing my Santa Teresa series, I´m still working on small and large formats . These small canvases or panels come on handy to work en plein air specially in Santa Teresa, climbing its slopes and walking on its narrow, almost non existent sidewalks. (please check the beginning of this series in my official website www.sandranunes.com).

I stopped just in front of Curvelo Tram Station and imediatelly its red roof bathed by our winter sun called my attention , so instead of painting the yellow ochre building with its acqua windows, I decided to work quick and simplify a composition with the red roof thatwas almost shining at that time of the day.

Then it was the time of children from the local public schools to leave. It was a great chance to give some movement to my theme. They ran shouting, calling their companions to catch the crowded tram.

So this painting could only be named:

Here comes the tram! Santa Teresa oil on canvas 22x27cm

Under Repair

2008-06-06T21:18:00.004-03:00

Under repair oil on canvas 38x61cm

Despite the hiatus between the last post and this one, I´ve been working intensively these days, so much that I didn´t believe more than a month has gone...

SouthwestArt Magazine

2008-04-30T18:38:00.003-03:00

World Tour of Contemporary Landscape Artists...

Three Falls Waterfall - Penedo

2008-04-25T20:08:00.004-03:00

About 190 kilometers from Rio de Janeiro, this place is a piece of paradise. Penedo is a quiet place full of waterfalls formed along Rio das Pedras (Stone’s River), the generally low temperature doesn’t prevent from a bath in its cold and clean waters

Early in the morning I sat comfortably on a stone, listening just the murmur of the waters and birds singing...
Opening the paint box was a natural gesture...

After a couple of hours, tourists start to come...

Suddenly I realize I´m on a trail...that stone was on the middle of the way to the waterfall...

Time to stop...

Three Falls Waterfall - Penedo oil on canvas 16x22cm

Old Fountain

2008-04-17T20:25:00.008-03:00

Old Fountain oil on linen on canvas 8"x10"

The purpose of some fountains in Rio de Janeiro was to provide potable water to the city. Some of these are still working today in their original form. This one was first built in downtown area in 1883, then in 1904 as a part of the process of modernization of the city, it was transferred to the south zone in the district of Botafogo.

Paint your village and you will paint the world...
Well, this is pretty much what I´ve been trying to do. This is the first image I see whenever I get out home, although I´ve already painted it, I´ve never composed it this way.
The morning light bathes the old fountain with Corcovado Mountain in the background as a witness.
This painting is going to Far and Near Horizons - World tour of contemporary Landscape Artists. I thought it would be interesting, to send a piece of my "daily life". The exhibition is already in its second year and to start this season it will be in Eastes Park - Fine Art Gallery, Colorado USA.

Check the exhibition schedule in the side bar of this Blog

Arcos da Lapa - Gateway to Santa Teresa

2008-03-29T16:56:00.010-03:00

Arcos da Lapa - oil on canvas 46x55cm -Sandra Nunes

This corner in the old downtown area is very inspiring.These arches (old aqueduct) cut the district of Lapa, with its decaying colonial two-story houses, taking the old trams to Santa Teresa.
What moves and intrigues me at this site is the comtemporary atmosphere that reminds us of a romantic time gone by.

Urca Beach - Oil and sand on panel

2008-02-17T13:53:00.009-03:00

People always ask me why do I like so much plein air painting if in the studio it is much more comfortable. Well, I have a lot of answers to that question, short and long ones.
Maybe it´s because I love the unpredictable...
Warm sun, a light breeze...
After one hour of work on composition, first washes and I´m ready for some impasto areas.
Time to stop look and take some pictures.
A not so light breeze and...
Where is the panel?
More texture than I wanted...
A lot of scraping and much of the sand as well as my brushwork is gone.
More observation and one more hour of work...
Urca Beach - Oil and some sand on panel 8 x10"

Rainy Morning- Praça XV

2008-02-03T14:51:00.000-02:00

Painting en plein air during summer in Rio de Janeiro is always a surprise. Gnerally we have sunny mornings and heavy showers in the afternoon. But we never know...
This special morning when I started this painting it was cloudy, then a bright sun appeared and later a heavy shower came down. I decided to be consistent with my beginning and kept it cloudy. I like rainy days, cools and warms kind of mix and light is difuse. Fortunatelly I had a shelter under a bridge and could finish it in the site.

Article in O O Globo Newspaper about plein air painting in the city

2008-01-23T13:33:00.001-02:00

Article in O O Globo Newspaper About plein air painting in the city

2008-01-23T13:09:00.001-02:00

Painting in Santa Teresa Morro dos Prazeres

2008-01-02T22:35:00.002-02:00

To open my posts this year I though I shoud post some images painting en plein air. This one is from Morro dos Prazeres in Santa Teresa, some of the most astonishing views from Rio de Janeiro can be seen from this spot.

Relógio e Outeiro da Glória

2007-12-16T00:56:00.000-02:00

Relógio e Outeiro da Gloria -Sandra Nunes -46x65cm

The morning light bathes the centenary clock and the bulwark projecting interesting patterns of shade on the sidewalk. Gloria used to be a very elegant district at the turn of XIX century, there was tramway along the bulwark and a stop here.

Açude da Solidão - Loneliness Dam -Tijuca Rain Forest

2007-10-31T20:47:00.001-02:00

Açude da Solidão - Loneliness Dam - 46x61 cm oil on canvas Sandra Nunes

Ilha Fiscal- oil on canvas, 60x80cm -Sandra Nunes

2007-10-24T18:15:00.000-02:00

Ilha Fiscal- oil on canvas 60x80cm

Fiscal Island with its 19th century palace, built by Emperor PeterII in neo-gothic style in 1889. It was here the famous last ball of the Monarchy six days before Republic was established. Nowadays it belongs to the Brazilian Navy and it is an important touristic site in Rio De Janeiro.

Marina da Glória

2007-10-22T07:45:00.000-02:00

Marina da Glória oil on canvas 54x65cm - Sandra Nunes

Antonio Parreiras Museum

2007-10-19T23:19:00.000-02:00

Antonio Parreiras Studio, oil on canvas 46x61 cm

2007-10-19T23:04:00.001-02:00

To celebrate the 70th aniversary of death of Antonio Parreiras, one of the greatest Brazilian Landscape Plein Air Painters , artists were invited to paint in the garden of his house where today is the Antonio Parreiras Museum.
I´ve chosen this composition showing the entrance of his studio, it was an amazing experience to be in this event. As a closure, there was a show (Minha Terra tem Parreiras) when the 21 paintings were exhibited

Lapa o/c 61x38cm Sandra Nunes

2007-10-19T22:41:00.001-02:00

Lapa oil on canvas 61x38cm Sandra Nunes

Lapa, Joaquim Silva street - Rio de Janeiro downtown
Traditional Bohemian area in Rio de Janeiro, it is nowadays a mix of diverse cultural and artistic manifestations. Here you find places where you listen to typical Afro-Brazilian and luso- Brazilian music - samba, forró, chorinho- as well as hip hop and other world influences. Behind the beaten by time windows, you find bars and restaurants where intelectuals come for a beer and enjoy the "Brazilian Montmarte" atmosphere. This is one of the gateways to Santa Teresa hill.

Rio de Janeiro seen from Morro dos Prazeres, Santa Teresa

2007-10-16T19:10:00.001-02:00

Morro dos Prazeres, oil on canvas 60x 1.20 (24" x47") -Sandra Nunes