Mahatma Ghandi Square
Friday, December 17, 2010
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
Posted bySandra Nunes at 10:39 PM 6 comments
Labels: cinelandia, mahatma ghandi square.monroe palace, oil painting, plein air painting, rio de janeiro painting, Sandra Nunes, urbanscapes, water fountain
Largo das Neves, Santa Teresa
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
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.
Posted bySandra Nunes at 10:27 AM 4 comments
Labels: berimbau, bonde de santa teresa, brazilian art, Brazilian Landscapes, capoeira, rio de janeiro painting, Sandra Nunes, santa teresa tram, tramway
