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Angeline Marie Martinez
Living her best artist life with ink and paint often on her hands
For sure, I've forgotten some reasons...but this list has held steady for about three years.
I think this list is appropriate for the start of 2025, eh?
I think this list is appropriate for the start of 2025, eh?
- Green
- Humid
- Breezy
- Bats flying
- Crickets
- Lots of geckos
- Toads that say “Greeeeat!”
- Dink frogs
- Hummingbirds
- Howler monkeys
- Red red flowers
- A funny flower that’s red pineapple like body and then has two huge white blooms with red centers on top like a freaky happy goofy animal
- Huge vines on huge trees
- Ocean breezes
- Salsa music at grocery store entrances
- Shopping is like hunting: got try a lot of stores to find that one 😤shower cap you didn’t pack
- But cool mechanical pencil found at an other shop lol
- Dusty then muddy roads
- 4 wheel drive
- Andy teaching me how to drive little by little
- Our SUV Toyota Prado 2005 that I named Brutus…and the name’s stuck
- Custom made furniture, 6 pieces, handmade for price of maybe one piece, not pressboard
- Google asking if it’s you because you now have CR IP address
- No parking at busy tourist place but then you get peopled out so quickly you’re there half hour
- NO TRAFFIC JAMS
- Learning vocabulary
- Like canceling a facture. That means paying the bill.
- Mountains. Valleys. Hills. Cows. Chickens in our rental yard. Horses
- Feels better outside than inside
- Cold water from faucets. Drinkable
- Random power blips
- No GFIs. Lol
- Trash cans for toilet paper
- Earthquakes we don’t feel
If you found me somehow and it's still January, 2025, the Lucky Cat Email Parade for the Year of the Snake is through January 29th, 2025. If you'd like to watch this email parade, please sign up for my emails by clicking this sentence. If you're on my email list already, you've already a VIP spot to see the Lucky Cat Parade!
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Angeline Marie Martinez
Loves to paint goofy cats and support pet rescue efforts
Elcira and I visited the Coffee Cat Cafe in Uvita. The cats enjoy fun decor, safe places, toys, and visitors.
Discover the Magic of Coffee Cat Cafe in Costa Rica
Costa Rica is known for its lush landscapes, vibrant wildlife, and, of course, its world-renowned coffee. Nestled in the heart of this tropical paradise is a hidden gem for coffee lovers and cat enthusiasts alike – the Coffee Cat Café in Uvita. This unique cafe offers a cozy atmosphere where the love of coffee meets the love of cats, creating a delightful experience that’s hard to find anywhere else. The Coffee Cat Café proudly serves some of the finest Costa Rican coffee while there’s various treats for everyone.
More Than Just a Cafe
While the coffee and menu at Coffee Cat Cafe is certainly a highlight, it’s not the only reason people visit. The cafe is also home to several friendly cats who love nothing more than to curl up on a sunny windowsill or on the lap of a willing guest. For animal lovers, this adds an extra layer of warmth to the already inviting atmosphere. The cats are well cared for and are an integral part of what makes the cafe so special. At Coffee Cat Cafe, proudly serves some of the finest Costa Rican coffee, There’s something on the menu for every palate.
A Cozy, Relaxing Atmosphere for both Cats and Humans
The interior of Coffee Cat Cafe is designed to feel like a home away from home. With comfy seating, soft lighting, and plenty of nooks and crannies to settle into, it’s the perfect place to relax with a good book or catch up with friends. The walls are adorned with local artwork, and the soft hum of conversation mingles with the gentle purring of cats, creating a soothing background soundtrack to your visit. The cats live here, while waiting to find their forever homes, with their indoor boxes, cushions and shelves.
If you love cats but are allergic like me, there’s a nice covered patio area to enjoy outside. It’s purrrfect for painting classes, too!
Costa Rica is known for its lush landscapes, vibrant wildlife, and, of course, its world-renowned coffee. Nestled in the heart of this tropical paradise is a hidden gem for coffee lovers and cat enthusiasts alike – the Coffee Cat Café in Uvita. This unique cafe offers a cozy atmosphere where the love of coffee meets the love of cats, creating a delightful experience that’s hard to find anywhere else. The Coffee Cat Café proudly serves some of the finest Costa Rican coffee while there’s various treats for everyone.
More Than Just a Cafe
While the coffee and menu at Coffee Cat Cafe is certainly a highlight, it’s not the only reason people visit. The cafe is also home to several friendly cats who love nothing more than to curl up on a sunny windowsill or on the lap of a willing guest. For animal lovers, this adds an extra layer of warmth to the already inviting atmosphere. The cats are well cared for and are an integral part of what makes the cafe so special. At Coffee Cat Cafe, proudly serves some of the finest Costa Rican coffee, There’s something on the menu for every palate.
A Cozy, Relaxing Atmosphere for both Cats and Humans
The interior of Coffee Cat Cafe is designed to feel like a home away from home. With comfy seating, soft lighting, and plenty of nooks and crannies to settle into, it’s the perfect place to relax with a good book or catch up with friends. The walls are adorned with local artwork, and the soft hum of conversation mingles with the gentle purring of cats, creating a soothing background soundtrack to your visit. The cats live here, while waiting to find their forever homes, with their indoor boxes, cushions and shelves.
If you love cats but are allergic like me, there’s a nice covered patio area to enjoy outside. It’s purrrfect for painting classes, too!
Allergic to cats? Painting class is held outside where the cat's don't visit. No fur here!
Fun merchandise, including my Goofy Cat paintings, at the Coffee Cat Cafe
Supporting the Community
Coffee Cat Cafe is committed to supporting the local community in Costa Rica. They regularly host events that art events and local holidays. They also collaborate with local animal shelters to promote the adoption of cats and raise awareness about animal welfare. When you visit Coffee Cat Cafe, you’re not just enjoying a great cup of coffee; you’re also contributing to a community that values sustainability, art, and compassion for animals. Their cat themed gifts range from toys to lucky cats for the cat lover and cats in your life. I'm honored to have my own Goofy Cat Paintings hanging out with their real ones! !
Visit Coffee Cat Cafe Today!
Whether you’re a local resident or a traveler passing through Costa Rica, Coffee Cat Cafe is a must-visit destination. Come for the coffee, stay for the cats, and leave with a smile.
Please see their website at coffeecatcr.com for more information on their menu, events, address, and opening hours.
So why wait? Grab your favorite book, bring a friend, book a Café Cocktail Cat Painting Class, and head to Coffee Cat Cafe for a unique experience that blends the best of Costa Rican coffee culture and treats with the joy of spending time with furry friends.
Coffee Cat Cafe is committed to supporting the local community in Costa Rica. They regularly host events that art events and local holidays. They also collaborate with local animal shelters to promote the adoption of cats and raise awareness about animal welfare. When you visit Coffee Cat Cafe, you’re not just enjoying a great cup of coffee; you’re also contributing to a community that values sustainability, art, and compassion for animals. Their cat themed gifts range from toys to lucky cats for the cat lover and cats in your life. I'm honored to have my own Goofy Cat Paintings hanging out with their real ones! !
Visit Coffee Cat Cafe Today!
Whether you’re a local resident or a traveler passing through Costa Rica, Coffee Cat Cafe is a must-visit destination. Come for the coffee, stay for the cats, and leave with a smile.
Please see their website at coffeecatcr.com for more information on their menu, events, address, and opening hours.
So why wait? Grab your favorite book, bring a friend, book a Café Cocktail Cat Painting Class, and head to Coffee Cat Cafe for a unique experience that blends the best of Costa Rican coffee culture and treats with the joy of spending time with furry friends.
These are four samples I did for my Cocktail or Cafe Cat Painting Classes. You can use your own colors and favorite drink!
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Angeline Marie Martinez
Lover of printing, painting, stamping, stenciling and just playing with paint
15 Monkeys Hi-Thinking of High-Jinking, collage and acrylics on 39 by 23 inches canvas by Angeline Marie Martinez
Oh the ways a monkey can look!
You'll have to decide if this is a troop of 15 monkeys...or just one monkey showing up 15 times with different feelings, lol!
Every monkey has its own background. Most of these backgrounds were accidental by my pulling a print or cleaning my palette. They are too interesting to destroy, but too boring alone.
Hey, hey, I thought of (capuchin) monkeys!
Every monkey face is based on a stencil I designed and handout from a photo I took at a local restaurant. The restaurant's trees are often visited by capuchin monkeys, like the ones (or one?) featured here.
Love monkeys? Then you're lucky!
You can adopt these monkeys 15 Monkey Hi-Thinks Monkeys Designs by Angeline Marie Martinez or
Download to paint your own monkey or
Download your own monkey to color or
Schedule a class to paint your monkey with me or
ignore the monkeys and see what else is around my website, lol!
You'll have to decide if this is a troop of 15 monkeys...or just one monkey showing up 15 times with different feelings, lol!
Every monkey has its own background. Most of these backgrounds were accidental by my pulling a print or cleaning my palette. They are too interesting to destroy, but too boring alone.
Hey, hey, I thought of (capuchin) monkeys!
Every monkey face is based on a stencil I designed and handout from a photo I took at a local restaurant. The restaurant's trees are often visited by capuchin monkeys, like the ones (or one?) featured here.
Love monkeys? Then you're lucky!
You can adopt these monkeys 15 Monkey Hi-Thinks Monkeys Designs by Angeline Marie Martinez or
Download to paint your own monkey or
Download your own monkey to color or
Schedule a class to paint your monkey with me or
ignore the monkeys and see what else is around my website, lol!
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Angeline Marie Martinez
painting and sketching drawing artist
Berry container reused
Electrical tape box
Creative Reuse in the Art Studio
Besides rocks, there are many things I reuse and repurpose in my studio. It’s not just because I can be frugal. Some materials are either difficult to find or too expensive when I do find them, so I won’t buy them.
Why I Choose to Repurpose Materials
I prefer to spend on the tools that are most important, like quality paint, canvases, paper, and brushes. However, I enjoy finding new ways to use things. It’s fun and another way to be creative. I get a kick out of using things that would otherwise go in the trash.
The Story Behind "Hormiga Atómica"
The window installers nicknamed me “Hormiga Atómica.” I had to look up this cartoon character. I took every window support foam sticker they had, along with some packaging materials. I love the nickname, lol.
The Thrill of Turning Trash into Treasure
Don’t tell Andy, but the other day I made an extra stop at the bridge that still had truck wreckage. There were pink sheets of stuff I had to investigate. What if it’s rubbery? What if I can use it for making stamps? It was just compacted thick Styrofoam. I can’t use it. Oh well. At least I can stop wondering! Off to the next trash discovery!
Did you know I have an ebook about How to Start Drawing More? Download my free guide on budget-friendly (and expensive) art supplies!
Besides rocks, there are many things I reuse and repurpose in my studio. It’s not just because I can be frugal. Some materials are either difficult to find or too expensive when I do find them, so I won’t buy them.
Why I Choose to Repurpose Materials
I prefer to spend on the tools that are most important, like quality paint, canvases, paper, and brushes. However, I enjoy finding new ways to use things. It’s fun and another way to be creative. I get a kick out of using things that would otherwise go in the trash.
The Story Behind "Hormiga Atómica"
The window installers nicknamed me “Hormiga Atómica.” I had to look up this cartoon character. I took every window support foam sticker they had, along with some packaging materials. I love the nickname, lol.
The Thrill of Turning Trash into Treasure
Don’t tell Andy, but the other day I made an extra stop at the bridge that still had truck wreckage. There were pink sheets of stuff I had to investigate. What if it’s rubbery? What if I can use it for making stamps? It was just compacted thick Styrofoam. I can’t use it. Oh well. At least I can stop wondering! Off to the next trash discovery!
Did you know I have an ebook about How to Start Drawing More? Download my free guide on budget-friendly (and expensive) art supplies!
Paper from box cut down for notes, etc. Free cardstock!
Plastic boxes for stencil materials or shipping rolled paintings
Plastic wrap that's used on my paint palettes
Hotel key cards and old credit cards to make scrappers, paint spreaders, etc
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Angeline Marie Martinez
drawing and painting artist
Catalog photo of a taboret
Front, back, and underneath the nightstands or file cabinets, before making into taborets. Garage sale find.
Upcycling Nightstands into Artistic Taborets in a Small Costa Rican Town
In the heart of a small, picturesque town in Costa Rica, nestled between lush green hills, banana trees, rainforest, and vibrant flora, stood a new home’s guest room with large windows that welcomed streams of natural light. This is Angeline's new art studio, a sanctuary of creativity and inspiration. Angeline, a passionate painter, had transformed the clean space into a colorful haven filled with canvases, paintbrushes, and endless ideas. However, she was missing one crucial element: proper furniture to organize her supplies and provide storage for her growing collection of art materials.
In the heart of a small, picturesque town in Costa Rica, nestled between lush green hills, banana trees, rainforest, and vibrant flora, stood a new home’s guest room with large windows that welcomed streams of natural light. This is Angeline's new art studio, a sanctuary of creativity and inspiration. Angeline, a passionate painter, had transformed the clean space into a colorful haven filled with canvases, paintbrushes, and endless ideas. However, she was missing one crucial element: proper furniture to organize her supplies and provide storage for her growing collection of art materials.
Studio before taborets, right after moving into this guest room now art studio.
Painted top of new taboret, ready for the missing plexiglass paint palette
Discovering Treasures at the Community Yard Sale
One sunny Saturday morning, the town held a rare community yard sale, an event that brought everyone together in the town square to buy, sell, and trade treasures. Angeline decided to go, hoping to find something she could use for her studio. As she wandered through the eclectic mix of items, she stumbled upon a pair of old nightstands. They were sturdy but worn, with chipped wood finish and a missing drawer. An idea sparked in her mind: she could upcycle these nightstands into the taborets she needed!
Transforming Nightstands into Functional Taborets
With excitement, Angeline purchased the nightstands for $15, a fraction of the cost of new taborets, and brought them back to her studio. She envisioning how to transform these humble pieces into functional and fun taborets. Angeline left the wood color alone, except for one nightstand. The top of this one she painted neutral gray to serve as her paint palette. Her husband Andy added caster wheels to the bottom of each nightstand, ensuring they could be moved around the studio with ease. To make them truly functional as taborets, she installed small recycled boxes inside the drawers as dividers, hooked plastic and metal tubs along the sides, and added a plexiglass top to the gray-painted one. Even the one with a missing drawer is being used for maximum storage space, holding rolled stencil material. As she finds stickers, she places these randomly on her easel taboret. The stickers are from refrigerator warnings, food labels, and stickers that she’s given and finds.
One sunny Saturday morning, the town held a rare community yard sale, an event that brought everyone together in the town square to buy, sell, and trade treasures. Angeline decided to go, hoping to find something she could use for her studio. As she wandered through the eclectic mix of items, she stumbled upon a pair of old nightstands. They were sturdy but worn, with chipped wood finish and a missing drawer. An idea sparked in her mind: she could upcycle these nightstands into the taborets she needed!
Transforming Nightstands into Functional Taborets
With excitement, Angeline purchased the nightstands for $15, a fraction of the cost of new taborets, and brought them back to her studio. She envisioning how to transform these humble pieces into functional and fun taborets. Angeline left the wood color alone, except for one nightstand. The top of this one she painted neutral gray to serve as her paint palette. Her husband Andy added caster wheels to the bottom of each nightstand, ensuring they could be moved around the studio with ease. To make them truly functional as taborets, she installed small recycled boxes inside the drawers as dividers, hooked plastic and metal tubs along the sides, and added a plexiglass top to the gray-painted one. Even the one with a missing drawer is being used for maximum storage space, holding rolled stencil material. As she finds stickers, she places these randomly on her easel taboret. The stickers are from refrigerator warnings, food labels, and stickers that she’s given and finds.
The Final Touch: Bringing the Taborets to Life
As time passed, the nightstands transform before her eyes. The once tired and forgotten pieces of furniture are now fun and purposeful, ready to serve a new role in her creative process. Angeline felt a deep sense of satisfaction and pride in her handiwork. Finally, the day came to place the new taborets in the studio. Angeline positioned one next to the easel and the other next to her working table, just as she had imagined. They fit perfectly, both in size and style. The taborets added to the cheerful ambiance of the studio, and the newly installed shelves and drawers provided ample space for all her supplies.
A Studio Filled with Personal Touches and Practicality
Angeline stepped back and surveyed her work. The studio felt complete, infused with a blend of practicality and personal touch. Every time she reached for a brush or mixed a palette of colors, she felt a connection to the effort and creativity she had poured into the project. As Angeline painted, surrounded by her new taborets, she felt a deep sense of contentment, knowing that she had created not only beautiful art but also the perfect space to nurture her artistic dreams, with Andy’s help.
Subscribe for more creative DIY ideas, artist treasures and adventures, and art studio tips!
PS: This blog post was inspired and crafted with the assistance of ChatGPT, an AI language model developed by OpenAI.
4o
PSS: The other titles I loved from ChatGPT was "From Nightstand to Taboret: One Artist's Furniture Fairy Tale" and "Painting with a Purpose: The Tale of Two Nightstands"
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Angeline Marie Martinez
drawing and painting artist
Open Toilet LOVES Toilet Paper: FLUSH IT! Thanks! acrylics on canvas 4x4 inches by Angeline Marie Martinez
What do you do with your used toilet paper? How do you dispose of it?
American Toilet Etiquette: Toss and Flush
In the USA, we wouldn’t even think about this. We just toss the used dirty toilet paper into the toilet and flush. Of course, the trash basket is for other things that shouldn’t be flushed, especially in the ladies’ restrooms. This is automatic behavior to us. No thought given. No fear of toilet pipe retribution and upchucking. Toss and flush, exit stall, wash hands, leave restroom.
Costa Rican Toilet Customs: Basket or Toilet?
In Costa Rica, what to do with your used dirty toilet paper is a question at every public restroom. Most restrooms want you toss your used dirty toilet paper into the trash basket. Most local businesses around Costa Rica have a sign asking to use the basket. The toilet will back up when it has too much toilet paper. You’ll find this basket usually full, bursting through required lid.
Some restrooms won’t have a sign at all. Assume that you use the basket. Toss into the toilet. Most places built in more recent times DO have the pipes to handle dirty toilet paper along with biological issues.
No sign means you’re excused from blame. If they had a sign, you’d do your best to follow it.
Navigating Signage (or Lack Thereof)
At someone’s home, it’s polite to ask. Every home is different. If it’s an older construction, assume that you use the basket. If it’s a newer construction, hmm, ask anyway. I dislike asking at the local businesses and my friends’ homes. Please, a sign would be great!
The Sign That Started It All
The sign that began this little collection of mostly digital works was at a friend’s home. Taped firmly above the toilet paper roll was a sign reading “PLEASE FLUSH YOUR DIRTY TOILET PAPER,” written with a blue ballpoint pen.
I’ve since run with these signs, making a small collection for those who want to basket or toilet.
I even made up these silly signs for all of our guest bathrooms. This avoids a yucky conversation and my later having to deal with taking out disgusting trash.
Surprising Customers: The Little Boys' Impact
So far, my best customers are little boys. LOL. The boys will see my sign from afar and have their parent buy one. The parents look at me, bewildered. I get thrilled they are buying art for their boys!
Available Sign Options for Every Need
Visit my Etsy page for more quirky bathroom décor. You can print at home!
If you’re visiting me in Costa Rica, you can buy a full-page laminated sign, with hanging tape, for $6. I’ll also have some 4-inch by 4-inch hand-painted signs, ready to hang, available for $15. I can ship these, too, if you'd like!
American Toilet Etiquette: Toss and Flush
In the USA, we wouldn’t even think about this. We just toss the used dirty toilet paper into the toilet and flush. Of course, the trash basket is for other things that shouldn’t be flushed, especially in the ladies’ restrooms. This is automatic behavior to us. No thought given. No fear of toilet pipe retribution and upchucking. Toss and flush, exit stall, wash hands, leave restroom.
Costa Rican Toilet Customs: Basket or Toilet?
In Costa Rica, what to do with your used dirty toilet paper is a question at every public restroom. Most restrooms want you toss your used dirty toilet paper into the trash basket. Most local businesses around Costa Rica have a sign asking to use the basket. The toilet will back up when it has too much toilet paper. You’ll find this basket usually full, bursting through required lid.
Some restrooms won’t have a sign at all. Assume that you use the basket. Toss into the toilet. Most places built in more recent times DO have the pipes to handle dirty toilet paper along with biological issues.
No sign means you’re excused from blame. If they had a sign, you’d do your best to follow it.
Navigating Signage (or Lack Thereof)
At someone’s home, it’s polite to ask. Every home is different. If it’s an older construction, assume that you use the basket. If it’s a newer construction, hmm, ask anyway. I dislike asking at the local businesses and my friends’ homes. Please, a sign would be great!
The Sign That Started It All
The sign that began this little collection of mostly digital works was at a friend’s home. Taped firmly above the toilet paper roll was a sign reading “PLEASE FLUSH YOUR DIRTY TOILET PAPER,” written with a blue ballpoint pen.
I’ve since run with these signs, making a small collection for those who want to basket or toilet.
I even made up these silly signs for all of our guest bathrooms. This avoids a yucky conversation and my later having to deal with taking out disgusting trash.
Surprising Customers: The Little Boys' Impact
So far, my best customers are little boys. LOL. The boys will see my sign from afar and have their parent buy one. The parents look at me, bewildered. I get thrilled they are buying art for their boys!
Available Sign Options for Every Need
Visit my Etsy page for more quirky bathroom décor. You can print at home!
If you’re visiting me in Costa Rica, you can buy a full-page laminated sign, with hanging tape, for $6. I’ll also have some 4-inch by 4-inch hand-painted signs, ready to hang, available for $15. I can ship these, too, if you'd like!
Our Septic Tank LOVES Dirty Toilet Paper: FLUSH IT. acrylics on canvas 4x4 inches by Angeline Marie Martinez
- Published on
Four hummingbirds I painted for fun and as samples and guides. Each is 8 by 8 inches, acrylics on paper.
Besides the design, the hummingbird paint your own class will be very different than painting a sloth.
I enjoy helping new artists paint their own sloths. You all help me learn how to be a better painter and a better art teacher, too.
With the hummingbird, you have more options of how to use the stencil.
I’ll show you how to use the stencil and then you decide how to paint your hummingbird.
It’s your painting, done with your colors and your way.
I’m just a guide for your artistry.
I’m excited to learn what you decide to do when you paint your hummingbird.
This hummingbird was done with a combination of options. I did use the stencil, but I also did some freehand painting.
You might want your hummingbird like one of my designs, or you can pick your own colors and design your own hummingbird.
These are only ideas as…
YOU can be the artist when I have the class.
I've decided to bring my Sloth to Uvita at the end of September. The hummingbirds will be waiting in the wings, lol.
In the meantime, if you're on my email list, you already know that I try to post news there, first. If you found this blog post on your own, welcome!
For more information about classes and scheduling of them, please visit my other page Art Classes in Costa Rica
I enjoy helping new artists paint their own sloths. You all help me learn how to be a better painter and a better art teacher, too.
With the hummingbird, you have more options of how to use the stencil.
I’ll show you how to use the stencil and then you decide how to paint your hummingbird.
It’s your painting, done with your colors and your way.
I’m just a guide for your artistry.
I’m excited to learn what you decide to do when you paint your hummingbird.
This hummingbird was done with a combination of options. I did use the stencil, but I also did some freehand painting.
You might want your hummingbird like one of my designs, or you can pick your own colors and design your own hummingbird.
These are only ideas as…
YOU can be the artist when I have the class.
I've decided to bring my Sloth to Uvita at the end of September. The hummingbirds will be waiting in the wings, lol.
In the meantime, if you're on my email list, you already know that I try to post news there, first. If you found this blog post on your own, welcome!
For more information about classes and scheduling of them, please visit my other page Art Classes in Costa Rica
- Published on
Mi Papá and I loved birds.
We cared for a little baby bird for a little while, spending hours gently tossing it back and forth to teach it to fly. Twitty would be let out when I left for school and kept inside at night. Twitty would soar and land on my hand when I’d call him when I got home from school. It was sudden when Twitty stopped answering my calls.
We cared for a little baby bird for a little while, spending hours gently tossing it back and forth to teach it to fly. Twitty would be let out when I left for school and kept inside at night. Twitty would soar and land on my hand when I’d call him when I got home from school. It was sudden when Twitty stopped answering my calls.
Scarlet Rumpled Tanager zoomed in upon from the rental house patio.
Papa told me that Twitty found its parents and told him goodbye from the big oak tree in our yard. I only have Papás story. Soon after, Papa seemed to forget what he told me…and that part of the Twitty´s story was lost to Alzheimer’s.
When Twitty disappeared, mi Papa and I decided to feed the birds daily. Maybe the bird would return as an adult? I was young enough that I have no sense of time between Twitty´s disappearance and the appearance of Pinta Roja…but a red winged blackbird began visiting our yard.
We named this bird Pinta Roja, simply because of the red splash on his wings. Pinta Roja was the only bird who would land within a few feet of us. He would land on the power wire that was right outside our kitchen and Florida room. Pinta Roja would sing until we showed up with bread, just for him. Mi Mama was even trained by Pinta Roja! Mama would laugh when Pinta Roja appeared and feed him when Papa or I weren’t home. She was exasperated that we were trained by a bird, but enjoyed it, too. He was the only red winged blackbird that ever visited.
Again, I have no sense of time, Pinta Roja stopped visiting after a while. We kept feeding the birds until our habit dwindled and Alzheimer’s got worse.
When I hear red winged blackbirds calling…I’m eight years old again, running out to greet my best friend Pinta Roja with bread in hand, and enjoying each other’s company for a few minutes.
Costa Rica has no red winged blackbirds, but there are scarlet rumped tanager sargentos. Their calls and markings are different, but I get the same spark of joy when I see red feathers against black feathers. It’s like Papa sent messengers to tell me he’s ok, and life is good.
When Twitty disappeared, mi Papa and I decided to feed the birds daily. Maybe the bird would return as an adult? I was young enough that I have no sense of time between Twitty´s disappearance and the appearance of Pinta Roja…but a red winged blackbird began visiting our yard.
We named this bird Pinta Roja, simply because of the red splash on his wings. Pinta Roja was the only bird who would land within a few feet of us. He would land on the power wire that was right outside our kitchen and Florida room. Pinta Roja would sing until we showed up with bread, just for him. Mi Mama was even trained by Pinta Roja! Mama would laugh when Pinta Roja appeared and feed him when Papa or I weren’t home. She was exasperated that we were trained by a bird, but enjoyed it, too. He was the only red winged blackbird that ever visited.
Again, I have no sense of time, Pinta Roja stopped visiting after a while. We kept feeding the birds until our habit dwindled and Alzheimer’s got worse.
When I hear red winged blackbirds calling…I’m eight years old again, running out to greet my best friend Pinta Roja with bread in hand, and enjoying each other’s company for a few minutes.
Costa Rica has no red winged blackbirds, but there are scarlet rumped tanager sargentos. Their calls and markings are different, but I get the same spark of joy when I see red feathers against black feathers. It’s like Papa sent messengers to tell me he’s ok, and life is good.
Hummingbird at feeder that’s at the edge of back patio of rental house.
To see one of the few drawings Papa did for me at the time, please visit or click on this sentence.
You can say art runs in the family!
Like what you read? Want more art and artist life in Costa Rica news? Please sign up for my emails at http://eepurl.com/b6G41 or clicking here.
You can say art runs in the family!
Like what you read? Want more art and artist life in Costa Rica news? Please sign up for my emails at http://eepurl.com/b6G41 or clicking here.
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After many years of dreaming and working very hard a day job…Andy and I live in Costa Rica.
We’ve been here 10 months.
We’ve enjoyed Pura Vida and Pura F!cking Vida.
I’m living a daydream of teaching.
I’m living my bigger daydream of being an artist, full time.
Yes. Me. A full time Artist. Teaching.
I’ve always been a helper, a learner, a teacher, a dreamer, an Artist.
I love showing someone how to do something they thought they couldn’t, wouldn’t, or can’t.
I love the spark and smile that shows up on your face when “AHA! I GET IT! WOW! Look at me! I did That!”
I gave my first painting class to a group recently.
I learned a lot.
We had a lot of fun.
A lot of paint was on our hands, but thankfully not on our clothing, lol.
Every single sloth painting is so happily silly and friendly that these students will always be in my heart along with their sloths.
Special thank you to Los Gatos Locos Bar and Restaurant for hosting these Paint Your Own Classes. Everyone enjoyed your margaritas, too!
We’ve been here 10 months.
We’ve enjoyed Pura Vida and Pura F!cking Vida.
I’m living a daydream of teaching.
I’m living my bigger daydream of being an artist, full time.
Yes. Me. A full time Artist. Teaching.
I’ve always been a helper, a learner, a teacher, a dreamer, an Artist.
I love showing someone how to do something they thought they couldn’t, wouldn’t, or can’t.
I love the spark and smile that shows up on your face when “AHA! I GET IT! WOW! Look at me! I did That!”
I gave my first painting class to a group recently.
I learned a lot.
We had a lot of fun.
A lot of paint was on our hands, but thankfully not on our clothing, lol.
Every single sloth painting is so happily silly and friendly that these students will always be in my heart along with their sloths.
Special thank you to Los Gatos Locos Bar and Restaurant for hosting these Paint Your Own Classes. Everyone enjoyed your margaritas, too!
One of the artists snuck a photo of me, lol.
Sloth paintings from left to right: Cuna Verde Sloth, Punk Sloth, Sloth in Flower Tree, Jungle Colors Sloth Hanging On, Sloth with Red Flowers
To see more photos from this class, please visit my website angelinemarie.net
Do you want to spend a few hours of fun painting, without worrying about supplies, etc?
Do you want to join me in a Paint Your Own Class?
I’d love to help you create your own painting with a Costa Rican theme!
For more information, including how to reserve your canvas and seat, please visit my website by clicking here or this sentence.
- Published on
When your watercolor pills turn runny wet
In a few posts before this one, I showed how my watercolor paints melted, some solutions (no puns intended!), and maybe what I’ve found. In the meantime, my sketchbooks are full of just line drawings and little color.
I could wait until our new home is built. When we will have air conditioning on low in my studio. A week indoors with air conditioning and then a few hours daily outside with me and all will be ok.
I asked other artists in my Make Big Art Community and Kathy Whitehorn offered that I try Golden’s Qor Watercolor paints. I bought some in February and been using them since.
What I like about Qor paint is that the binder seems to be synthetic. I don’t have to keep my paint in a Ziploc bag because it has no honey to attract ants. I tossed this paint kit in my purse and it’s been ok: no mess. I have to get used to the paint…it’s different colors, consistency, saturation, and feelings than my other kits. Yes, watercolors and any paints have a feeling, the way they apply to the paper…lol, to me.
Next up is rainy season. Humidity ramps up about 10%...and every fabric from chair cushion to hung up clean tank top will feel damp no matter if inside or outside of the house. This will be the biggest test of my Qor watercolor paints. I filled up all the pans since I took this photo.
I think the paint will be just fine. I’ll check in with an update later this year, probably with a sketchbook page, lol! My sketchbook gets color, again!
I could wait until our new home is built. When we will have air conditioning on low in my studio. A week indoors with air conditioning and then a few hours daily outside with me and all will be ok.
I asked other artists in my Make Big Art Community and Kathy Whitehorn offered that I try Golden’s Qor Watercolor paints. I bought some in February and been using them since.
What I like about Qor paint is that the binder seems to be synthetic. I don’t have to keep my paint in a Ziploc bag because it has no honey to attract ants. I tossed this paint kit in my purse and it’s been ok: no mess. I have to get used to the paint…it’s different colors, consistency, saturation, and feelings than my other kits. Yes, watercolors and any paints have a feeling, the way they apply to the paper…lol, to me.
Next up is rainy season. Humidity ramps up about 10%...and every fabric from chair cushion to hung up clean tank top will feel damp no matter if inside or outside of the house. This will be the biggest test of my Qor watercolor paints. I filled up all the pans since I took this photo.
I think the paint will be just fine. I’ll check in with an update later this year, probably with a sketchbook page, lol! My sketchbook gets color, again!
Making my newest watercolor kit. Maybe this one will work and let me add color while away from home?
If you missed the previous posts about my melting watercolors, you can find them here:
Melting Watercolors Paint Make Them Stay Home
How to Fix Melting Watercolors Paint.
Melting Watercolors Paint Make Them Stay Home
How to Fix Melting Watercolors Paint.
