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Paper menus and the top of receipt from Versailles Restaurant...just because I don’t have my own photos of the real place, lol.
I originally posted this May, 2011. Most of this still holds true. I’m reposting here because it was one of my most popular blog posts. Andy and I recommend Versailles Restaurant to everyone. I never did the bike rentals at Versailles, France. If you have the chance to take any organized workshop by Cynthia Morris, do it. Her online courses are good, too. I was in Paris, France for four weeks. I was always entertained, sketched everywhere, loved it, soaked up design. I went to bed so drunk on art that my mind spinned all night long. It was a wonderful time. I returned home because of Andy and my mom...because I wanted to figure out a way to stay longer. Without further ado, here’s the original post:
My life in Miami, Florida already includes a Versailles. It is not the palace in Paris, France, but THE Cuban food (palace?) restaurant in town. When Mama and I want a good meal that is bueno, bonito, y barato (good, pretty, and cheap), we visit Versailles. We know we are going to enjoy comfort and an interestingly diverse crowd of people.
The real Versailles in France has been visited much more than the restaurant, but not by me. The first visit was in 1987 and the second was 1992. Am now learning that what tourists see of Versailles is but a small fraction of delights to see and experience.
Just another reason to spend FOUR weeks in Paris, France: to be at Versailles for an entire day of exploration that tourists do not get. A day of drawing, walking, and collecting patterns off the palace's wallpaper walls! Here's the quick list of what I learned:
1. There are cafes on the grounds for rest and food.
2. Tickets can be bought outside of Versailles so you can save yourself a very long line to get one.
3. Bike rentals are available to view the gardens.
4. The garden's water fountains have shows during the summer, through September and October.
5. The website for Versailles if chock full of goodies or buy a book upon arrival for a self guided tour.
How did I learn these things about Versailles? Cynthia Morris of the Curious Excursion spent a bit of time putting together a guide for those of joining her adventure. When that much effort is made, I pay attention. One of Cynthia's tidbits was of her friend Heather's Secrets of Paris website. Super site, and got the freebie guide on Versailles that helped with this Fridays in France post.
2021 PS: If you’d like to meet for lunch or dinner at Versailles Restaurant, message me! Email me! Let’s see if we can!
My life in Miami, Florida already includes a Versailles. It is not the palace in Paris, France, but THE Cuban food (palace?) restaurant in town. When Mama and I want a good meal that is bueno, bonito, y barato (good, pretty, and cheap), we visit Versailles. We know we are going to enjoy comfort and an interestingly diverse crowd of people.
The real Versailles in France has been visited much more than the restaurant, but not by me. The first visit was in 1987 and the second was 1992. Am now learning that what tourists see of Versailles is but a small fraction of delights to see and experience.
Just another reason to spend FOUR weeks in Paris, France: to be at Versailles for an entire day of exploration that tourists do not get. A day of drawing, walking, and collecting patterns off the palace's wallpaper walls! Here's the quick list of what I learned:
1. There are cafes on the grounds for rest and food.
2. Tickets can be bought outside of Versailles so you can save yourself a very long line to get one.
3. Bike rentals are available to view the gardens.
4. The garden's water fountains have shows during the summer, through September and October.
5. The website for Versailles if chock full of goodies or buy a book upon arrival for a self guided tour.
How did I learn these things about Versailles? Cynthia Morris of the Curious Excursion spent a bit of time putting together a guide for those of joining her adventure. When that much effort is made, I pay attention. One of Cynthia's tidbits was of her friend Heather's Secrets of Paris website. Super site, and got the freebie guide on Versailles that helped with this Fridays in France post.
2021 PS: If you’d like to meet for lunch or dinner at Versailles Restaurant, message me! Email me! Let’s see if we can!
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Originally published at the end of 2013, this is one of my most popular blog posts. Simon passed away on August 22, 2019. We really miss him. He’s survived by Ghost and Tuxie, our yard cats. Blogger doesn’t tell me why a post is popular...just that it is by the counts of eyeballs to it. I’d like to think it’s the cat gods saying Simon is happily waiting for us in heaven.
It’s also been a while since I blue taped off a set of cards the way I did this piece, Cats Meow. I just began a new set from a big sheet of paper by folding the paper instead of taping and cutting. I’ll cut these out as I finish each. They won’t have a border like Cats Meow. The paper I used to love is no longer manufactured and the price of similar paper multiplied by
It’s also been a while since I blue taped off a set of cards the way I did this piece, Cats Meow. I just began a new set from a big sheet of paper by folding the paper instead of taping and cutting. I’ll cut these out as I finish each. They won’t have a border like Cats Meow. The paper I used to love is no longer manufactured and the price of similar paper multiplied by
Cats Meow, ~4 x 6 inches, mixed media on paper, copyright 2013 by Angeline Marie
Remember those little paintings all lined up in a grid row? The ones I use up extra paint instead of wasting paint?
Cats Meow has paint, ink, and stencil experimentation. Simon, my studio sentinel, is often in my studio. Well, Simon insisted on appearing in this little card. Just like Simon insists I stop painting, sit on the floor, and give him love. Spoiled little cat...but I love him.
If you are wondering about the missing white border on the left side...yep. Lesson learned from sheet one was to make sure I have blue tape along all sides of the paper before adding blue tape to the center. It will still frame out quite nicely. It's my attempt to include a mat with the little painting.
If you love Cats Meow, it is available for $28 unframed and $48 mounted on canvas. Shipping is included in both prices. There is only one of Cats Meow because there are too many textures in it to look good in reproductions of any kind. It is currently unavailable on my website, but you may email me at angeline@ angelinemarie.net for it.
Cats Meow has paint, ink, and stencil experimentation. Simon, my studio sentinel, is often in my studio. Well, Simon insisted on appearing in this little card. Just like Simon insists I stop painting, sit on the floor, and give him love. Spoiled little cat...but I love him.
If you are wondering about the missing white border on the left side...yep. Lesson learned from sheet one was to make sure I have blue tape along all sides of the paper before adding blue tape to the center. It will still frame out quite nicely. It's my attempt to include a mat with the little painting.
If you love Cats Meow, it is available for $28 unframed and $48 mounted on canvas. Shipping is included in both prices. There is only one of Cats Meow because there are too many textures in it to look good in reproductions of any kind. It is currently unavailable on my website, but you may email me at angeline@ angelinemarie.net for it.
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Turtles, stenciled on Tommy Copper face mask, acrylic paints, NFS by Angeline Marie Martinez, July, 2020. If you really want some stenciled face masks, please contact me at angeline @ angelinemarie.net and we can do some!
https://www.cnet.com/news/rare-yellow-turtle-spotted-for-only-second-time-looks-like-melted-cheese/
When I added the turtles to my mask, I thought “huh, wonder if gold and yellow is alright for turtles? I’m overthinking this because I love turtles, gold and yellow looks cool, and this project is Not worth more time as it looks fun already.”
Then this article came out about a rare yellow turtle found, of course, in 2020.
Whenever I wear this mask now, I giggle. I “day job” with very non-design, not-artist folks who probably look at my mask and overthink it like I did. But here I am overthinking again, because no one at my job even cares, lol!
What’s your favorite animal and colors? If you had your favorite animal in your favorite colors, would your animal be considered real or imaginary?
Hey, it’s for a face mask, so we can do whatever we want! Let me know if you’d like to send me some masks to stencil for you!
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He Brought Her Flowers, 6 by 4 inches, acrylics on paper, $28 by Angeline MarieMartinez. You can add it to your home by emailing me angeline @ angelinemarie.net
This is a super freaky cool video about Disney animatronics!!
https://www.cnn.com/videos/business/2020/11/02/disney-lifelike-robot-no-skin-orig.cnn-business
Disney, Disney, Disney.
When I think of design, logistics, story, I think Disney.
I totally love love love Disney. I could be one of those Disney super fans...but I do my best to let go of stuff instead of collecting more, lol.
Most rides at Disney have what Walter Disney called “animatronics.” These are robots that are used as actors throughout the parks. A great example of these animatronics are the presidents and the pirates. These animatronics have been used for decades...wonder what will happen with these besides updating and making more exhibits and shows?
The painting here is the closest to an animatronic as I can get in my painting collections, lol. I actually have the wooden mannequin as well as a plaster lady’s face and the flowers.
What’s your guess of how animatronics may be used in the future?
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2021 Update:
This was originally published 2013.
Since then, most painting manufacturing companies are producing paints without cadmium. Cadmium can be poisonous when ingested or absorbed by skin...and this can be a very slow, long time. Now, I don’t stick paintbrushes in my mouth. I don’t fingerpaint very often. It really makes me wonder if people eat paint that the manufacturers have to remake a paint formula that’s worked for hundreds of years. The next question about the new paints is how archival are they? Until my tubes are used up, I’ll use up the few cadmium paints in my studio. I’m not going to eat them!
As for the price of a tube now, I don’t know. I can tell from the color name that this particular red has “hue”...which means it’s not an “original” formula and is considered less expensive than cadmium (at least in 2014!).
This was originally published 2013.
Since then, most painting manufacturing companies are producing paints without cadmium. Cadmium can be poisonous when ingested or absorbed by skin...and this can be a very slow, long time. Now, I don’t stick paintbrushes in my mouth. I don’t fingerpaint very often. It really makes me wonder if people eat paint that the manufacturers have to remake a paint formula that’s worked for hundreds of years. The next question about the new paints is how archival are they? Until my tubes are used up, I’ll use up the few cadmium paints in my studio. I’m not going to eat them!
As for the price of a tube now, I don’t know. I can tell from the color name that this particular red has “hue”...which means it’s not an “original” formula and is considered less expensive than cadmium (at least in 2014!).
Hot Summer Palm Trees, 8x8 inches, acrylics on canvas board ©2013 Angeline Marie
It is hot. It's humid. The palm trees are dripping with rain drops. The sun comes out and sizzles the water off the fronds. It is hot. Hot orange, hot blues, some greens is how it feels in Florida most of the time.
Hot Summer Palm Trees began as a palette. A tube of cadmium orange hue paint costs about $26...so most of my leftover paint is incorporated into the backgrounds of new paintings. That is how most of the layers of paint evolved to this design.
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2021 Update:
This painting, Reds Cubist Palm Trees, remains as one of my favorites.
I have no idea why this blog post is one of my most popular from 2014, but, it is. Maybe it’s the review of the podcast Artists Helping Artists that sadly has paused for the time being? Maybe it’s the title of this painting? Who knows? Here’s the original blog post:
This painting, Reds Cubist Palm Trees, remains as one of my favorites.
I have no idea why this blog post is one of my most popular from 2014, but, it is. Maybe it’s the review of the podcast Artists Helping Artists that sadly has paused for the time being? Maybe it’s the title of this painting? Who knows? Here’s the original blog post:
Reds Cubist Palm Trees, 14 x 11 inches, mixed media on canvas panel, ©2014 Angeline Marie $200
My last blog post about this painting was showing it in progress. Since it is now finished...lol...it is again being shared.
This week I remain on day shift at my day job. The podcast Artists Helping Artists had another excellent radio show recently, entitled Artists with Day Jobs: Working Full Time and Having an Art Career. YEP! That's me! I totally identify!!!!! If you're curious about that topic and why I identify so much, hop over and listen. The show is well crafted to make you feel like you are listening to friends in the middle of your own home. I invite myself over to the show all the time, lol.
Speaking of working full time...my schedule is going to shift to peaks. For the next five weeks my job is taking most of my time, however, I WILL
1. continue to paint daily, even if for 15 minutes or to set up my next project, etc.
2. work out minimum of 30 minutes daily
3. enjoy every Saturday off shared with my wonderful Husband Andy by allowing myself to skip #1 and #2.
In the meantime, did you remember that I have a 52 Paintings in 52 Weeks Challenge going on? Yeah, I forgot, too...except to keep track of how many completed paintings I have. So...next post will be a recap of all my 2014 paintings.
If you like Reds Cubist Palm Trees, it is available on my website.
If you would like to see more paintings online, please visit my website.
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I am walking to my painting studio daily to get relief. My painting studio is gratefully at home. It is a space where only music and painting thoughts are allowed. Serious conversations are ushered to a different area of our home.
To help you have some relief, allow me to remind you that June is Adopt a Shelter Cat Month. I've many fun quirky cat paintings to adopt. I love to joke that my cat paintings NEVER need kitty litter changes, shopping trips for food, or vet visits. My cat paintings only want you to enjoy them. So here are the latest kitties in my shop!
Most of my cat paintings are 6 by 6 inches, acrylic paintings. Some are ready to hang, some are only on paper.
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NOTE: This review was originally published in 2010. Photos were used with permission from Magnan Metz Gallery. Documentation of permission is available upon request.
This article is being republished on May 9th, which is the anniversary of Raul’s “el malo’s” death. Why? To remember Raul’s older brother, the older brother who only wanted the best and tried his best for his siblings before he was forced to escape Cuba.
This is a review of the exhibit Raul Martinez Eagerly Awaiting that was held July 22 through August 20, 2010 at the Magnan Metz Gallery in New York City’s Chelsea District. The opinions and views of this review belong to Angeline and solely express her opinions.
When you walk into the Magnan Metz Gallery, you are greeted a large open space and a friendly reception. A large open window lets natural light into the gallery. The art, as it should be, is the major focus of the gallery. At this time, the exhibit was Raul Martinez Eagerly Awaiting.
1970s
This article is being republished on May 9th, which is the anniversary of Raul’s “el malo’s” death. Why? To remember Raul’s older brother, the older brother who only wanted the best and tried his best for his siblings before he was forced to escape Cuba.
This is a review of the exhibit Raul Martinez Eagerly Awaiting that was held July 22 through August 20, 2010 at the Magnan Metz Gallery in New York City’s Chelsea District. The opinions and views of this review belong to Angeline and solely express her opinions.
When you walk into the Magnan Metz Gallery, you are greeted a large open space and a friendly reception. A large open window lets natural light into the gallery. The art, as it should be, is the major focus of the gallery. At this time, the exhibit was Raul Martinez Eagerly Awaiting.
1970s
1970s
The first art works by Raul Martinez that are seen inside the gallery were created in the 1970s. Cuba was entering its second decade under the communist regime. The colors are bright, strong, and solid. Each drawing is outlined in black on paperboard and then painted in with no shadows. The works of art are beautifully framed in modern clean black frames. The theme of the exhibit is Cuba: its leaders, people, perception of world events, and “social themes.” The art is strongly influenced by pop art as seen through the use of repetition.
1980s
1980s
1980s
Romeo y Julieta is the art work seen from the street when looking into the gallery. It is a darker piece than Raul Martinez’s pop art style from the 1970s, with darker secondary colors of oranges. It makes a seamless transition to the themes Raul Martinez is known for: Jose Marti and Che Guevara. Both I Have Seen with Jose Marti and Che have a darker feel than Raul’s previous art. Che is dated 1985, while I Have Seen remains undated. The creation dates may be similar because of the use of black lines and areas, reds, block-style shadowed facial features, and the designs around each of the figures. They are still a style of pop art, but more serious than the art from the 1970s.
The next division of the gallery occurs along the same wall that has the pop art from the 1970s. Raul Martinez’s charcoal on canvas Hambriento Espero (Eagerly Awaiting) and abstract painting Hay Que Saber (We Have to Know) transition the exhibit from the pop art style to the more abstract and collage pieces found in the next formal section of the gallery. There are abstract paintings from the 1960s and the 1990s followed by collages from the 1990s. The 1960s abstracts are full of textures and subtle shapes. The 1990s abstracts paintings are full of reds, blues, oranges, yellows, blacks and lines, squiggles, and bursts of energy. The collages consist of pastels, transparency sheets, torn pages, transfers, photos, paint, and other items. Upon exiting this section, one realizes there are photographs by Raul Martinez in the office area.
Hambriento Espero is the black and white canvas.
1990s ©Art copyright Raul Martinez, Cuba ©Exhibit photos, Magnan Metz Gallery
The photographs by Raul Martinez seem disconnected to the rest of the exhibit. The photographs can be dismissed at first because they do not seem to belong to the rest of the exhibit because of where they were displayed in the gallery. The first set is behind the reception desk: three photographs with painted designs and one large black and white photograph. The most striking photograph is the one unpainted, of a boy staring into the camera titled You (Ustedes). This is also the only photograph with a date at all, of 1960. The second set of photographs is found in the office area, past a 1960s abstract painting. These photographs commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Cuban Revolution in which Raul Martinez highlighted the Cuban flag with color on otherwise black and white prints.
Because there were no labels, posters, etc., a small binder with thumbnail images and data was made available at the reception desk. Some title translations seemed clumsy, for example, the direct translation of Hambiento Espero is better as Hungrily Waiting. Admittedly, the translation of Eagerly Awaiting makes for a better exhibit title.
Without some background in Cuban history and actual experience of the communist regime, most of Raul Martinez’s paintings seem without focus. However, the flow of the exhibit Raul Martinez Hambriento Espero matches the light and space of the gallery: easy to navigate and delicately guided. Most visitors left Magnan Metz Gallery with the impression of Raul Martinez as a Cuban artist who created mostly pop art during this Cuban Revolution. Special thanks to Magnan Metz Gallery bridging the cultures as President Obama slowly opens relations with Cuba.
For a recent article concerning President Obama and Cuba, please visit the following sites:
"US-Cuba Relations in Positive Phase:'' Google Hosted News (AFP), September 8,2010
Foreign Policy: Obama's III-Timed Cuba Move, August 27,2010
"Cuba Libre? Hold Off Booking that Ticket for Now,'' National Public Radio, August 19,2010
For links about artist Raul Martinez, please visit the following the sites:
Museum of New Mexico
Art Experts Website
Pan American Art
If you made it until here, what do you think about my attempt at an exhibit review? If you followed the links, what do you think Raul Martinez really means in some of his paintings?
2021 UPDATE:
How many things have changed for me in ten years, concerning Raul Martinez. I don’t feel much of a connection to this artist anymore...for many personal reasons. If I ever stumble upon a work by Raul Martinez, I’ll be interested in learning more about it. But, I don’t believe I’ll travel so far to see any exhibit of his paintings ever again. It’s almost like visiting Cuba: can’t miss where I’ve Never been...can’t miss who I’ve Never met. I really have no reason to seek more Raul Martinez, and don’t really have a reason to visit Cuba anymore, too. I’m moving on….
Because there were no labels, posters, etc., a small binder with thumbnail images and data was made available at the reception desk. Some title translations seemed clumsy, for example, the direct translation of Hambiento Espero is better as Hungrily Waiting. Admittedly, the translation of Eagerly Awaiting makes for a better exhibit title.
Without some background in Cuban history and actual experience of the communist regime, most of Raul Martinez’s paintings seem without focus. However, the flow of the exhibit Raul Martinez Hambriento Espero matches the light and space of the gallery: easy to navigate and delicately guided. Most visitors left Magnan Metz Gallery with the impression of Raul Martinez as a Cuban artist who created mostly pop art during this Cuban Revolution. Special thanks to Magnan Metz Gallery bridging the cultures as President Obama slowly opens relations with Cuba.
For a recent article concerning President Obama and Cuba, please visit the following sites:
"US-Cuba Relations in Positive Phase:'' Google Hosted News (AFP), September 8,2010
Foreign Policy: Obama's III-Timed Cuba Move, August 27,2010
"Cuba Libre? Hold Off Booking that Ticket for Now,'' National Public Radio, August 19,2010
For links about artist Raul Martinez, please visit the following the sites:
Museum of New Mexico
Art Experts Website
Pan American Art
If you made it until here, what do you think about my attempt at an exhibit review? If you followed the links, what do you think Raul Martinez really means in some of his paintings?
2021 UPDATE:
How many things have changed for me in ten years, concerning Raul Martinez. I don’t feel much of a connection to this artist anymore...for many personal reasons. If I ever stumble upon a work by Raul Martinez, I’ll be interested in learning more about it. But, I don’t believe I’ll travel so far to see any exhibit of his paintings ever again. It’s almost like visiting Cuba: can’t miss where I’ve Never been...can’t miss who I’ve Never met. I really have no reason to seek more Raul Martinez, and don’t really have a reason to visit Cuba anymore, too. I’m moving on….
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My palette of acrylic paints for a dog and a cat painting.
Most artists will advise you to organize your colors around your palette. I’ve tried. I just make a huge mess.
Why bother?
I lay out my colors as I need them. I keep the paints fresh between time blocks with sprayed water and plastic.
Can you tell which colors are used the most during this painting time? Your hint is to look at the size of the colors, lol.
View of my taboret that includes water, paint containers, brushes, and spray bottle full of water.
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Fire and Damage," 2010, encaustic techniques on board, ~8 x 8 inches. $105 Art inspired by photos of the Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill Crisis.
Originally published May 12th, 2010.
Writing in an earlier blog post about how strict nuclear power is because of past human error events, I have since learned how the Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill may affect nuclear power plants. Because some nuclear plants use existing and natural water systems as cooling systems, this oil spill may threaten the canal and wetlands that help nuclear power plants run (specifically thinking of those in Florida, Louisiana, etc.). The existing water intake designs are not made to handle crude oil intruding into them. More water cleaning to do because of the Gulf of Mexico oil spill.
If you followed the Senate hearings yesterday [May 11th, 2010], the gist was to improve standards of the oil rigs, industry etc. The added regulation would help the oil industry prevent and detect more often than correct (to loosely borrow a work line)!!! Maybe the governing entities would force preventive equipment maintenance!
Interesting link: Another player in the clean up is the Loggerhead Marinelife Center. Visit the Center's Web site at www.marinelife.org.
Update for 2021:
I’ve no idea if the standards for oil rigs and industry have improved for the environment, but I do believe there’s been oil leaks since this one happened.
This is the last of the Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill series of blog posts I’m updating and resharing. I chose the three blog posts because they had really high views. There are more paintings in the collection, as well as more blog posts over in my old Blogger, if you’re interested.
