Cuban Cars & Indiana Spring

"Cuban East German Side-car"  11" x 14", oil

As the 1950's and 60's cars are so pervasive in Cuba, I thought I should at least paint a couple before I ended my Cuban Series.  This East German side-car was just parked on a street full of groceries (as in Europe, side-cars double as a poor man's back seat of a sedan).  Then, I wanted to paint a scene with a 1952 Chevy that I just loved.  We were waiting for part of our group of painters to tour the cigar factory, so I wandered and found this side street with a great composition and a wonderful old car.  The sliding factory door added an abstract element to the texture of decay that pervaded the side street. 

 "Havana Side Street", 14" x 18", oil

I also entered "The Cuban Lady" in the INDIANA NOW juried exhibition which will be on display all summer at the Art Museum of Greater Lafayette Lafayette, IN.  See Events on my web site for the hours and location of the museum.   www.kathrynclarkfineart.com   At the Opening, I was very pleased to receive an Honorable Mention Award from over 600 entries. 

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Every April, I participate in The First Brush of Spring paint-out in New Harmony, IN which is sponsored by the IN Plein Air Painters Assoc. and the Hoosier Salon Galleries.  In the center of this, tiny, magical, 19th century town is Sara's Cafe.  This year, because my husband plays banjo and likes to jam with others, we (rather he) gravitated to the side of Sara's Cafe under a large porch (in case of rain).  Although I normally paint standing, I decided to get really comfortable and sit.  And boy! was I glad I did because the reflections of the sky and the buildings across the street in Sara's front doors were such fun to paint!  Of course another added benefit was the fancy coffees and sandwiches, with a Wine Bar next door to celebrate a finished painting!

Now the summer is just beginning with planned trips to the beaches at the Inland Ocean of Lake Michigan and the Pacific Ocean in Oregon.   How I do love to paint water....   

Thank you for your interest and please pass this blog on to your car loving friends.

--Kathryn