The Market Scene is SOLD!

The market scene from Riobamba has probably been the most popular work I've done. Even when I was trying to show people other work which I was proud of, people always went back to that one.

It took about a year to complete, with long periods of "resting"; in fact on more than one occasion I had decided to abandon it all together, but it seems to have paid off.

I have been considering painting new, smaller canvases based on details of the same scene, so if you're interested, let me know.

Cheers!

Gremlins

I have received a couple of comments recently which I have not been able to read. When I try to access them I get sirens and flashing windows instead, warning me of possible viruses.

(Sorry Grogal and Dumuro!)

If you would like to let me know what you think of my work try sending me an e-mail instead (found in the profile section), and - if you like - I can try entering them as comments myself.



Thanks for your interest, and all the positive comments I've had so far!

Stephan

London: A Sunday Morning in Winter

This is my first London painting. It measures only 8" x 6", and is painted on linen canvas.

I am currently re-discovering this city; reading about its history, and exploring new areas. It's all research for my next series of paintings. I have yet to determine which aspect of London I want to examine first - the choice is almost infinite - but I hope that in each painting I will be able to capture some of its character.

I also have to consider the style of painting I use. This painting is quite tight and detailed, but I think a looser approach may be better to express the speed, energy, and vitality of London life.

Asking price: £275

Ghosts and Empanadas

Ghosts and Empanadas is painted in oils on linen canvas, and measures 24" x 60".

This was a scene I saw from the roof-top of a train as we were passing through Guamote, on our way to El Niez del Diablo (the Devil's Nose). My previous picture, "On My Mother's Back", was a study for this.


As street vendors busied themselves selling souvenirs, food and drink to the happy gringos, this couple - a poor indigenous boy on his young mother's back - wandered silently and mournfully through like ghosts, occasionally stopping with an outstretched hand in the hope of a little charity. It was a reminder of the grim reality that lay behind all the colourful trinkets and picture postcards spread before us.




This is the last of the Ecuador paintings, and for that reason I would like to dedicate it to my great friend, Eduardo, who first inspired my love for Latin America, and who has always been a source of support and encouragement over the years. Gracias, Mop!

Despite a recent trip to Chile and Colombia, I have decided that I must now find inspiration closer to home. Living so far away from South America means I do not have the necessary access to material I can paint and, as an outsider who has never lived there, I am worried that I am not in a position to comment too much about it anyway. Paint what you know. Consequently - and inspired by another very great friend of mine, Nico - London, my home, will be next subject.

Asking Price: £1,750

En la Espalda de mi Madre - On my Mother's Back

This this my latest work. It's a small painting (6" x 8") of a very young boy who's riding on his mother's back in Guamote, Ecuador.

It's a study for a much larger canvas that I have been thinking of doing, which would include the full-length figure of his Indian mother, as well as that of an empanada seller.

Describing it to a friend I explained that in it I wanted to express the ideas, " of vulnerability, support, love, and hope."

Asking price: £75

The Market Scene

Oil on linen canvas, 36" x 36"

Asking price: SOLD!

(Click on image for a closer look)

Hola!

It's been a while, I know, but I have not been inactive.

Rather than being a way of advertising my work this blog seems to have become a way for my friends and family to keep tabs on me, so more than anything else this post is to let you all know that I'm alive and well!

This is a little painting (6" x 8") showing a small mexican idol (probably made in the 1920's) which I recently bought from an antiques stall in Angel Islington. The idol also doubles up as a musical instrument (there's a hole to blow into at the top of the head-dress; the holes on the side are for the fingers).

I have also started working on a still-life, but it's fairly complicated, so it's taking its sweet time getting finished. Hopefully it won't be too long before I'll post a picture of the finished article.

I have turned my back on the market scene that I was working on. I think it's a lost cause, but I have been encouraged to finish it. Perhaps I will one day, but right now I wince to look at it.

In other news my sister-in-law, Leigh, has recenly completed a mural I designed for my nephew's bedroom. They live in France, so I couldn't paint it myself, but Leigh was obviously able to do very well without me. I drew the design full-scale, and sent the tracings.

Could this be the start of another career for me? Who knows.

Till next time,

Stephan

Asking price: £150