August, 07 2009, Art Walk, Art Exhibit, A journey of self-discovery, By Hannah Jarmain, Photography exhibition, Sharing passion for photography, By Krishna Villena

The Fábrica La Aurora Art Walk is 5–7pm on the first Friday of each month and this Friday is no exception. The Art Walk is on! The White Party last Saturday was a huge success.

Music and tequila flowed through the galleries and corridors and art was sold. We expect this week’s Art Walk to be equally successful.

All the galleries plan to be open, and as an added attraction, the Galería Manuel Chacón hosts a new exhibition of paintings by the Oaxaca artist Sergio Hernández along with paintings by San Miguel’s Margarette Dawit.

Art Exhibit
Premier exhibit
Hannah Jarmain
Through August 31
MERO Gallery
Zacateros 24

A journey of self-discovery
By Hannah Jarmain

The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.—Chinese proverb

I decided to stop in San Miguel de Allende on a whim in November 2006, as I was coming from a yoga retreat in Aguascalientes. It was probably the best impulsive decision I have made. I loved San Miguel immediately! In 20 years of working in international business and traveling extensively, I had never seen any place on earth like this before.

In the early spring of 2007, I decided to move to San Miguel. Arriving from the cold snowy winter of Toronto, I was warmly welcomed by a forest of Jacaranda trees in full bloom all over the town. A Jacaranda tree takes 34 years of growth before it first blooms, so I was well aware of my good fortune to be in a town filled with centuries-old Jacaranda trees. Every year for decades they faithfully deliver their parachutes of purplish blue flowers to mark the coming of spring. They inspired my first landscape painting of San Miguel, “Jacaranda in Bloom.”

I frequently have lengthy transatlantic telephone conversations with my uncle, the artist and poet Pham Tang, who has seen it all and made it to the top of his profession in Europe. In one of those exchanges, after reading one of his latest poems to me, he told me that I should never follow the beaten track, but make a fresh start in this journey on my own.

However, if I did consider following in the footsteps of any one artist, I would choose Vincent Van Gogh as my guide through this journey in search of myself. I think he would have found much inspiration in San Miguel, as I have. The vibrant colors, architecture and people have inspired me to create over 65 paintings in a period of three years. I have held three shows in Canada, as well as my premier exhibit this summer at MERO Gallery.

I learn a lot from the feedback I receive on my art. Every perspective is obviously different, as art appreciation is highly subjective. It has been interesting to note that many of my fellow naturalists often relate to the poetry in my nature paintings. My abstract paintings are favorites for many viewers, regardless of age or gender. My landscape paintings make an impression particularly on tourists.

I have sold many of my paintings to homes in San Miguel and Mexico City. Several of my works went abroad to Germany, Belgium, Australia, Dubai, and also to families in Texas, North Carolina, Boston, California and Hawaii.

Only now I can truly understand the meaning of my work, appreciating all my wonderful customers and friends whose support has meant the world to me during my premier exhibit. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to see through your eyes.

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Photography exhibition
Meditaciones pictóricas
Fri, Aug 8, 7pm
Flor Acosta/Atelier
Tata Nacho 8, (corner Rosa Ma.),
Col. Guadalupe
154-5953

Sharing passion for photography
By Krishna Villena

Flor Acosta is celebrating the second anniversary of her Atelier with Meditaciones Pictóricas, a collection of her own photography. This work projects her spiritual and emotional fullness as an artist.

Behind Flor, the artist, is a prolific and demanding photography teacher as well, showing her great vitality and energy that allows her to keep pushing the limits. Flor is committed to her creativity and to society; she is aware that sharing her knowledge clears the path to transcendence

Undoubtedly her students remember her well. She says, “Each one is special; it is gratifying to know that through photography they have developed their potential.” She has established a method of teaching that she adapts to each person’s capacities and abilities, offering individuals a unique learning experience through her different photography workshops.

In September, Flor has three exhibitions planned with the work of three of her students—two in the Querétaro Museum of Art and one in her Atelier. “The objective goes beyond the idea of egocentric emotion in only one space. I want to support the development of new promises for photography—whether for my students or not—what matters is that they have interesting work to show.” Sharing her knowledge with passion is a form of love for what she does and for the people who are eager to learn. In whichever direction it goes, she says, “Photography implies a compromise on two parts, because when you make photography you are stealing pieces of reality, and at the same time your reality is projected in that piece, which is why you find so much spirituality in photography.”

Flor never stops; she continues tracing her path, sharing her knowledge, and above all demonstrating her passion for photography. She visualizes herself in San Miguel. It is her base, and she takes a piece of it with her wherever she may go.