Mexico City Part 1

Our retreat started at the Red Tree House in Mexico City. The room above is from the "branch" across the street from the main cluster of rooms where several of us stayed while the rest stayed in the main building.

This was our lovely and safe neighborhood; Condesa. Kathie Vezzani was our incredible guide (on the right). Katie Kendrick is on the left. Not shown is our co-host and chef extraordinaire, Ana Elena Martinez.

I cannot recommend the Red Tree House highly enough. The most accommodating hosts. Ever.

The rooms are filled with original art.

The breakfasts were divine.

Kathie, Katie and I started right out getting our fill of Frida's paintings.

This at the Museum of Modern Art in Chapultepec Park.

Katie had made each one of us a beautiful soft doll. OMG!

We had 4 1/2 days of classes with Katie sharing the teaching with me.

The rest of the time we went on field trips around the city, exploring art and having fun.

Cynthia Fawcett holding the doll she made. Love the colors.

I taught face painting on my first day. Above on the left is the doll I made in Katie's class and on the right is the gift from Katie.

Here the fabulous artists in our group show the dolls they made with Katie.

We worked at tables in the treetops.

One of our "field trip" days was spent at Frida's house, Casa Azul. The museum where you can see her dresses and all the rooms she lived in for over 20 years.

A dream come true for all of us.

We couldn't resist having our pictures taken in front of the blue walls.

Rene Hales in the photo above.

Frida's famous kitchen.

A type of Mexican ceramic that I (and Frida!) love.

The courtyard dappled with sunlight.

And of course plenty of Frida's paintings to study and admire.

As well as her studio.

Directly up those stairs is the bed she slept in.

Tiles in the fountain at the bottom of the stairs.

Shocking to see the leg she wore after her leg was amputated. 

But even it was painted with flowers and beautiful.

This is Ane Elena's photo of one of the many courses of our meal on the last day. Squid, ink dyed cous cous, smoky and divine. 

I'll close here because I've been sorting photos all day and I'm worn out. 

Tomorrow I'll show you the rest of the week in Mexico City and make an announcement about a new online class that launches April 13th.

My Month in Oaxaca

Every year I love it more.

Supporting local artisans.

Visiting new villages (Ocotlan).

Haunting the local markets.

Connecting with our friends Juanita and her daughter Norma, above.

And Juanita's other daughter, Lucy, here grinding corn for the tlayudas.

Doing lots of walking on the colorful, sunny streets.

Finding a beautiful huipil at a bargain price.

Eating fresh.

Studying and reading.

Getting our pictures taken at the textile museum.

Catching lots of exhibitions.

Admiring the details of old buildings.

Green stone from the local quarry is why they call it the Jade City.

And I think those are angels in the blue, blue sky.

New huaraches that only pinch a little bit. 

Old friends.

Good food.

Was anything difficult?

Why yes. I had the flu for a week and came out of it with a broken eardrum. 

It's on the mend - no worries.

John at Monte Alban.

Saw these cuties watching cartoons on their iPhone.

Fabulous art.

And more fabulous art.

Rode around Zaachila in a tuk tuk.

And John's sister Judy and her family came and spent several weeks with us.

That's her above. She lives in Denver.

More old structures.

This brilliant artist's name is Ramon Sanmiguel. His drawings were so life like it was amazing.

Walked miles and miles through the big Ocotlan market.

And had parties with friends.

It was good.

While I was there I did a lot of painting.

Even through my sick days.

With Politec acrylics. 

Those are Mexican paints with a matte surface.

I love the dry, flat surface.

Plus I took charcoal and a few oil pastels.

I actually painted more than these but will continue to work on a few.

The desert-y palette is because I only had a few colors of paint.

Every day I would spend the morning getting some work done.

Now on Thursday, in four more days, I leave to teach in Mexico City.

And yes, I can't wait. I'm ready for a second helping. 

By the way, just a reminder that we still have a few slots to fill in our Bali Adventure. 

Sue just bought her air ticket today and the fare was very reasonable. Go here to read all about what we'll be doing in Bali and by all means join us if you can. It's going to be the memory of a lifetime.