First impressions count

This text was written for the Pipe Club of Lebanon in December 2009, and sent to my dear friend Paul Jahshant. Now I want to share it.

For a group of four, that never attended such a contest, the idea was tempting. It was in a near by town, Bernal, just two hours far from home and with the third biggest monolith on earth. So after our monthly meeting, three of us decided to go and see.

I had been reading about the slow smoking contest for years, and the invitation from Mexico City was a chance to give a glance to such a thing. During the meeting, we were discussing about the joy of smoking. After all, how we smoke is not important, just having a good time with friends and savoring our favorite blend is. Anyway, after three years of meetings, the chance to travel with friends was a good idea. Near the town of destination, there are two vineyards, and we could meet smokers from other places. Pedro, the last member of our club, would pick up the other two, Arturo and I. It was Saturday morning, a clear sky, and the three of us where heading to visit to de wine-cellar of the vineyard Freixenet. After the tour, and a few glasses of wine, we arrived at the hotel where the contest would be held. There were people from Mexico City, Queretaro, and the host of the contest, Carlos Camacho, from Ezequiel Montes. We moved to a restaurant, facing the famous “peña de Bernal”, with typical food, beer and wine. Everybody was in a very good mood. I had the chance to see some old friends, like Joaquin, President of El Circulo de la Pipa, and Gustavo, President of the Azteca Pipaclub. But most of the smokers were new acquaintances. During the meal, all the three of us declined the invitation to participate in the contest, arguing that we had never participated in one and were inexperienced smokers, but we were willing to see everything that happened. Joaquín told us that we have to participate, and a “no” was not possible. So we didn’t have any chance but to accept. The time had come. We received our tobacco and matches. Got ready, and at the contest was started. We were kind of shy, trying to follow all the directions given. What we were thinking? No one wanted to be the first to abandon the competition! But there was a moment when we wanted to get to the hour, I was near that time. After all, we were happy to be there, of having participated in the competition. We got third, fourth and fifth place (me being the fifth). The contest was fun, in a beautiful place. But it is the fellowship among pipe smokers what we liked the most. We came back to San Luis with the purpose of organizing our first slow smoking contest for 2010, and we are in it.

The group at Bernal

Guillermo Ruizlimon San Luis Potosi, December 2009

Rediscovering painting.

My work at the university has really taken over my time. For some four years I have had little time for my work as an artist. I have been drawing, but not as much as I would like to. I have done some painting, but not enough. Well, I have decided to change things around here.
First, I have started to walk on a daily basis. How could it be possible that a walker wasn't walking? So I'm enjoying my morning walk again. Being at my studio is another thing that helps me change things. It doesn't matter if I don't have time for painting or drawing. Being at the studio every day is helping me. My studio now looks like a studio again, and work is flowing.
I want a change in my life. I have to make the change. What do I have to change? I'm in the move, I am doing changes to have the life I want, to have more time for my art work and for taking care of myself.

Another year that ends...

For some time I removed from my e-mail signature the links for my blogs (this one and another in spanish - el goce de la vida). I just didn't know if it was worth to have a blog if I wasn't writing at all. But I like blogs. I think that some that I follow are great, others make me laugh, and I learn from others. That is why I've decided to keep on writing.
I'm a native spanish speaker (no one could ever know...lol), but I write this one in English because I happen to spend some of my days thinking in English. So if I want to write something, I do it in English. Well, and I have some friends that only speak English...Not always what is written in one blog is translated to the other, although some times I do.
Does anyone read my blogs? Yes, I know some friends do. and for me that's enough. But I also write for myself, because it seems to be good for me. And, after all, I like to share with others, so I'll keep on wtiting.

Best wishes for 2011!

Drawing cats

I have been drawing cats for a while. I didn't notice that most of my drawings are from sleeping cats. Someone told me that it's easier to do it that way, they don't move. Well, yes, they tend to keep in a position for long before changing it. But, in fact, that is not the reazon. I tend to draw them while I'm also in bed, so we are, cat and artist, enjoying the bed relaxing, thing that cats do very well.

I have worked in the zoo, near San Luis, at Mexquitic, drawing a beautiful linx. I love those cats, but it is very difficult, because they keep on moving around. The advantage is that their movement is repetitive (poor little things), so you just have to wait that the cat returns to the same spot.

I was wondering today, couldn't it be great if I work on cat drawings (and paintings) more? I think so, I'm going to give it a try.

new painting

When I was a university student, I share some time with a beatiful female Harris hawk. She was a magnificent bird. I loved to see her fly. So when a dear friend ask me to make a painting of an owl, I was very happy.
I decided to look for pictures of owls at flickr, and found one that would be perfect for what I had in mind. Permission to use it was granted, so I started the painting. I'm glad with the result. But more for the fact that someone likes my work enough to ask for one.

Maruca

On December 30th, at 17:35, my mother in law was passing away.

She was a great woman. Mother of 9. Lived a life full of sorrow and joy. Worked hard and did it well. If something got her interest, she would go really into it. She studied about China, and after all the study, gave a lecture about the country, and was congratulated by Chinese scholars. She was a passionate reader, and wrote some papers. She performed as a leading actress at some theaters here in San Luis, and somoewhere else. She had an avocado orchard that loved and cared for. As a mother in law she was respectful and loving...with some distance. She loved life, enjoyed a good meal and a good drink. Loved to travel, and visited all continents. She was a good friend and good companion.
We will miss her a lot, but her memory will endure.

January first.

No walking today. Instead, an hour an a half quietly smoking in a new pipe and drinking some Earl Grey. Time to relax, remembering old and new friends. Wondering about painting: after some 18 months of almost not a brushstroke, I'm back in creating.

Filemón

Here is my walking pal.

news about Filemón

Not one picture, but a lot of walking. After some days of distress by a skin afection, walking with my young dog has became a delight. A good tempered dog, playful, and with a nice and profound bark, Filemón is becoming a good companion. I'm back in the road!

new companion

I lost, in a few months, my two dogs. In December was Hans, a Giant schnauzer, 15 years old. Then, in February, Nina a 16 year old smooth fox terrier. They have been my walking companions for quite a while, and sure I miss them.

A month ago, Miguel García Maldonado, a schnauzer breeder, here in San Luis Potosí, gave me a beatiful standard schnauzer, He is about two monts an a half by now, and I named him Filemón. Hopefuly, he will be with me for a long time, and we will have long walks. I'm happy!

Done it!

It seems that, some times, it's difficult to do as we plan. I haven't done my walks for a long time now. My loved companion, Hans, a black giant schnauzer, died las december. Painting and drawing seems to be an impossible task when I have to work at a university, teach, and finish my master degree in education.

I keep my meditation practice, and, happily, some drawing and painting is done. As I stated in my last entrance, I am exhibiting some works. The show oppened last thursday (april third) with some 50 persons attending. There has been some good comments, and some inteligent criticism. But more important, the show is there for many to see.

I have done it! More work has to be created, now I have more time for art. I am aware that if Idon't make it possible, if I am not the one who makes it possible, no one will.

long time, no see ya

It has been a long time since the last text published. Many things have happened. I have been studying my master degree in education, drawing, living my life. My mother has just passed away; I miss her a lot, but I will have, near my heart, all her love and words of support.

I will be showing some of my drawings next april third, with a fellow teacher, Elizabeth Alonso. Maby my studies have meant less hours of drawing and painting, but that is my life long passion. I'm very happy for the chance of a new exhibition. More work will follow, after all, I can't find any wotk more rewarding than creating images.

Life is worth living !

Half the way walked

Today mi wife sent me a post for people with more than 40 years of age. It is one of those posts that one receives every day. One that was sent from someone who received it from another one and so on. But this one really made me think.
I am over fourty, and the way I view life is not the same as it was some twenty years ago. Then, I had more energy, it was like if I was able to do whatever I wanted, although now I'm not so sure. Today I know what I can do, and it's a lot.
First, now I can enjoy life, to savor time and action, even no-action. I can make a stop and smell my cup of tea, and drink it alone, just because I like tea. And I may have it with a loved friend and enjoy the company.
Now I'm not in a rush, and it is not because I can't run, it is just that I have found another pace that allows me to live the moment. I like speed, but found that cycling and walking give me a better speed, one that makes me have the chance to hear a bird singing in my way.
There are many things that I want to do, But I have found that I prefer to do one thing with love and patience than many in a clumsy way. Now I want less things, and it has nothing to do with what is in or out.
Life has not changed much for me in this years. It is my perspective of life what has changed, and I'm happy.

Walking

Walking has become part of my life. It seems that I like walking since childhood. When I was in high school Iused to walk with a friend in rainy days, feeling the drops falling down, walking together without a word. There is a park near the house I used to live in, where I used to have long, long walks, watching everything around, catching any smell there was.
There is no better way to see a city than walking. It is the speed of walking that allows you to watch, to discover places, to be with people. I'm a city dweler, and I know that nature is present within the city. By walking you can hear nature, you can find some wild animals living in the city and look at them.
But for me, one thing that I have found during my daily walking, is myself. I like to walk early in the morning, when there's no much people and noise, so you can be with yourself. Thinking, enjoying being alive, even praying.
Guillermo.

If you happen to be a walker, I invite you to join a yahoo group I found, it is called Holylanders (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Holylanders/) :

Holylanders is a group for people who walk for health, for meditation and to enjoy nature. In addition Holylanders is a discussion group for people who enjoy the writings of nature authors and nature mystics such as Saint Francis of Assisi, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau and John Muir

Teaching and art work.

When I started this blog I decided to writte at least two times a month. That hasn't happen at all. But it is now a good time to star it over.
After starting school again, I have been thinking about what will happen, in the near future, with my carreer as an artist. If I intend to focus on teaching, how would that affect my art.
I'm starting a two year program that focus on education. That is, I will be prepared to be a better teacher, I could work in the developement of curricula or into administrative work within the educational system.
More and more my work is related to education. The hours spent in a classroom are more, as well as the time spent before and after the class. Recently I have closed down my serigraphy studio, because I don't have the time required for a printing run. Painting has become harder for the same reazon: lack of time. What is left is drawing.
Although little prints where my first passion (mail stamps), drawing has been one that has lasted more. Drawing demands focus. It is possible to be drawing for hours, but it is also true that there are drawings that require short periods of time. I love drawing, so why not give it a chance.
After the scientific illustration workshop taken a few months ago, I rediscover drawing from nature. I have been looking into the work of botanical and wildlife illustrators and found some incredible body of work.
Why shouldn't I try to follow two passions from childhood? First, the love for nature, animals and the human body. Second, the love for drawing. Time will let me know what will happen. For the time being, I'll keep on drawing with love the ten thousand things with all my heart and a blade of grass as myself.

about Velo-city 2007

I have been a bicycle fan for many years. I'm convinced that it is a perfect way to travel short distances within the city. The next info is very relevant and I've decided to share it. Thanks. Guillermo.

Velo-city newsletter No. 2
27th of July, 2006
Minister Tiefensee confirms his participation in the Velo-city 2007 Conference
Dear guests,I am delighted to be able to inform you that Wolfgang Tiefensee, the Federal Minister for Transport, Construction and City Development, has confirmed his participation in the Velo-city 2007 Conference. As a co-organizer of the conference, he will be honoured to give the international delegates of Velo-city 2007 an insight into the strategies of the Federal Government for the promotion of bicycle transport in Germany in his opening statement.
Yours truly,Ralf KaulenVelo-city Director
*Have you already submitted your proposal as presenter for Velo-city 2007? The deadline for submission is Friday, 11th August 2006. All necessary information is available under http://www.velo-city2007.com/. We welcome your contribution!**Please help us to spread the invitation to Velo-city 2007: kindly forward the Velo-city 2007-Newsletter to your network!***For former editions of the Velo-city 2007-Newsletter please have a look at http://www.velo-city2007.com/index.php?id=18.

To teach or not to teach.

For long time I have heard or read about teaching in the art field. Some say teachers are just a plague. I remember the movie "the wall", were students are tortured by their teachers. I have read some times that, in order to become an artist or illustrator, there is nothing better than stay apart from schools and teachers and start creating "your art".
This may be the way of thinking of many, but there are plenty of schools around, and teachers continue to work hard. Now, what is the point in saying all these words? - you may ask. First, part of my work is done as a teacher. And second, and for me, at this particular moment, more important, I'm starting a master degree in teaching very soon.
Althoug I like the idea of studying, I wonder if teaching is so important for me. After many years of teaching in different institutions, I have to ask myself if teaching is that significant as to make it the subject of study and, as a consequence, my project of work, maybe more important than creating my own paintings and prints.
I started teaching for fun. Yes, it may sound very irresponsible, but that was the case. I was just a university student, and let me tell you, it was in fact a great time some friends and I had in the classroom during those days. After that expirience, I just kept on teaching. Teaching persons old and very young; teaching drawing, painting, printing or some theoretical subjects. But what have never change, is the momet where you can see a bright light in the face of a student, sudenly realizing that she or he can do what was never thought as possible. The moment where the face of a student shows satisfaction, or just a state of deep concentration that turns in to a significant expirience, an expirience that, in some, becomes a turning point in their lives.
Maybe that is why I keep on teaching. Maybe that is why I want to study about teaching. If I can show a few how to find their way, if I can show some persons to really see the world they live in, If I may help others to express their feelings and thoughts, then my decision is well taken.

"It is the supreme art of the teacher to awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge."
Albert Einstein

A new start

Well, although english is not my native language, I will try to write in this blog in english, since I am in some english speaking groups of artists. So please, forgive my mistakes.
I'm a visual artist living in San Luis Potosí, Mexico. This is a city in the centre of Mexico, with a semidesertic climate and with some 1,000,000 individuals living together. After living most of my life in Mexico City, it seems to me as a little place. Yes, I know it's not that little, but if you've ever been in Mexico City you may understand.
I studied graphic design, but always wanted to make a living producing some kind of art. I have taken some courses in drawing and painting, like in The Corcoran School of Art ( Washington, D. C.), the National School of painting,sculpture and printing "La Esmeralda" in Mexico City, or The Central School of Art and Design in London.
The last workshop was here in San Luis, a Natural Sciences Illustration workshop by one of the best science illustrators in the country: Aldi de Oyarzabal. This has make me think about my production.
After some years in figure drawing and painting, I received a comission for a mural painting. Of course my subject was around humans, but the background was worked with geometrical patterns and elements. After that work, I started exploring with abstraction.
Now I feel like going back to nature, to persons. I'm trying to combine both experiences to produce my work. But the love for the human figure has remain. Somewhere I read that in Latin America artists tend to make their work supported on feelings, not in reazon, and the author may be right. But working with natural subjects just make me feel like I belong, that we are part of it.
I'll just keep on working.

Guillermo.