“What have you got in that bag?” the dog must have thought when the girl passed by.
Or what do you think?
Actually I love how this one turned out. I did not expect it.
Tag: Drawing
The formerly green house in Malinalco revisited
Before I left Malinalco I went to take a photo of the formerly beautiful dark green house. Upon leaving town it looked like this. From a different angle this time.
Previously it had looked like this.
Stage 1
Stage 2
I think this has been the best background drawing practice for me… I used to hate drawing backgrounds, but after doing these street scenes it feels a lot easier and a lot more fun.
On the streets of Malinalco, Mexico VII
This big white truck was always parked in the next street. I thought it was quite impressive and also always perfectly polished. So I splashed some colour on it.
Ice cream in Malinalco, Mexico
So my time in Mexico is unfortunately over and I am back in Iceland after an amazing 4 day stop over in New York city!
But, I am not done with Mexico yet! There are still so many impressions I want to bring to paper. The sketch book I had with me is still only half full, so I will continue to fill it up with my “snapshots”.
Here is my “self-portait” with ice cream on my last day in Malinalco. The ice cream was delicious. Orange-chocolate and cookie flavour.
On the streets of Malinalco, Mexico VI
This shop. It was the only place brightly lit on a dark street at night. A very odd sight.
I passed it several times during day time. It always had exactly the same set up – 3 chairs at the entrance, but never a soul to be seen.
My neigbours in Malinalco, Mexico
Our next door neighbours. They never complaint about us listening to loud music.
On the streets of Malinalco and CDMX
My time in Malinalco sadly has come to an end and I am back in La ciudad de México (CDMX). I still have several unfinished drawings that I am working on, so you will still get to see some more of my impressions of that little Pueblo Mágico.
I feel so much better this time around in CDMX than 3 weeks ago, as I am now able to converse somewhat in Spanish after studying every day, and I am also better used to the altitude and air pollution. So I spend my days walking around enjoying the sun, eating a lot of street food, and I have been visiting one art museum per day.
I have already planned a whole series of drawings inspired by the capital, but those have to wait until I am back in Iceland next week . Unfortunately I’ll be leaving Mexico earlier than planned as a job opportunity came up, so it will be back to grown up life for now. But I will most certainly be back in this fascinating and inspiring country. Until then I am looking forward to my 4 day stopover in NYC next week. Never been, don´t know what to expect.
Meanwhile on the streets of Malinalco during one of my late afternoon walks.
At the market in Malinalco, Mexico II
I really love strolling through the market and eat tacos, sweats and whatnot. We bought some really delicious fish from this lady, fresh from the local river. She gutted them right there.
Formerly green house revisited in Malinalco
The formerly green house… This is what happened since last week. They are still in the process of painting it.
Friday night in Malinalco, Mexico II
I went for a walk with my friend, the poet.
He showed me his favourite street, which is this one, overhung with trees that are in bloom right now. The street lights illuminated the colours beautifully in the dusk.
I tried to do a more watercoloury drawing style, but I think the paper is not really suitable for it. I still like how it turned out though.
On the streets of Malinalco, Mexico IV
There is this absolutely lovely tiny old lady in my street. She must be 75+ and is half my size. She is there every day all day, sitting in the sun with her two dogs, selling whatever they have straight from the garden. Sometimes her friend, man about the same age, joins her for a chat.
I go almost daily to buy mangos, avocados or granadillas which I had never tasted before but now love.
Friday night in Malinalco, Mexico
I heard some commotion outside of the gate and after a while I got curious and looked outside. This is what I saw. White horse in the car lights that were passing by. He seemed rather bored and unhappy being parked on the sidewalk.
Means of transportation for the cool kids at the weekend.
On the streets of Malinalco, Mexico III
This guy, parked on the sidewalk. Second donkey I have seen so far.
At the market in Malinalco, Mexico
Every Wednesday is market day. There are plenty of street dogs around, either patiently waiting for leftovers or simply using the shade to take a nap.
Nice to see that the people and dogs at the market are very polite to each other.
Colour confusion in Malinalco, Mexico
Surprisingly no beetle in sight on this street. Also the green house is a bit too bright for my taste. But it certainly caught my attention. I prefer the other one. Well, or I should rather say, the formerly green house.
I went for a walk this morning when I passed the house again and first I didn´t realize that it is it, and then I thought wtf am I colour blind or is my memory failing me completely!?
They have started to paint it dark red and in order to paint over the green they have smeared some yellow over it in the front… so it looks rather wild right now. I will try to capture the process maybe tomorrow.
Same thing happened just yesterday. There is this gift shop here in my street. I took this picture last weekend.
And this was when I passed the place yesterday and I thought my eyes are playing tricks on me…. wow, I felt confused.
Streets of Malinalco, Mexico
Green house is my favourite so far.
On the streets of Malinalco, Mexico
These guys napping in the shadow during the afternoon heat. There are plenty of street dogs around here but most of them look well fed and they are very friendly towards people and vice versa.
They didn´t even blink once when I passed and watched them.
In Malinalco, State of Mexico
Moving on from Tulum.
After a week in La Ciudad de México (CDMX) I got to Malinalco. I had no idea what this place was about before I arrived here. 115 km south west of CDMX in the State of Mexico. Elevation 1740m, population 8000, very rural and it is considered a Pueblo Mágico…
And most importantly it has way less air pollution than CDMX which I highly appreciate and approve of.
It is certainly very colourful. During my first walk around town.
Melanie Franz 