Yolanda 11 Painting

This is the second portrait I painted of Yolanda in the park and I have just gone back to it and painted some more on it, altering the background so I have dated it this year yet I began it a few years ago. This often happens with a work in my studio, I see something in a painting or dream about it and return to the work. Yolanda is now a friend since we have spent such good times painting together as she sells her weavings. I first painted her grandmother, who brought her children from Oaxaca to Puerto Vallarta with the help of a priest after her husband was shot. The priest thought she could support her family with her fine weavings. And she has done so. Then I painted Yolanda’s aunt at the behest of the grandmother. And now the granddaughter, all beautiful Trique indigenous people who all speak the Trique language and weave huipils, their dresses. I am fascinated by their culture, language, art dress and their active life in the community and culture. The indigenouse people of Mexico plaay a large and active part of Mexican life. Add to this the fact that a painting can change as it hangs in an artist’s studio. The memorey of the posing and sitting and initial painting time remains clear and committed to the mind.