"Incense" watercolor 40" X 33" image

Incense by April M. Rimpo

Incense shows a side of life in
Chichicastenango, Guatemala not often described in photographs and paintings of this area. Generally the first thing described about this large indigenous town is its famous market days on Thursdays and Sundays.  Vendors sell flowers, food, flowers, handicrafts, fabrics, pottery, and much more.  Included in the shops are pom and copal (traditional incense) which is likely in use by the woman in this painting.

Of lesser focus for the tourists is the number of churches in Chichicastenango.  This woman incenses the entrance to the church while others gather on the steps to sell flowers. The contrast between her and those conversing on the steps was stark.  I had a sense of solemnity from this woman and wanted to share her story.  

Like other woman in Guatemala she carried a child on her back as she went about her duties, but I opted not to show the child since I wanted the focus on the incense and her role at church. I felt if I showed the child the viewer would be distracted from the incense. 

Incense

watercolor

40" X 33" image

48" X 40" brushed silver frame

$2900

  

This is a very large format painting, 40" X 33", because I felt the smoke needed space to rise. The painting is entirely done in watercolor on hot press paper. I started with light washes surrounding the white of the smoke.  As the light wash dried I sprayed it with water to form soft edges and to create little dots that help with the illusion of smoke.  Once the light wash was dry I wet the edge of that wash and came back with a variety of dark colors to emphasize the depth of the church and further highlight the smoke of the incense.  I also sprayed water on the dark wash as it dried to enhance the feel of smoke.  Hard edges were maintained on the incense pot as contrast to the smoke emerging from the pot.  I used a similar approach on the clothing using droplets of water to create depth and texture to the fabric when darker values were painted over the light dappled surface.

You can see my other paintings inspired by Guatemala here:

• Antiguan Drummer
• Guatemala Girl
• Fruit Vendors
• Street in Sololá
• Heading to Market
• Poinsettia Tree
• Messengers
• Woman with a Wrapped Hat
• Hammocks
• The Dugouts
• Wash Day
• His Dugout
• Stopped to Chat
• Basket Maker
• Flores
• Back Strap Weaver
• Out of the Sun
• Guatemala Family

If you are interested in purchasing any of these paintings or a print click here to ask me about availability.  You can also browse some of my prints in my online shop.

Copyright April M Rimpo All Rights Reserved. You may share my work with attribution and a link to this source site, but all other uses are prohibited.

"Hammocks" 24" X 22" watercolor by April M. Rimpo

Hammocks by April M. Rimpo

Hammocks
watercolor
24" X 22" image
31" X 29" brushed silver frame
$1250 when shipped within United States

Contact April Regarding Purchase

Sometimes it just clicks.  Everything about this painting clicked.  I remember taking the photograph in Chichicastenango, Guatemala.  I was cutting through the local market to get back to my group when I saw these hammocks.  Although in a hurry, I stopped in my tracks and took a few photos.  When reviewing these photos recently this memory and the feelings I had at the time immediately pop right back.

Chichi is known for its colorful native markets, which are held each Thursday and Sunday.  The ethereal patterns of the hammock netting against the sky and the bright colors of the hammock chair swings were a combination I couldn't resist.  The linear lines of the fabric that curved with the shape of the hammock contrasted with the straight diagonals of the dowels that held the hammocks. Making sense of these interesting patterns was the challenge, but one worth trying since I wanted to share the beauty if I succeeded.

Despite the apparent complexity of the hammocks this is one of those paintings that just worked.  Perhaps my love of the scene just took over.  I had considered this a test painting, to see if I could make sense of the netting, done in preparation for another painting.  I'm really happy with the results of the test and hope you like it too.

In case you are wondering, the brilliant reds, pinks, and oranges are thanks to Daniel Smith quinacridone pigments.


To see available prints check my store.