Travel Blog; Puerto Vallarta Mexico Workshop (part two)

The Downtown Art Walk

As a group, we took a taxi from Hacienda Mosaico to downtown Puerto Vallarta and were dropped off at Galería Uno, which was Sam’s recommendation of an art gallery not to be missed. She wasn’t kidding. This amazingly beautiful space had a wide range of work, and was a feast for the eyes no matter what your taste.

We marveled at how all the galleries were all open-air in one area or another. We wondered about the rain, and were curious how it worked with artwork and outdoor dining. At dinner the restaurant staff explained to us that the rain happens in the summer months when it’s too hot for tourism. Our server said that now, the rains have stopped and the weather is much cooler, so they expand into all outside spaces. The evening temperature is perfect for walking under the stars, viewing artwork, and enjoying a meal in open-air courtyards that look upward into the night sky.

We walked as a group up the hill from Gallería Uno to find many of the smaller galleries on our Art Walk map. Every block offered some amazingly beautiful spaces hosting more unique Mexican artwork. Sam had made us dinner reservations at El Aryyán for 8:00pm, and we wanted to make sure to get to as many galleries as we could before then. The ladies and I enjoyed talking to many of the gallerists (everyone in the galleries speaks English) about the work they represented, the mediums used, and where the artists were from. We learned a bit about traditional Mexican mediums like hand painted wood carving, and beading, and were really amazed at the variety of work represented.

After enjoying a nice dinner, we ran into a couple of last minute galleries just before they all closed at 10:00pm. We were super glad that we got to stop into Corsica Gallery where we experienced some amazing traditional, colorful Mexican painting on 3-D dog sculptures, some oversized portraits, and an incredible open air sculpture garden.

Cricket Tacos Anyone?

Sam had told us that El Arryán was a traditional Mexican restaurant and had menu items that were different than some of the other places we had been. She told us that they served cricket tacos and that someone in the group had to try them! “Someone always does, one brave soul”  she laughed.

When our server came around at El Arryán, I offered to treat everyone to an appetizer of cricket tacos, but nobody was willing to take me up on it! “C’mon, this is an opportunity to try something different!” No takers. So our server smiled at me and said she could bring me just one taco and that the others could take a bite or change their mind and she would bring more. I made the mistake of letting the ladies lift up the tortilla and peek into that taco… and, it was all over!

Basically the crickets are washed and fried, and seasoned with garlic and lime juice; they are crunchy and don’t have much of a distinct flavor, they actually take on the taste of the dark brown chili sauce they were served with.

YOLO!

Back to Work!

The next morning it was back at it, the students were making some great progress on their pieces and really getting the hang of creating beautiful papers and getting into the beginning groove of collage. Dudley had not been pleased with her paper painting results on day one and two, but by day three she was getting into a good groove!

That happens.

Again I must say what an amazingly inspiring place Hacienda Mosaico has been in terms of the natural beauty, colorful and creative spaces, the food, the service, the cleanliness… I could go on and on. If you have an opportunity to come here for a workshop, even if it’s not mine… just do it! You won’t regret spending a week here in paradise.

If you missed part one of this Mexico Travel Blog you can find it here.

All Good Things…

On our last day the students had finished their collages and really had the hang of what they were doing! Everyone wanted to take advantage of creating more hand-painted collage papers with local flora on their gel printing plates. The idea was to bring home some of the colors of Mexico!

On Friday night we headed downtown near the beach for a second art walk called the South Side Shuffle where the ladies and I were super happy to find some shops with items to purchase for friends at home. We also took in MORE amazing artwork and galleries, and we had one last dinner together. Sam made us reservations at Daiquiri Dicks on the beach, we sat outside and enjoyed the sound of the waves crashing against the shore. We listened to live music, saw some sidewalk performers, and enjoyed more local foods, drinks, a couple of us even partook in dessert. The staff at Dicks were wonderful, and the atmosphere was perfect.

“What a lovely trip this has been.” Debbie said as she looked at all of us and smiled.

It really has been.

Many, many thanks to everyone who joined me in Mexico and made this week possible, and kudos to our hosts at Hacienda Mosaico, Sam And Xeno, for their amazing hospitality and incredible venue. 

In the words of Arnold Schwarzenegger,
“I’ll be back!”

If you missed part one of this Mexico Travel Blog you can find it here.

 

 

 

 

 

And as always,

Thank you
for being a part of my
Art Journey,

Connections