The Mayans

The Mayan face, the Mayan smile, the Mayan huipils and the Mayan life and beliefs have inspired my work since my arrival in Mexico and Guatemala. We live today near the end of Mayan times. Life of the Maya revolved around time and the readings of the sacred calendar. We approach the end of the last fifth 5,125 cycle which takes place on the solstice of Cecember 21, 2012 when a new cycle begins. On this date the sun will be aligned with the centre of The Milky Way for the first time in 26,000 years.

The Mayan civilization was one of the greatest in the world. Classic Mayan culture flourished from the 3rd to the 9th centurey in Meso America in M exico, Belize, Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador. Ruins of great cities and pyramids and the mystery of the collapse of the Mayan empire remain.

Yet the Mayan people retain their traditions and beliefs and many Mayan languages are still spoken. Today, 50% of the population of Guatemala are descendants of the ancient Mayas and the population is vital and thriving. To be in the midst of the markets, the tianguis, is one of my favorite things, a sense of being a part of something ancient and true. And I feature this in my show opening February 11, 2010- The women weave and wear the huipil, a blouse whose fabric is woven on a back strap loom. The huipil displays the religion and tribal affiliation of each woman as well as her social and marital status and her personality. The Hupil can be seen in carvings on ancient ruins, it has survived, the collapse of the Mayan empire, Spanish and foreign rule. As a form of art, it hasa withsood the test of time and remains an object of beauty.

Come see my show at my studio, Cuauhtemoc 635, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, opening Feb. 11 from 7 to 9 and the show continues throughout the m onth. Kybas studio is open to visitors weekdays from 11 to 4 and by appointment, call 222 4238

Retrato de Olivia

Here is a portrait of Olivia Ryan, grandchild born in Berlin who I visited for the first time at Xmas and painted, a white christmas in Berlin.
My show " Obras Favoritas " takes place in my studio February 11. Also our group Vallarta Estudios Abiertos will host a second event the weekend of January 23 and 24 with our studios open from 10 to 10. Check us out at our facebook page, Vallartaartistsstudios.

Vallarta Estudios Abiertos/Vallarta Artists Studios

Vallarta Artists Open Studios Nov. 27,28 and 29/09

Vallarta Artists Studios/Estudios Abiertos, an artist operated non profit group of 12 artists open their studios November 27, 28 and 29 from 10 am. -2 pm. and 5 pm -10 pm. and invite the public to come and meet these diverse and talented artists in their studios where they work, to come and browse or buy or commission works and to be a part of this first time event in Puerto Vallarta and share in the imaginations that enrich our lives. Some of us are emerging artists, some are internationally acclaimed but all are high spirited, sincere, creative people who believe that art is a part of our everyday life and is to be enjoyed by all.

We are, listed alphabetically by their last names;

Edward Alejandre, www.creativeartistry.biz
Cecilia Bojorquez, oteropintora@hotmail.com
Ada Colorina, www.adacolorinaarte.com
Rogelio Diaz, www.galeriarogeliodiaz.com
Angeline Kyba, www.angelinekyba.com
Jose Marca, www.josemarca.com.mx
Luis Fransisco Martinez, miraelviento@hotmail.com
Javier Niño, www.javierniño.com
Cathy von Rohr, www.cathyvonrohr.com
Saul Salcedo, saulsalcedopvr@hotmail.com
Fransisco Sanchez, www.colectivolamalagua.com
Ireri Topete, ireritopete.blogspot.com

Vallarta Artists' Studios first event

The group of 12 artists forming Vallarta Estudios Abiertos/Vallarta Artists' Studios invite everyone to visit our studios for a visual arts festival on November 27,28 and 29 from 10am-2pm and 5pm-10pm, a map to follow soon. We are artists who have been working independently in Puerto Vallarta and look forward to welcoming visitors to see diverse and exciting creations and to meet artists in the studios where they work. The artists are myself Angeline Kyba, Fernando Sanchez,Luis Medina,Jose Marca, Cathy von Rohr,Ireri Topete,Rojelio Diaz,Ada Colorina,Cecilia Bojorquez,Javier Niño and Saul Salcedo and Edward Alejandre.

Dia de los Muertos 09

Dia de Los Muertos in Puerto Vallarta 09

sketches from my brother's garden

My brother's garden, Keats Island in the Gulf Coast, B.C.   A few sketches of fireweed, sunflower and sweet peas, all in reverse as they are photographed with a computer camera, ink line drawing not photographing too well.  a great time sketching and painting on the island for a week, the most beautiful weather in BCs history, the ocean good for swimming, no deer sighted.  and a portrait done of my brother Fred which I will include when I return to Mexico at the end of the week.  Connecting and communing here with family, walking in cool weather now, a pleasure after Vallarta's scalp sweating heat and humidity.  The fireweed a special treat, a memory of youth in Northern Manitoba. where it was scrubbier and covered hills a rocks with purple pink and lavender, the first growth after the trees were cut, cut, as I recall, to make a fire break in the bush.