My Painting Trip to Mexico!

I just got back from an amazing trip to San Miguel de Allende, Mexico where I attended a week long painting class taught by artist Trisha Adams.  She takes this trip every year and I recommend it!

Here are the highlights from my journey...

On the first day Trisha did a painting demonstration at the Lavenderia, an old fashioned laundry park.  Here you can see people using the wash basins to clean clothes.

 That afternoon we hiked to the top of Montes de Oca Street to paint the view of the Parroquia Church.

La Parroquia de San Miguel de Allende, Copyright 2017 Hirschten
Purchase on azhirfineart.com

On day 2 we painted in a stunning *secret garden.* 

I did two studies that day.  One of a pot of geraniums and another of the fountain.

Geraniums in the Secret Garden, Copyright 2017 Hirschten
 Purchase on azhirfineart.com

Fountain in the Secret Garden, Copyright 2017 Hirschten

On the third day we went to La Puetecita Hotel to paint the garden.  I focused in on an orange tree.

That afternoon we went to the famous Jardin at the town center.  Most of us painted a charming window that had plants spilling off of it. 

Window on the Jardin, Copyright 2017 Hirschten
Purchase on azhirfineart.com

On day 4 we painted on Del Pueblito street.  Like many streets in San Miguel it is draped with Bougainvillea flowers.  I painted a doorway decorated with these flowers.

The Doorway, Copyright 2017 Hirschten
 Purchase on azhirfineart.com

 That afternoon we went to the Plaza Civica where I painted the Templo del Oratorio de San Felipe.

Templo del Oratorio de San Felipe, Copyright 2017 Hirschten
 Purchase on azhirfineart.com

 And on the fifth day we returned to Trisha's secret garden where I painted a tree in the morning light.

Tree in the Garden, San Miguel de Allende, Copyright 2017 Hirschten

Now that our class is over I can recreate the studies into larger paintings. I'll post them on the blog as I create them. Here is the first one I'm working on... 

Ladies by the Fountain
Oil on Canvas 18" x 24"
Copyright 2017 Hirschten

Other points of interest that are worth seeing on your visit to San Miguel include...

La Canada de la Virgin is an amazing pyramid to visit.  Apparently you can't walk up most pyramids but at La Canada they allow you to hike up to the top and see the incredible view.

 

La Aurora is an old mill factory that has been converted into a wide variety of art galleries.

The Bellas Artes Center features galleries with edgy modern art and art classes.

And last but not least La Gruta Hot Springs was a deliciously unique experience.  Here you can swim through a tunnel to a domed hot springs room.  They have lockers and it was very reasonably priced.


Overall this was a wonderful trip.  I can't help but mention that San Miguel has catered to American tourists for years so the staff at every facility I visited spoke English.  Also this is the only place I have visited outside the US where I was not harassed by pickpockets or men.  Put this stunning city on your bucket list.