Jana Matusz on Site

Okay. Enough scouting and finding good spots. I’ll be happy to get painting. Rain doesn’t stop the rafters and kayakers, but it does make painting difficult.

Time for another teaser. It’s Sunday and I’ve been away from home for a week. Sounds like a good enough reason to celebrate, no? I had my first meal in a restaurant here. I tried the “Old Bohemian Feast” at the Two Marias Restaurant. Think I liked it?  🙂

Even the clothesline was smiling after that meal. (The kapusta was especially good.)

Can’t help admiring the cats, wherever I am…

It rained most of the day until evening. I huddled under my new umbrella and sketched for a while.

Since it was still raining, I decided to visit the graphite mine and take a tour. We suited up and went a kilometer into the hill. It was a unique experience.

Painted in the morning. The first one is always a special challenge. I had company…

Now that I know how to purchase food a little better, here are some “teasers” for Marta and anyone else who is missing Central Europe:

The weather was constantly changing today. We had a terrific thunderstorm, followed by beautiful evening light.

This town is absolutely stunning. I love it here. What a knockout  image:

Turned out to be a beautiful day. I narrowed down some painting spots, and got my materials and palette ready. 

What’s with the bears you ask? There are bears in a pit just outside the castle gate.

Not sure it’s a good idea to be out late painting alone, but Cesky Krumlov sure is pretty at night.

Another overcast day, but that’s no problem. So many compositions out there, asking to be painted, or (for now) at least noticed.

Hope you enjoy the larger photos. Might be stormy tomorrow, so I won’t promise more photos.

Today, after unpacking, I slowly walked and walked for hours, enjoying the beautiful town. It really is an amazing place, even on a very cold and cloudy day.

It’s been a while since I’ve done the blog. I’m not sure I’ll post every day.

Consider subscribing to the blog so the posts come to you via email. (Just click on the Sign me up! button.)  And even though I’m choosing not to have open conversations, I hope you’ll email me at janamatusz@aol.com anytime. I’d love to hear from you.

Tomorrow I’m off to Europe for two months of drawing and painting in Cesky Krumlov.

I’m very much looking forward to this residency. I’ve been drawing a lot since the 2011 Bermuda residency: bird drawings from the Harvard Natural History Museum and lots more figure drawings. I also had a couple painting trips to Maine, where I did a variety of subjects, painting mostly in the car since it was so cold! Here are some of the paintings from in and around Portland and Wiscasset.

I think often of Bermuda, remembering the wonderful friends and experiences from last year’s residency. What a change of scenery I have awaiting me…

It’s been a few months since the end of my residency, but part of me is still in Bermuda.

I read the Royal Gazette online. I love getting the emails from the Plein Air group, and wish that I could join you all every Sunday morning. Thanks to everyone who has kept in touch. I think of you often.

I finally updated my website, adding Bermuda paintings and some recent Maine paintings. (www.janamatusz.com). I can see that my Bermuda residency has had a profound influence on me. I’m looking forward to building on the progress I made there, to weaving into my life some of the threads from my Bermuda time, and, of course, to returning someday.

Thanks again to everyone. Hugs from Jana.

St. George's at Night (20 x 20")

Independence Day in the U.S.  Happy Fourth! I’m still unpacking and organizing and glowing from fond memories of my Bermuda residency. We put some of the paintings up around the house so we can enjoy them.

Thank you to everyone who helped make the residency possible and who helped make it such a positive experience.

Here is a Letter to the Editor I sent to the Royal Gazette. I’m not sure if they’ll publish it or not, but you can read it here in any case:

A sincere thank you from artist Jana Matusz

To the Editor,

I recently returned home to Boston after a three-month visit to Bermuda as the Masterworks Artist in Residence.

The opportunity to draw and paint is a tremendous gift to an artist, and the inspiration I found in Bermuda was truly remarkable. I’m very grateful to everyone at the Masterworks Foundation for making my residency possible.

Right from the start, I was particularly awed by the intense Bermuda light and color, and the unique architecture (especially in St. George’s) which is a delight to paint. The variety of subject matter, from Ag Show equestrians to Dockyard Glass artists, scuba divers, Bermuda Day parade participants, farm animals, Peppercorn Ceremony, etc. made every day a visual adventure. 

My residency ended up being about people as much as places. I would like to thank all the individual Bermudians who helped me make the most of my residency. In particular, Jill Raine, whose watercolors and prints grace the walls of everyone who loves Bermuda, was an incredibly generous and helpful ambassador. She and her circle of friends made me feel welcome and well cared for during what could otherwise have been a lonely time. The Bermuda Plein Air Painters, which met every Sunday, is a very talented, inspiring and dedicated group. I enjoyed their company, and admired their beautiful and diverse work. The International Women’s Club, especially the Art Group, provided fun outings, delightful company and connections which were very helpful. Many other individuals went out of their way to help me with contacts, rides, and meals. I’m especially grateful to Clifford at the Almeida Farm, who was a splendid model and friend.

I would also like to commend and thank all the Bermudians who, as a whole, serve as a shining example of hospitality, kindness, dignity and pride. In a place where it is expensive to paint and maintain housing and roofing, the Bermudians have, at great personal expense, created a beautiful environment of charm and color which delights every visitor. In situations which would try anyone’s patience, Bermuda’s bus drivers, guides, and citizens have provided directions, helpful advice, and kindness to the many visitors who sometimes overwhelm the island’s resources. I have seen more than “niceness” — I have seen real kindness from Bermudians who have missed their own bus, or delayed their own errands in order to help a confused tourist. It takes a whole country to make visitors feel welcome, and I think Bermudians are doing a splendid job.

You should feel very proud of your country and your fellow Bermudians. You have much to be proud of. I was very impressed, and look forward to visiting Bermuda again.

Sincerely,

Jana Matusz
Arlington, MA
Masterworks Artist in Residence, April-June 2011

A blog of Jana’s experiences during her residency is available online at

https://janamatusz.wordpress.com/

As always, if you’d like to be in touch, please feel free to email me at janamatusz@aol.com. Thanks again, everyone! Cheers!

Jana

Today went smoothly, but it was difficult to leave Bermuda.

I finished up all the final details, putting out garbage, unplugging things in the apartment, dealing with keys, etc. Jill took me to a fantastic breakfast at Mama Angie’s, and then to the airport. Thank you, Jill — you were an amazing friend and helper during this residency. I don’t know how I would have managed without you. Thank you for sharing your fantastic circle of friends with me. I feel so fortunate to have met so many wonderful people.

More to come later.

Meanwhile, the flight to Boston went smoothly and very soon I was back home enjoying fresh peaches, and happy to be back with Marta and kittens. The packed paintings made it here safely.

To my Bermuda friends, stay tuned for one more posting on this blog. And for my Boston friends, I’m back safely and I’ll see you soon!