Churches of Granada

I had so much fun with my camera in Granada, Nicaragua. The streets were alive with vibrant colors, old colonial architecture and one of my favorite photographic subjects, plain old decay. We always passed this church on the beginning of our photo safaris. It was close to the indoor oasis that we called our temporary home. I say oasis, because from the street, our residence was just a dirty painted door. But once ushered inside, all of the rooms hovered over a beautiful garden. It was a mini paradise in an urban jungle. That's what Granada life is like for traveler and lucky local alike. Our shower had plants and a little mini garden in the bathroom. And it was open air!

This is San Francisco Church. It sheltered a museum and interesting stone sculptures and artifacts. It was rebuilt in the year 1600. Why? I don't know. But I enjoyed the visit.

This is one of my favorite photos. Maybe of all time. Shards of glass are adhered to stone walls as a makeshift security fence. And not just at this church. That's what travel is all about. Seeing things like this.

You can see another church in the distance. That is the church where we listened to joyous singing and exhilarating acoustics on New Year's night, 2014. We ventured inside the yellow church the day after New Years. (this day in fact) The floor was covered with ash, candles were burning everywhere and the smell of incense flooded your senses. There were Christmas shrines set up from pillar to post. An amazing travel memory.

Another church in downtown Granada.

The metal writing gives a clue to the name.

Looking skyward towards the heavens.

This is Iglesia la Merced. Tourists can climb the tower and view the beautiful tiled roofs of the city all the way to Volcan Mombachu and lake Nicaragua. (scroll down to my Life on the Streets post to enjoy the amazing view) 

And don't forget to forge good will by heading over to my creative writing blog. I've posted a subversive Christmas card rant over at The Chorus of the Crows

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all my blogging friends!

My World Wednesday

Image-in-ing

Photo Friday

I'm Soaring!

Red Wings Over Red Wing, Minnesota

The word Soar has such energy and power. I have many pieces of art that depict flying or floating animals and people. I even have an illustration of angels floating over a manger. Now, that would be timely. But floating does not have the energy of soaring. If you ask what super power a random person might pick to possess, it would probably be flying. I know I would. The first place I'd go would be the jagged green Na Pali coast of Kauai. What would you pick?

My favorite part of this illustration is the Lake or River Monster. Did you know that Lake Pepin has a mysterious resident?  Well, it does. Although, I've yet to see it rear its head or flap its tail above the Mississippi. Maybe that's why I love to explore this area so much. You never know...

Soar is the theme for www.illustrationfriday.com this week. 

Happy Holidays artists and illustrators!

There's Something in the Air...

We glided through the canals of Winter Park Florida last March in search of some sights. There were homes big and small lining the shore. We spied fuzzy moss of every length dripping from wise old trees. And to top things off we had a wise ass of a boat driver to give us the low down!  He was living the dream.  Retired in an enviable climate, spending his free time out on the water and flirting with any available white haired ladies that might be on board. He also warned us about that dripping moss.  He told us that if we wanted to take a sample home to stick it in the freezer for a couple weeks.  It is full of chiggars and fleas.  No thanks.

But there was more than moss in the air. This decorated tree caught my eye.  A mini island.

The boat didn't even slow down for the most interesting part of the floating adventure for me. These Anhingas. (or Cormorants)

But I managed to get a few fleeting shots. These island trees are popular perches.  Well, so is Florida.  

 I've thrown a curve ball over at The Chorus of the Crows  Be sure to drop by and catch up on my word play!

Saturday's Critters

Bird d'Pot

Wild Bird Wednesday

My World Wednesday

Image-in-ing

Photo Friday

Life on the Street

This is life on the street in Granada, Nicaragua. Well, I don't see much life. That's because we are on a post breakfast photo safari. And if you are a traveler like me, there is nothing better. What could top a fresh and hearty breakfast, the warm angles of the sun, my steadfast camera, a photo buddy and an exotic locale. Nirvana. I love this photo. I don't know why the flags are flying. But it looks cool. The color of Granada is amazing. 

A dove or a pigeon sits on an antennae. The back drop is Volcan Mombacho. It looms over the Colonial town.

Dean used a local Coyote to exchange some dollars for cordobas. Coyotes are independent money men. Their rate is even better than a bank.

Look at those papayas. Heaven! I love this photo. Real life on the street.

We climbed the church Iglesia la Merced. And enjoyed a red tiled panoramic view of town. The churches in Granada are numerous and architecturally inspiring. 

I'll never forget our first night in Granada. It was New Year's day. We were peeking inside residential homes on our way downtown to eat dinner. On the street, you'd barely recognize them as residences. They are often barred and just narrow slits of street side architecture. Devoid of interest. I guess that's why people paint their doorways with such flamboyant colors. But peek inside, and there could be wonders. You might see tropical indoor gardens, beautifully appointed rooms and spectacular Christmas shrines. It was delightful to see how they lived. We had an amazing steak dinner that night. But the icing on the cake was listening to Christmas songs at a majestic downtown Cathedral. The place was packed to the rafters with revelers. The acoustics were amazing. 

I think the yellow church in the background is the one where we were blown away by a packed to the gills concert.

Volcan Mombacho in the background

I love this photo. I had my camera out, photographing colorful doors and this morning pair walked by. So charming. Now that's life on the street.

And speaking of color, be sure to drop your paintbrush over at The Chorus of the Crows  My latest post is about the color purple. But it's not what you think...

Saturday's Critters

Bird d'Pot

Wild Bird Wednesday

My World Wednesday

Image-in-ing

Wet Naps

My illustration Five Speckled Frogs is part of a new book! Click here to find it on Amazon. It's volume 3. And I'm in volume 2 too. That's old news, but I'm just saying.

 My colorful frogs are also perfect for the www.illustrationfriday.com theme wet. Frogs seem wet even when they're out of the water. They're soft, glossy and well, down right slimy. These frogs are all based on real life tropical frogs. Can you believe it? Nature is so amazing. And they are also representing a classic nursery rhyme.

I love them all.