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Cabo Artist Chris MacClure "In His Own Words"

Sat, 21 Apr 2007 14:37:05 -0500

The idea of the life of an artist has been romanticized in movies and novels and in fact, it can be a very exciting profession. The reality, of course, is that most artists who begin an art career drop out well before they can realize the �life of an artist�. The long years of study and practice perfecting their craft, coupled with extreme economic hardship is too daunting for most. The �art game� is not for triflers. This is why it is referred to as a calling and not a career. If you have talent, focus, courage and humor you are half-way there. Timing, luck, fortitude and persistence will take you the rest of the way. Few there are that can travel this road and not give it up for a �so called normal job�.

One such traveler who made it is Cabo artist Chris MacClure. A veteran artist of 35 years, Chris opened his studio/gallery, the Golden Cactus Gallery, in Cabo San Lucas in 1997, after spending 6 years traveling back and forth from his studio in White Rock, B.C. There is nothing like information straight from the horse�s mouth, so to speak, so we asked MacClure some questions that might shed some light on art, artists and the art scene here in Baja.

Chris, the life in art is difficult, to say the least. What prompted your choice of this career and what were the most important questions you answered for yourself when you decided to become the artist?

�All children like to express themselves with pencils, crayons etc. up to about the late teens. Usually at that time, other ways to express become more important, so most of the young people drop all their ability to do art. A true artist is directed this way and not other. If life is hard for them at this time, then the life of this artist will perhaps be harder than others. The artist needs to express themselves and economy has nothing to do with it. It is only a matter of eating hamburgers or steak at any given moment.�

What has been the most difficult aspect of your field so far?

�The most difficult aspect of becoming an artist is the separation from mainstream society. All your friends are buying new cars, houses, vacations etc. and this passes you by early in the life of an artist. Once you are aware of this the art becomes even more important and you learn to be content with what you have and what is brought to you. Later in life, perhaps, the monetary rewards are greater. Somewhere along the line of the desire to be that artist, you get up on day and suddenly realize that you are that artist. Your life is surrounded by art and the making of art. It is not something you do in the closet. The ability to say �here I am� to the world and have the wisdom to know and to be humble that you are not great as yet!�

Did you have mentors or others helping you in the beginning?

�Mentorship was not there when I decided to give art a chance as my expression in life. I knew no one personally who was a full time artist. Art as a career has only recently become popular. I try and mentor others now as we all need to see the larger picture, so to speak. I have always been fortunate to have met groups of artists over the years that I can work with and befriend. To share the burden with other artists I believe is a necessity for your own growth as an artist.�

How do you choose your subjects for painting and where does the motivation come from?

�I have no idea as to how I choose subjects. I just suddenly get a glimpse of something and it motivates me to start. Maybe all is just a romantic feeling of something tangible.�

Do you get inspiration from other artists or master artists from the past?

�Around 1967, I used to look through a gallery window in Montreal. There was a portrait artist working from life and I was fascinated by the process. My grandfather was an illustrator back in the 30�s and 40�s, but in those days, one didn�t have the choices we have today. I guess these experiences all inspired me to work in that general direction. It was the end of an era, so to speak, so it wasn�t easy to imagine oneself as an artist.�

When and what brought you to Cabo San Lucas in the first place?

�I came to Cabo as a regular tourist for the first time in 1990. We stayed in a hotel in Cabo and loved the place, so decided to spend more time here. Within 3 years we bought a place sight unseen, off a chalk line, like everyone else was doing at that time and spent long stretches here really getting to know the feeling and of course, painting. We decided to find a way to perhaps stay permanently. One evening, sitting on the Costa Azul beach at sunset, we watched as all was going dark except up on the top of the highest hill we spotted a lone cactus glowing gold against the sky. We made our decision then to open a gallery/studio and call it The Golden Cactus Gallery.�

You have many artists in your gallery, how do you choose who to take in?

�The gallery artists are with us more out of friendship than business. Most of the artists I have known for sometime and have done many shows with over the years. Artists I have met here in Cabo have been with us since the start.�

What�s down the road for Chris MacClure, artistically and business-wise?

�As a full professional artist, the way in the future is dictated by the inspiration. Only time will allow one to understand where we are going and how we express it.�

For 35 years Chris� romantic visions of his world and his art have sustained him throughout his career after attending Concordia University fine arts in Montreal and Emily Carr school of fine art in Vancouver. His style has evolved into what might be called �romantic realism� with his own personal twist. His work evokes an almost Zen-like quality without clutter; simplistic but powerful in its� message and the emotion it gives the viewer. A critic once described his paintings �like reaching out and slapping you gently on the cheek, kind of a wake-up call for one to feel more than what the eye beholds.�

MacClure has amassed an impressive collector list throughout the years: John Travolta, Kristie Alley, Bill Clinton, James Whitmore Jr., BorisYeltsin, The Ford Motor Co. and Pepsico, Frederika Von Stade (Metsoprano) and Don Prudhomme (The Snake) to list just a few.

You can find MacClures� romantic paintings at his Golden Cactus Gallery in Cabo San Lucas, where he paints and meets clients and in the Old Town Gallery in the historic art district of San Jos�. Maybe a poem MacClure wrote many years ago will sum up this interview perfectly;

THE PAINTER

I stand as a conductor, brush in hand
Applying the rainbow best I can.
Storms must come, the rage beset
Not crystallized of you as yet.

Gently you arrive, the light most bright
From the swirl and darkness of the fight.
At last I have freed you, beloved one,
Your radiance flowing, like the sun.

Out of the canvas you arrive,
My second love, materialized.
This love and the first are sisters of grace,
And each in my heart have their place.

Often I try and sometimes I dare,
To create my own love affair.

Chris MacClure

Went To A Garden Party...

Sat, 21 Apr 2007 14:34:09 -0500

The inspiration for this article comes from a recent invitation to attend a �Garden Party�. We hadn't met the host but were informed that he was an avid collector of art and we'd enjoy seeing his collection at his home. Nothing could have prepared us for the magnitude of his �collection�. Obviously he and his family had amassed this body of art over a couple of generations, at least. Every wall from the ceiling to mid-wall was covered with art, magnificently and ornately framed, every square foot of every room in this rather large home, contained a painting. From the moment you entered the house, you were plunged into the art world. The furniture, the artifacts that adorned every niche, that sat on every table and counter were a testimony to the lives that these people had lived. The library had a carved rosewood ceiling commissioned from an artisan in the far east, the front door was carved especially for the host by a Chinese artist and many of the interior doors were similarly commissioned. This was a true �collectors collector� and an incredible experience to view a collection that spanned the four corners of the globe and included many priceless paintings and etchings from the 14th, 15th, and 20th century masters. It was rather like being in some of the castles and estates of Europe but condensed down into a small cottage. We were speechless. This kind of grandeur is passe now in North America except for the few elite rich and famous. But this man was not an elitist nor famous in any sense of the word. He was passionate about art and amongst his collection were works of art from living, breathing artists, some of whom were present at the party. Of course we were curious about his life and what had instilled in him such an awareness of art. He explained that his parents traveled and collected where ever they were and always included him in their art decisions whenever he was present. This gave him the appreciation, education and discernment he carried over into his own life. He continues to buy art and support artists where ever he sees potential, although where he will put the art is a mystery to me. People who complain of a lack of wall space for their art can take a page from this book. Obviously, Andrew is unique in the art field but not a one of a kind. Many collectors amass huge collections because art is not an addiction it's a passion. This passion for art is more common in Europe, where hundreds of years of art history has a head start on America, but it isn't totally absent here. Interest in art can and should be fostered at a young age. Parents are the responsible parties here and if the parent lacks interest, chances are their children will grow up without it. However, all's not lost, somewhere within each of us is the spark that will ignite the flame if nurtured. Art appreciation can be learned and developed without education, classes or tedious, time consuming homework. All that is required is an open mind and heart. When you venture into the art field much of what you believe has to be put aside for the moment. With our eyes we see only the physical manifestation of an object, scene, person or situation. True artists have a developed inner sense that �sees� a different dimension. This is the connective dimension we relate to feelings and intuition, the unseen but very real aspect we all share as human beings. Each artist has a different way of expressing that individually and as a viewer you relate or not depending on how you �connect� to how the artist portrays that. It's really that simple and can easily be conveyed to children who intuitively relate from innocence, if they're allowed to enjoy their feelings. The educational value art brings to children is not to be dismissed lightly. The freedom to discuss how they feel, without having to act out, is very helpful and can give parents great insight into their kids. One way to involve children is to let them decide what art they want for their walls. It could be their own created art or art collected when vacationing with the family. Parents can instill a great deal of responsible behavior in their kids by giving them some money for art purchases as souvenirs while traveling. It doesn't have to be a lot of money, just enough to make them have to make decisions based on budget, taste and discernment. As a family, you can decide on a budget for a piece of art to take back home and everyone has a say in the purchase. Galleries are more than happy furnish backgrounds and biography's on their artists which may help in the decision making. Often they have insight into the painting which the artist has told them and that can help whittle down choices, because decision-making is one of the hardest parts of art purchasing. No time like the present, as they say, so if you're on vacation here with your family, chances are you'll have the time to get started on this journey of self-discovery. Art makes you feel, art makes you think, art makes you question what you think and feel. Art is more like a mirror reflecting back to the viewer how the viewer sees. You don't need a degree in art to appreciate and discover the joy of collecting art for pleasure. Just remember, there are no mistakes, go with your intuition and you'll be fine and well on your way to a wonderful collection. Art bought for decoration alone is two dimensional, but art carefully chosen is a reflection of your life and will not be discarded when you change your d�cor. There is a wonderful and burgeoning art community here and galleries are opening almost daily. We encourage you to explore and enjoy the art produced by Los Cabos' Mexican, American and Canadian artists, remembering that art knows no boundaries or borders, race or religion.

Artful Information

Sat, 21 Apr 2007 14:31:08 -0500

The Internet is an amazing tool. However, I'll be the first to admit that I am still a reluctant participant in this technology, I use it but I do so as little as possible. We have it in our gallery and it is indispensable for business. I think my hesitation is that we may become more and more dependent on its' information for our everyday life. To my thinking, reliance on information alone can take away much of the newness and spontaneity of life and I still love surprises. For example, if this is your first trip to Cabo and you went �on line� and gathered all the information you could possibly use during your trip here, you have probably already discovered that a lot of the information is incorrect, out-dated or not relevant. Armed with your �list of to dos� you could miss other opportunities, or activities that would unfold naturally if you didn't have preconceived ideas of what you wanted from your vacation. Holiday time is a time to renew yourself and try different ways of doing, looking and being. This is the time to let go and experience the joy of just being here. No amount of information can prepare you for the beauty here or the peaceful feeling that comes over you as you descend the stairs of the aircraft to make your way into the terminal; this in spite of being hit with a blast of heat and humidity that comes from being summer in the Baja. Now, you may have all kinds of ideas gathered from �surfing the net� about what you might like to bring home as souvenirs for yourself or others. May I propose that you might like to consider art as a memento of your time here. �I don't know anything about art� is no excuse. Most folks know nothing about cars, but drive them. They may know very little about the Internet but use it occasionally when needed. Most people don't have degrees in decorating, medicine, accounting, gardening or anything else for that matter and yet we all do these things with varying degrees of competency. Fifteen years ago, you'd be hard pressed to find good art in Cabo. The unprecedented growth in Cabo has attracted many professional artists from all over the world. Not only is the landscape inspiring, but the light here is unlike anywhere else. Artists love to paint here and the constant influx of tourists and people moving here is sufficient to keep them painting to keep up. Most art galleries have a wide selection of art to fit any budget. Emerging artists can be a great start for beginning collectors. Their pricing is within most budgets and it's a wonderful way to help artists get going in the market. In addition to original art, the new �giclee� printing process is a wonderful alternative and in many cases looks as great as the original painting, for 1/3 the cost. Art galleries are a resource and can help with questions on style or technique, if that is important to you and give you backgrounds on their artists to help you with the technical aspects of art collecting. In the end, you make your choices based on feeling. Do you love this painting? That's the benchmark for buying art, even pricing is secondary to the joy a painting gives you. This is the criteria that makes art collecting priceless and why it is so important in ones life. One of the other unseen benefits of buying art is the personal stake you have with �your� art. Most items one buys over a lifetime have no real personal attachment. Even so called decoration art, is at best 2 dimensional in a 3D world. If you discover an artist whose work you love, you'll want to follow their career and watch for new works as they're produced. You'll also discover that art is transforming not only for the artist and the way he produces his art, but for yourself as well. You're taste changes over time as circumstances and events unfold in your life. You may end up collecting many different artists over your lifetime as your travels and life takes you different places. Your �collection� becomes a living testimony to your feelings about life. Most art is �impressionist�. It's the artists' impression of what is there. That can branch off into other interpretations with each having different sub-headings: abstract, surrealist, photo-realistic, magical realism, gestural to name but a few and I've included some examples here to explain, but the important point to remember is your perspective. Viewing art without the interference of the human reasoning mind is optimum but failing that, just try to �feel� with your gut. It's not just a �I'll know it when I see it� attitude, it's more just letting the art speak to you rather than mentalizing where, what, how, when or how much. It's a good exercise in non-judgment, just allowing your real feelings to emerge when viewing art throws the spotlight on your inner being. After all, real art comes from the artists' inspiration and that is universal. There are many galleries to visit in the Los Cabos area now, in addition to our own Golden Cactus Gallery in Cabo San Lucas and we're confident you'll find a long lasting memory to take home that won't end up in next years garage sale. San Jose has a wonderful art district, and Todo Santos is 1 � drive up the Pacific although it would be wise to call before hand as many could be on summer hours. Good hunting and enjoy our paradise here.

International Artists Day

Sat, 21 Apr 2007 14:28:04 -0500

October 25th is International Artists Day and it's gaining support worldwide. This grassroots movement is not mainstream as yet but artists and galleries in communities everywhere are jumping on the bandwagon. Perhaps an overview is needed to explain the concept. Artists are a much ignored group although almost anything you use day to day has an artistic design at its root. Throughout history art has been the most important defining characterization of a culture or people. Art survives personalities, dynasties, movements and civilizations. Artists are pioneers and are usually at the forefront of changing times and events. We might well ask why. True art is timeless and universal and recognizable to all. Where does the inspiration for art come from? What makes some art priceless and other art mediocre? The artist themselves are the lynch pins. Art that is inspired comes from the �unexplainable� and is translated by the artist. If the artist is �tuned into� this area of consciousness, masterpiece works in painting, sculpture, music or prose can manifest. There are thousands in the arts over the centuries of this magnitude, they are natural conduits and are household names because of the recognition of their contribution to culture and humanity. The day chosen to honor artists worldwide is October 25th, Picassos' birthday. Why this artist and not another was more a matter recent contribution. Picasso was instrumental in bringing art to the masses more than any other artist up to that time. Picasso is the iconic artist personified. Now more than ever it is important to focus on art and culture. Mainstream television, globalization and the internet are wiring everyone up to the lowest common denominator. True living requires atunement to our common humanity which is accessed through inspiration and the arts. By giving our attention to artists, we have the opportunity for one day to focus on what is eternal and timeless in our civilization. Just as Remembrance Day is important for the pausing to reflect, Oct. 25th can give us a reason to participate in the arts personally. Visit a gallery, attend an art show, take an artist to lunch or visit his studio are a just few ways to stop and remember the artist. Talk to your kids about art, even if you don't think you know much about art, to help instill some interest in art with them. If you're like most people, you didn't grow up with art as an important aspect of living, but �the buck stops here� when it comes to your kids and we need to take more of an interest for their sakes. If you're in Cabo on holiday, or you have a home here, there are galleries and studios here in Los Cabos springing up like mushrooms after a spring rain. There is no better way of honoring artists than to buy some art to take home or spend time immersing yourself in the atmosphere of an art gallery. Think about it, for the price of a dinner at your hotel, you can take home a priceless memory of your vacation and help an artist continue on his journey. For more ways to participate check out the web site: www.internationalartistday.com

Leading The Cabo Art Scene

Sat, 21 Apr 2007 14:24:06 -0500

When the �Influential Leaders in Cabo/Mexico�subject of this issue was announced by our esteemed publisher/editor, I knew right away that this was my opportunity to write about a person I believe has remarkable leadership qualities. In fact, artist Chris MacClure has the quintessential personality traits that define a leader. Notwithstanding the fact that he is my friend and partner, anyone who knows him would concur that he is the archetype of leader. A painter for over 35 years, this self-motivating pursuit has given him a quiet assurance. Being an artist is a survivalist profession. You either make it or you give it up for easier money. It's one thing to paint a picture, quite another to sell it to pay your rent. It's the first years in the professional artists' life that gives expression to the saying �starving artist�. These are the years that test the true resolve of an aspiring artist and it can take many years to develop your art to a place where there is commercial value enough to appeal to the world at large. In this regard, MacClure came out the other side stronger than when he began. Chris' natural strengths of character were honed over these learning years and because he was resilient, resourceful and astute, he recognized early on that an artist needs to �pay their dues� for the privilege of being able to survive in the art game. Thanks to a delightful down-home humor however, there's a wonderful compassion that oozes from him like filtered light. It takes �being there� yourself to understand the road that others travel. A video crew came to Cabo to document his life as an artist and he was quoted as saying �An artist can go to art school and learn some techniques but it's actually living the life of an artist that gives you the direction your art will take and makes of you - the artist�. Timing and luck are tools of the gods and when MacClure landed in Cabo in the early 90's, his strong instinct gave him a vision that he would work on diligently until it's fruition. Leadership is a natural-born quality. Some people can rise to the occasion, still others are born to lead. Chris' background from the Maritimes on the east coast taught him that hard work, steadfastness and tenacity pays off. However, he always likes to say �you'll never get success without a little help from your friends�. An epiphany came sitting on the beach at Costa Azul in San Jose in '92, Chris' vision for a studio/gallery became a reality when the sun set behind him and the last rays of the sun were lighting up a solitary cactus on the hill. The cactus was illumed with a golden hue and right there his Golden Cactus Gallery was born. Although art is by it's nature is a solitary pursuit, MacClure always had a cadre of artist friends of like mind and throughout his career, he was always organizing shows, events and fund-raisers to help promote art in any way he could. When MacClure decided that Los Cabos was �the� place to begin a new venture, he knew he would not make it without a little help from his friends. The potential for tourism at that time was just hitting it's second wave and he knew that the special feeling Cabo offered and it's spectacular beauty would soon bring the world to it's door. Artists have a sixth sense about these things and always the mainstream follows them. The paperwork required to open a business in Mexico is daunting. Setting up a gallery in a foreign country, without speaking the language and having only the rudimentary materials available; (because at that time there was no Home Depot and any of the few hardware stores were usually understocked and waiting for the next shipment), was anything but a cake walk. Chris overcame all that and more with humor and a doggedness beyond belief, he opened the studio in Oct. '97 and he knew it wouldn't be long before other artists would come knocking at the door. The �if you build it they will come� philosophy that he always lived by, even before it was a popular slogan. A leader has the ability to see greatness in others. MacClure has an innate ability to see the talent and potential in other artists and he is always willing to help them fulfill their dreams, if he can. When Mexican artists Fernando Tames and Enrique Ortega came to the gallery shortly after he opened, Chris knew that these were two professional artists that would work well in the gallery. Within a couple of years, the gallery attracted some of Chris' other artist friends from Canada and the States. Even with busy professional lives in the art and print industry, all of them make the pilgrimage to Cabo for extended periods. Artists work where ever they are and Cabo is better than most places. Because of Chris' vision and ability to inspire others, everyone benefits and he believes that the gallery is strong because of it's artists and the mutual respect they have for each other. Leadership requires inspiration and the ability to work for the whole picture, rather than its' parts. MacClure has an amazing ability to motivate and bring out the best in those he choses to work whether he's teaching, being the �boss� or working with the business community here in Los Cabos. Even when engrossed in the daily chores of running the �gallery business� he never loses the creative drive that sends him to the easel to paint what inspires him most, the people and landscapes of the Baja. His paintings reflect his zen-like approach to his life: quiet, unassuming, uncluttered yet poignant and peaceful. Sometimes inspiration can be so right on that just one of his defining paintings, like the Hotel California, can speak volumes to a whole generation. In any case, don 't just take my word for it, visit Chris at the Golden Cactus Gallery and see for yourself. He's usually there 7 days a week, second floor on the corner of Guerrero and Madero in old town Cabo San Lucas. As a wise sage once said, �you can't tell the measure of a person until you see what they create for the world.� Oct. 25th is International Artist Day, it's Picassos' Birthday and celebrates the contribution artists have made throughout history. You can celebrate in many ways: visit a gallery or artist studio, take an artist to lunch, attend an art show or participate in any way that helps give homage to artists worldwide. Check out the website for more ideas www.internationalartistday.com

Art gets straight to the heart of the matter

Tue, 13 Feb 2007 16:39:23 -0600

Trying to describe Los Cabos is like trying to describe water or sunshine-you have to experience it because words and even pictures don't quite capture the essence. Much of life can be so lived on the surface of things that we lose touch with the importance of how we are feeling and relating to our experiences. The pace of our lives can be almost frenetic with our "to do" lists that stretch far into the future and our world filled with gadgets that we use to save us time. Time we use mostly to give us more "stuff" to do. Hopefully on your vacation time here, you can use some of that time to discover something new about yourself you didn't know before, in addition to the famous Cabo pastime of just relaxing and basking in being. Holiday time is the time for renewing yourself-inside and out. We watched a charming little film awhile ago about a young man who was born with a disfiguring disease. He had a beautiful soul and personality in spite of his difficulties, but of course most people in his world recoiled at how he looked and never took time to know him. He fell in love with a woman who was born blind and naturally, not being distracted by his looks, related to his whole being because what she loved about him most was his ability to give her an inner sight into everyday things. For instance he'd put cotton balls into her hands and while she was touching and feeling the puffs of cotton, he would describe fluffy clouds which she'd heard about but couldn't "picture" with her mind, having never seen a sky or clouds. He did this with everyday objects to describe colors, things and ideas and she was in total glee for the first time in her life. No one had the insight to do this for her before and her world opened up because of his inspiration. Most people take for granted the gifts of sight, sound and touch not realizing that these are the tools our soul uses to delve deeper into the issues of life. Artists know this on an intuitive level and use these to create what we can't articulate with words. Throughout history, artists have been the chroniclers of the human condition. The myths, heroes, tender feelings, beauty and history of mankind are all hanging in the great museums and galleries of the world. True artists tap into the heart of the matter and can render a touching moment, a beautiful landscape or everyday objects and situations into timeless pieces of art. A photograph will capture the 3D scene adequately, but it takes the eye of an artist to transform a mere image into an art form that will inspire and give real meaning to the viewer. Once you discover that special "feeling" that Cabo has to offer, you might want to think about how you can take some of that feeling back home with you to enjoy always. A painting that touches you is something of which you never tire. Vacation time is the perfect time to haunt galleries and studios looking for that special piece that will bring you that "peace" when you see it. Other mementos are usually stored away after a time, or put in albums to be taken out occasionally, not so a work of art which will be there for you to enjoy every day. Our wanderlust first brought us to Los Cabos in 1990 and when we opened our Golden Cactus studio/gallery in old town Cabo San Lucas, in 1997, there was virtually no art scene here. Now, with Cabo having been discovered by the world, many other artists have moved here from the States, Canada and other parts of Mexico to open artist studios and galleries everywhere in Los Cabos. There is a wonderful art district in old town San Jos� just a mere 30 minutes from Cabo San Lucas. Todo Santos is somewhat further, about an hour and a half away by car, where some expat artists have discovered the laid back attitude there inspiring and opened up studios and galleries. If collecting or buying fine art hasn't been a priority in your life, now would be a good time to begin to explore a fascinating and rewarding activity that you can continue adding to at home, or on other vacations. Vacation time permits you the time to scour studios and galleries to find that perfect painting of that sunset you watched, or the desert at dawn or any other memory you've experienced, to take home with you. We encourage parents to include their kids, as this is a much neglected part of most peoples' education in life. Art appreciation begins at home with parents who can help instill the interest and even help their children begin their own collections. Giving a small amount of spending money to be used to buy art for their rooms is a good start. As artists and gallery owners, it is our pleasure to answer and encourage questions about our art and artists, as do most reputable galleries. Art is not only for the elite and is more important than language as the common denominator of people and cultures. (observe the Tender Moment painting by Brent Heighton and experience motherhood in any culture) There is so much to discover about yourself through the art that attracts you and you have the added bonus of taking home a slice of Cabo life.

Creative spirit of Cabo not for sale

Tue, 05 Dec 2006 13:35:29 -0600

The overall theme of this issue of Destion is really poignant and pertinant to where things are heading here in Cabo. If you were fortunate enough to have been here as far back as the '80's or '90's, the feeling in Los Cabos was very strong and noticable. The feeling of well being and 'peace' here radiated everywhere and was made even more evident by the absolute lack of it anywhere else. During most of the 90's that feeling predominated and is probably more responsible for the path that has been beaten to Los Cabos doorstep than even the beauty or the weather, which are great on their own. The tip of the Baja is like an island, cut off from civilization. Only one road down, and hundreds of miles of it wind through pristine landscapes unmarred by telephone poles and hydro lines. The silence is awesome. However, great secrets can't be kept and now the world has discovered our oasis in the desert. With this discovery comes the mass of humanity that could take away this precious pearl and replace it with a knock-off replica. Individually, we have a responsibility to preserve this jewel. We have choices and we need to excercise our discretion in how we conduct ourselves for the good of our paradise. Do we want just another "tourist mecca" with all the problems that brings, or is there a way to share this gem with the world and yet not take onboard the mediocrity that inevitably follows a mass influx of people into an area. The population is exploding here with retirees, workers, entrepreners, vacationers and folks wanting to start businesses and live here at Land's End. This is well and good, but we have to keep in mind that the reasons for wanting to be here have to be held uppermost in mind and conduct ourselves accordingly. Everyone is looking for a gentler lifestyle, one that slows the pace, eases the heart and feeds the soul. The responsibility for the peace here in Cabo rests on our shoulders. We are responsible for the quality of the life we want here. We need to ask ourselves if we want to live in just another city with great weather or do we want the unique experience of living in a foreign country with great people and a different culture to explore and learn about. We all contribute daily to the overall happiness, peace and abundance of Los Cabos, however the backbone of any culture are its artists, philosophers, writers, architects, engineers, artisans and all the individuals who bring in the "unseen" heart and feeling dimension to communities. Do we support those who live here and contribute every day, in their own way to life here or do we take the expediant way out for ourselves. The kind of world we want here is one we will create for ourselves by our choices. We only have to glance up north to realize we're not too far behind here. Globalized companies, the media, mega box everything and business in general will have you believe that saving money is a religious experience. Mass produced items by some offshore manufacturer will save you money to be sure but at a very high price to your neighborhood artisans and businesses. Paradise is people who are happy to be where they are and create out of that well-being feeling. The one time tourist who lands here may not care too much where his souvenir comes from, he'll buy whatever is served up. But if you live here, have a second home here or just come every year for your time share, you'll want to preserve the uniqueness you feel here and contribute to it by supporting your local artists, artisans, tiendas (shops) and galleries. Everyone knows the convenience of one stop shopping at your box store and it's fine to occasionally partake of that, but remember to include your neighborhood businesses when shopping and in fact, go out of your way to support local, everyone will benefit. Author Ayn Rand wrote a book in the '40's called Atlas Shrugged. The gist of the book was that society had become indifferent to the inspired and creative individuals responsible for keeping everything together and who were underpaid, overworked and their contribution to society largely ignored. The masses of humanity had no idea of where anything was coming from, they took for granted all the inventions, everyday products and devices, architecture, art and beauty created by these inspired souls. Fed up with the abuse, lack of recognition and financial support, the creative people all stopped doing what they were doing and virtually went on strike. Society fell apart; rapidly. It is usually artists, writers, and artisans who are the pioneers to any new hot tourist spot. Before long, this creative energy is picked up by the entrepreneurs, builders, architects and engineers and soon business moves in to support the growth that is inevitable. This growth can be creative and exciting or "just business". Without the tempering heart-beat of a creative spirit, the results of unprecedented growth is not a pretty sight. Creativity is the driving force behind the feeling here in Los Cabos. We are encouraged to nurture this energy and keep it alive by supporting the culture and arts here in any way we can. Shop for "made in Mexico" or local handicrafts, pottery, clothing etc. and of course buy art by Los Cabos artists. As we are each unique individuals, our taste is likewise personal and if we let inspiration guide us, we can be led to discover some interesting things about ourselves through our choices. Collecting art here or buying art for your home, is one exciting way to contribute to your own creative spirit, help the artists in the process and contribute to the overall creativity of Los Cabos. Cabo can continue to stay creative and exciting by the deliberate choices of the people who live here. Money, like everything else in this world, is only a thought, idea or concept-- in reality. People give all things their value and hopefully our lives are not just lived on the bottom line. Mediocrity will only come in the door if we open it.

Artists, Authors & Musicians

Thu, 14 Jul 2005 14:05:07 -0500

An archetype is a universal idea or concept, un-manifested as yet into visible form. A true and gifted artist can render, through the medium of paint, music, sculpture or prose, a less than perfect but nevertheless a reasonable facsimile which would suggest this eternal idea. Any person, anywhere would relate to such a piece of work, whether they were aware of the intent behind its creation or not. Most artists, in fact, would probably not even know themselves that they had touched a universal chord, until after the fact. Truly inspired art is never contrived and when this perfect note is struck it surprises the artist as much as anyone. Because the nature of inspiration is so elusive, this occurrence is rare for most artists although there have been thousands in the course of history where this has transpired many, many times. For example, Leonardo da Vinci, Michaelangelo, William Blake, Rembrandt, Rubens, just the tip of the iceberg creativity-wise but in our present time, recognized all over the world as inspired artists. In their time, of course they were celebrities within their own immediate circle of influence. Had telecommunication been available then, they would have reached global celebrity status and reached a much wider audience even though they have done that in modern times because of the advent of mass media, and electronic technology. Painters in our modern world are now faced with a great opportunity to share some of their inspired visions with the world in general through originals, lithography, Gicle� fine art iris prints, and the internet exposure. Inspired art doesn�t come everyday and when it does, everyone wants to share it. Without the opportunity to reproduce their master works visual artists are not able to share to the degree that musicians or authors can. Through recording companies, musicians can get their message out through videos or CD�s, which reproduce their music for a global audience. The original score is retained by the artist and copyrighted, but the music can be enjoyed by millions. Authors, in the same way, introduce their work to the world at large through world-wide professional publishers. Because of the inroads that musicians and writers have made, it is now possible and acceptable for painters to use the same criteria that these other artists have enjoyed. 21st century art, in general, will undergo tremendous transformation as technology becomes more fine-tuned. This is well and good and will benefit collectors and artists alike. Art has become available to everyone and through the medium of fine art printing, artists can reach a wider audience with their work. Reproductions give the artist the time to do better and more inspired work and even printing technology has progressed to the point where the quality sometimes surpasses the image. However, even professional artists know that not every painting is a masterpiece and needs to be replicated. The fine art publishing market is as varied as the recording and publishing industry and quality can range from a corner grocery store copy machine to the finest continuous tone large format printers. Professional artists tend to use canvas or paper and inks that will best replicate their original work and take pride in the quality they can achieve in their reproductions. Internet technology has opened a new door for artists as well. Now artists can have a presentation of their studio to the world at large. The applications for fine art are as infinite as the taste and style of the artist. In honor of all artists and their contribution to societies throughout the world, a special day, October 25th has been officially designated as INTERNATIONAL ARTIST DAY � (Pablo Picasso�s birthday). If you would like more information please check the official web site: www.internationalartistday.com We encourage everyone to participate everyday in honoring artists by visiting galleries, studios and collecting art for enjoyment and inspiration.