Cuba Blues

02Apr
by Cherryl

So yes, I have been painting since those painting lessons last year, building up supplies, dabbling and experimenting with it all!

I did say I’d probably share some related posts so here’s one to start with – inspired by the photograph below, using acrylic paints.

 

I always say ‘inspired by’ because I’ve decided not to try and force my paintings to look exactly like the photo, where I’ve tried to do this – sometimes it ruins the piece (for me), from trying too hard, and the joy of the process is lost. I prefer to just go with the flow and let it be whatever it turns out to be (though sometimes this approach doesn’t end well lol, but that’s ok, it’s all just for fun)!!!

A lot of art just hints at an image, place or scenario without clearly defining it – sometimes that’s the beauty of it….anyway enough of the artsy talk 🎨

Photo: A beach on the Varadero strip, Cuba.

Most of the paintings I’ve done so far are based on photographs I’ve taken and collected over the years – so if the painting gives me fond memories and takes me back to that time and place then it’s a personal success for me.

I’ll be trying to catch up on as many of your blog posts as possible today…..well overdue!! 😉

Wishing you all happy blues – and a great week ahead x 🤗🔆💙

38 thoughts on “Cuba Blues”

  1. maristravels – Isle of Wight – There are still some countries I haven't seen and some things I haven't done and won't do now (like trekking in Nepal) but I've covered a fair bit of the globe as a traveller. I've been a professional travel writer, blogger, and photographer for some years now, love cinema, theatre, books and art. I try to cover these subjects in blogs when they crop up in my travels. I live in the UK and these days I travel mainly in Europe and Asia.

    maristravels

    You brought Varadero Beach back to me vividly. I can’t recall it exactly but the vibe is right, so you’ve sold your painting to me! I’ll catch up with some more posts now.

    Reply
  9. Rosaliene Bacchus – Los Angeles - California - USA – I was born in Guyana, a former British colony on the northern coast of the South American continent. As the only English-speaking country on the continent, Guyana's historical, cultural, and economic development is linked with the Caribbean Region and is a founding member of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). In 1987, I migrated with my husband and two sons to Fortaleza, capital of the northeastern State of Ceara in Brazil. For fourteen years, I worked as an import-export manager. My sons and I migrated to Los Angeles, Southern California in the USA, in October 2003. After migrating to the USA, I started writing articles about international trade issues and US-Brazil trade, as well as fictional short stories. As a form of self-therapy, I began working on a novel. You can learn about my journey as a writer on my author’s website. My debut novel, Under the Tamarind Tree, was released in August 2019. You can learn more, read reviews, and purchase a copy on my author’s website at Under the Tamarind Tree: A Novel by Rosaliene Bacchus. My second novel, The Twisted Circle, the story of a young nun’s journey to self-determination in a patriarchal church, was released in August 2021. I am currently working on my first book of creative non-fiction.

    Rosaliene Bacchus

    Beautiful painting. Filled with lots of tropical sunshine. Thanks for the follow 🙂

    Reply
  10. Ellie Carpenter – United Kingdom – Writing my memoirs, musings, a little fiction and a lot of poetry as a way of exploring and making the most of my life ... ... Having had a break from writing my blog for more than three years, I decided to return to write my memoirs, some day-to-day observations, views and feelings. My passion is non-fiction poetry. I have a disability and use an electric powerchair called Alfie and let nothing get in the way of living life to the full. I believe that you can never do a kindness too soon and should give credit where credit is due. A smile or a kind word could make the difference between a good or bad day for a person - we never know what's going on for another soul. Those little things, perhaps, practised daily like a mantra, could mean so much to someone else. Thank you for visiting my blog and reading a little more about me. Please, make yourself at home here. You are very welcome. Ellie x 😊

    Ellie Thompson

    Your paintings are really good, Cherryl. I really like the contrast between the vibrant green leaves, the vivid blue of the sky and the almost white sand. Cuba looks like a beautiful place. I’ve never been there, but then I haven’t been anywhere, unless you count Benidorm on my honeymoon, too many years ago to admit to! I love that you are painting things that feel right to you. It’s as much about enjoying the process as it is about the end result. Keep at it, Cherryl. Xx 🌞💕

    Reply
    1. Cherryl – UK – This and that, an all rounder!! If it amuses, entertains, inspires or proves useful to just one person then it's doing its job! God bless x 💛🔆🌴🎨🌼✈️

      Cherryl

      I probably mentioned in an old post that locals in Cuba seemed to hate Varadero and it does have a bit of a reputation for being the least Cuban part of Cuba, a tourist trap of beaches and resorts, not the real Cuba. You may not be missing much in that respect lol. Nevertheless, I enjoyed spending the last part of my trip there just to relax – you can’t beat a bit of beach right! 🌴x

      Reply
  12. Ambica Gulati – India – Ambica Gulati is a journalist and cultural essayist with 26+ years of experience crafting stories that open minds and linger with readers. Her work spans travel, environment, world affairs, and visual storytelling—told through words, images, and film. She’s shaped content across formats: daily journalism, long-form features, magazines, newsletters, and coffee table books. Her writing has appeared in Outlook Traveller, Swagat, and Life Positive, grounded in research and narrative integrity. Through her independent platform, Queen of Treasures, she curates slow journalism and visual essays that explore ecological concerns, global currents, and emotional truths beneath visible worlds. She believes writing is both discipline and serendipity—like water shaping stone.

    ambica gulati

    You got the sky perfectly.

    Reply
  14. 100 Country Trek – Hello. Nice to meet you. My journey to cover as much of the world as possible began in Costa Rica in 2003. This is a story in itself, but for now I'll tell the short version . On a hike around Manuel Antonio I started chatting with a fellow hiker from Belgium. He told me he had a trip planned to visit Borneo within a few weeks of his return home. He then went on to say he had been to at least fifty different countries. That was when the travel bug bit me. I haven't stopped going since and the journey has been so incredible . It is here that I will share some of the incredible travel experiences .

    100 Country Trek

    Such an amazing site.

    Reply
  15. windowcolquhoun810 – An aspiring freelance writer, my dream is to become a published author here in Australia and of course, globally. Being a people-person, I love meeting and engaging with individuals and my writing interests therefore are more inclined towards real-life people, their stories, issues and anecdotes. I do however, dabble in fiction as well. My interests and hobbies range, in no particular order, from reading (of course), writing (naturally), movies, power-walking, dancing, music (I couldn’t live without music), fashion (admittedly, my downfall!), animals, ten-pin bowling, correspondence, stage musicals, socialising, cooking, badminton, comedy shows, sci-fi, stage drama and inspirational people and their stories. Having a curiosity in practically everything, my interest is often piqued whenever I meet new people and learn what makes them tick. So do drop me a line, and if a particular post appeals to you or you can either relate to it or find it intriguing, interesting or inspiring, please let me know via the comment box. And of course, please ‘follow or subscribe,’ to my web-log if you like my style of writing. Happy reading! Wendy Robinson

    windowcolquhoun810

    I can almost feel the windswept trees and the cool breeze. I haven’t been to Cuba as yet! 😉

    Reply
  16. catterygirl – London – I am 73 years old and have done many things in my life, such as being employed in The City of London for several years, starting as a shorthand-typist and working my way up to Assistant Company Secretary. I have lived abroad for certain periods in my life as my father was a petrochemical engineer. I lived in Trinidad at the age of 11 and we moved to Kuwait when I was 14. When the contract in Kuwait finished, we drove home to England by car, which was an adventure in itself, worthy of another book. I am a true Brit, married to an Arab, with a 29 year old son and we had a holiday villa in Spain for many years. In 2002, we moved to the villa and when our savings ran out, we designed a boarding cattery from scratch and I am now writing a book about the experience. Whilst running the cattery, I was approached by the Euroweekly News to write articles about cats. I wrote many articles about cat behaviour, grooming, general cat care and then progressed to write the A-Z of cat breeds. In earlier years, I attended creative writing classes and have written many short stories and am working on a novel set on panother planet. This book “Planet Zu Tu” is about what happens to us when we die. I love to read and am buying lots of books as mine are in storage and I feel lost, without lots of books around the home. I am currently reading lots of Mills and Boon as I might write a romance one day. I have started one already about a young woman who breaks her leg and falls in love with her surgeon.

    catterygirl

    Lovely and tropical looking.

    Reply
  17. Awakening Wonders – Everyday life is filled with wondrous things and embraceable moments, but only if we allow ourselves to be fully awakened. I invite you to join me as I share passionate life adventures and ramblings that awaken my spirit. I look forward to awakening your senses to the simple, joyous wonders that are all around us. I feel that we are destined to become soulful adventurers!

    Awakening Wonders

    Reminds me of tropical vacations!

    Reply
  19. NattyTravels – Hi! I'm Natalie a solo traveller who is on a journey to travel to as many places as possible even if it means doing the whole thing alone. It was never a plan to travel alone, however I have found myself to be in this situation. It has now become my mission to encourage people to travel and live life to the full, regardless of the situation their in. Get inspired and follow me on this sometimes frightening but magical journey. You will frequently see links in my posts where I recommend some very useful cool items at my Amazon store https://www.amazon.co.uk/shop/nattytravels17

    NattyTravels

    This is such a great piece of art. Those lessons have clearly paid off. Congratulations to you!👏🏾

    Reply
  21. Sheila Landry Designs – Meteghan River, Nova Scotia, Canada – I am an artist and designer of decorative painting patterns, woodworking patterns, needlework and embroidery kits and patterns, and original artwork. My Painting and Wood Surfaces for Decorative Painting is at my "Tole Painting Designs" Website My partner Keith Fenton and I sell our scroll saw patterns at our Scroll Saw Pattern website: "Sheila Landry Designs" My needlework patterns and supplies are available at my Etsy shop: "The Stitching Kitty"

    Sheila Landry Designs

    I really like your paintings, Cherryl. It is wonderful when we do something close to our hearts. Your attitude toward your paintings is perfect. They are lovely. 🙂 Have a great week!

    Reply

Leave a ReplyCancel reply