Terry Hall Arts

I came across this beautiful vine growing beside the doorway of a shop in Chapala, Mexico about ten years ago.  Photos were taken with the idea that I might like to paint the scene someday.  Well, someday has come, so here it is in glowing pixels on your computer screen or mobile device.

Although I am somewhat of a plant geek, I never knew the name or origin of this vine.  I got curious while doing this project, and an easy Google search revealed that I was painting Thunbergia grandiflora, a semi-tropical vine native to India, China, Nepal, and other eastern locales.  The plant is naturalized world-wide and can be quite weedy.  It also goes by easier-to-pronounce names such as blue sky vine and Bengal trumpet.  You can read all about it on Wikipedia and other sources.

Besides the pretty flowers, I like the bright tropical colors of the Mexican architecture.  I tried to render these colors as accurately as possible.  Here is a photo of the same building showing the orange walls and hot pink trim.  I would say that the shop owners probably like flowers.

Chapala is located on the shores of Lake Chapala in the state of Jalisco.  Apparently a number of U.S. expats have taken residence there.  Lake Chapala is located near Guadalajara, Mexico’s second largest city, so there is access to a good airport and other urban ameneties.

Thunbergia at the Door was painted in artist-grade colored pencil on 100% rag paper and is approximately 14″ x 11″.