S. Martinho do Porto

Watercolor

TWILIGHT, Baleal, a Norte

30 x 40 cm Papel Garza, not, 300 gr.
Watercolor by Helder Frazão Vieira

Light!

Watercolor on Saunders waterford 300 gr. 56x25 cm
By Helder Frazão Vieira

After the summer

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watermedia sobre papel 15x20 cm

Open sky salt mine, after summer harvest.



Salt mine

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Salinas, Rio Maior, Portugal

Watercolour, 6'x8'

Rio Maior has been exploring for centuries a curious set of rock salt mines, the unique in the interior of the country.

Millions of years ago, the sea has receded a lot and probably a lake ended up drying, becoming a salt mine where the salt is seven times more mineralized than in the coastline.

Tagus River

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A simple sketch, trying to get the cool feeling of the day.

Nations Park, Lisbon, by the Tagus River.

In the background there's one of the longest bridges in Europe, Vasco da Gama bridge, a total about 17,2 Km, and 12,3 Km over water.

SÃO MARTINHO DO PORTO, overcast afternoon (18:30 TMG)

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Watercolour 28 x 9 cm

How many stories this walls could tell...

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Watercolor 14 x9 cm



Capturing the last light

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July light.
The sun was going down behind the mountain.
I had only a few minutes time to register the moment.

PLEIN AIR ARTISTS 2011

"Choosing from nearly 1,900 member artists on pleinairartists.ning.com, this video highlights some of the best we have. This is a sequel to "Plein Air Artists 2009" and features a new group of artists".
Video produced by Don Maier


I was one of the chosen artists to be featured in this video.

Considering they have 1,900 members, I am very proud to be included with so many great artists from around the world.

( I appear at 4:48 )


If you haven't visited this site, please do so and enjoy it.

MY SPECIAL FRIEND

This is my traveling buddy and constant painting companion.

MORNING LIGHT

Oil on panel 11' x 14'
Óbidos Lagoon
Early morning, low tide and very light wind from the south.
The boats seem to all align in one direction due to the wind.
This is a lagoon of salt water and it smells like the sea.
Everything is so quiet.
Just me and mother nature...

Salinas Rio Maior

I started this drawing for no reason but only because of the beauty of the plant and before I knew it... voilá!

Drawing is very rewarding, isn't it?

NAZARÉ by the sea

watercolor sketch 8' x 5' 3/4

Last September, a little chilly by the sea.

PATH BY THE POND

Mixed media 8' x 5' 3/4

Very sunny day. Even in the Winter, sometimes  there is beautiful sunny days around here.

ÓBIDOS LAGOON



mixed media 8' x 5' 3/4 (20x15 cm apr.)

Me and the silence of the wind and the seagulls.

PENICHE 16th CENTURY FORTRESS

It was once used as a prison controlled by dictator Salazar's secret police to incarcerate political opponents and today houses a museum about local history.

From my Garden

São Martinho do Porto

The bay of São Martinho do Porto is a beautiful place to go for a walk and a beer.

Fishing Day

Last weekend I've been sketching here and there and selected this thumbnail sketch to do a painting.
At weekends there is always a bunch of people fishing at Foz do Arelho beach, which is the point where Óbidos Lagoon meets the ocean.