Who can resist an arch? These arches come from Mexico and New Mexico, and are photographed and painted. The photograph has the slick artiface of reality going for it; the painting has vibrance, texture, depth and interpretation. It’s not easy for me to choose between the image and its painted sibling—and who would dare ask a mother to choose between her children? (Well, besides William Styron.)
Will you help me out and share your thoughts on photographs versus paintings?
Arches in Valladolid, a large city in Mexico’s Yucatán, photographed (left) and painted (right).
Bluebird alighting on an entry arch in Las Trampas, New Mexico, photographed (left) and painted (right).
The view through the opening of a New Mexico mission church, photographed (left) and painted (right).
A door opens mysteriously under its arch, photographed (left) and painted (right).
A woman brings a sole red rose to the Mexico convento, photographed (left) and painted (right). ♣
Inspired by Sue Llewellyn’s A Word A Week Photo Challenge: Arch.
See more photographs from my Mission Mexico gallery here.
To purchase any of these original oil paintings or prints, email me.
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Jann Alexander :: Pairings 
Well, it’s sort of a trick question. With the photo, unless you edit the heck out of it, you have what you see. The paintings have the colors of your inspiration and, as you say, added depth and vibrancy. Both versions are beautiful.
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I Really appreciate your reaction. The photos, though, are limited by what the lens can see, and the human eye can see so much more. The painting is always the after-the -fact take, influenced by memory and style. So being there is really the best part for me. Glad your comment helped me realize that. Thank you, Angeline!
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It is a strong Latin Art & Painting which brings history and cultures together!!
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Both the versions are stunning, Jann. Loved and enjoyed them.
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Thanks, Norma, for weighing in.
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Beautiful work on those paintings! On the photographs too but wow, those paintings! Love!
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Thank you, Maria. Paintings resonate for some people more, don’t they?
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Definitely the paintings, much more colorful. 🙂
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Good of you to weigh in, Dianne, thank you. The paintings do speak in their own voice–I think that’s what moves viewers most about art.
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