LEONARD CLARK BEARDSLEY - 2014 ART: ¨It's the way that we see things that makes the world be things¨

Oversized painted apaste/ceramic 

Greetings to friends, collectors and visitors to Antigua/Guatemala,

¨Convite¨ (costumed street dance) 4´x 4´

I have been working as hard as I can at the foot of the Volcan de Fuego/Guatemala on another collection of art work for me and for you.  

Fuego #1, 4´x 5´ (painted on panel)

During the past year(s) I´ve had several eye surgeries and they scared me. I was afraid that I would lose my eyesight, or have it so lessened, and  I may not be able to continue doing the art that seems to spill from my heart as it gives me great pleasure. Having had seperated retinas in both eyes, different times, was a little daunting. However, I am glad, grateful and plain amazed that I was able to continue to work in my studio between surgeries, post surgeries and during the various times of healing.  I have a very capable assistant, H. Leonardo M., who keeps both keen eyes on me and my sometimes smudges  

Oversized ceramic pot, painted/polurethaned

Helping me see was/is a very good and kind thing and I now have a greater appreciation for the challenges that many with sight-problems face...a very brave lot they are!

¨Carnival¨  4´ x 8', painted on panel

I was helped by several dear friends as my last surgery, past November, was done in a up-to-the-minute fully equipped eye clinic in Northern California. 

Painted table, Orchid chairs

Big thanks to my niece, Jennifer Fisher, for being such a great nurse, eye specialist (bravo Dr. Wendel) locator and  hostess who offered reassurance, transportation and extra comfy accommodations to the coward in me. Thanks to Laura Fisher for being a great companion, chef and personal shopper and thanks to FENIX the giant dog who guarded my bed. Thanks to my longtime friend Kelsie Reed in Orlando who aided me from afar as well as many of you here in Guatemala who helped me during my time of urgency: Elizabeth Bell travel arrangements, Burt Pasternak got me to the airport shuttle and Juan Carlos Castillo, Mark and Illsy Creelman helped me, with eyes dialated, get up to ¨emergency speed¨ organized, packed and up, out and ready for travel!  

Maya Geometric lamps, handmade lampshades

Mil gracias!

Lamps, Wall decor, High table/chairs (set of three), bench

A few weeks ago I was able to get a new pair of glasses, my third  pair, since the eye problems began. I am relieved, and very happy, to report that my corrected vision is better than it has been for quite a long time.  I can see better, work better and my close up work is better than before.  Thank you for your support, each of you and thanks to Letty Manne and Burt Pasternak for the welcome home from surgery party in December!

¨Saints and Sinners¨

Fiesta, lamp and handmade lampshade
(featuring the ¨Gossip Lady¨ and the ¨Mostess Hostess¨

In the past year, at the request of a friend, I revived a style that I once called Maya Cubism.  This collection  largely represents the Maya world around me from several personal views...lots of spiritual and emotional REAL goings on that weave their way, like the vivid tapestries created and merged into my life in Guatemala.  There are many colorfilled cultural, and vividly costumed, customs that are downright dazzling in Guatemala. Most everything here is laced with passion, color and creativity. Among the most exciting folklore events are the carnivals, rituals, shaman ceremonies and ¨convites¨ that are held in many of the villages on a regular calendar for each place.  

36¨ high, ceramic ¨water saver´ painted/urethaned

I witness joyous and festive parades, street parties, costumed/orchestrated street dances and processions often that are complete with bombastic fireworks and color-extravagant ¨fuegos artificiales¨ , incense, drums, flutes and sometimes full fledged marching bands.   

4´ Bench

I believe I have captured much of the mystery, vitality and passion that touches my life in Guatemala with the Maya Cubism and Maya Geometric collections. The pictured pieces are either ¨in work¨ or ¨finished art¨ and I have many others too.  If you would like to see photos just ask.

Looking from above:  Coffee table/round, Ceramic apaste

I am continuing with my ¨pointalism¨  painted furniture (both custom or displayed in the studio as finished), painted ceramics and table decorative accessories plus  NEW lamps (gorgeous new lamps with all custom shades).  I  paint in all the styles I have developed for decades including various landscape texture ideas with all the geometric style accents that people/yo enjoy.  

4´ x 4´ Volcan de Fuego #4

Inspiration appears daily before me thanks to the lushness of the landscape and hospitality of the people in Guatemala. My inspiration comes from all the people, what they do, how they celebrate and cultivate their land and lives in Latin America.  The people of Guatemala and Latin American countries are amongst the ¨happiest people in the happiest countries in the world¨ according to recent surveys...with good reason. 

The Bar, five bar stools, on rollers/moves easily, fully fitted with wine rack, inside/back

Enjoy!

Large Rolling Table (table top view)

This is the update on some of my work.  If you have questions telephone me at country code 502 and cell number 56 56 82 95.  My most longtime email, santosiempre at yahoo dot com and/or  leonardoricardosanto at gmail dot com  (or leave a comment/message here at the blog and I will read it when ¨moderating¨comments).

Leonard Clark/LeonardClarkBeardsley aka Leonardo Ricardo and Len

4´x5´ Volcan de Fuego #5