November colours and Consular Events!

It seems that November is the busiest month for all kinds of events; a flurry of activities before the winter sets in! Apart from National days there are musical and movie events. I missed the German National day in early autumn, as I was in Europe, but I came back just in time for the well attended Turkish National day! The Ambassador to ICAO spoke a few words in Serbian to me, as he had previously been posted in Belgrade.
What really impressed me was the recent "Soirée Lyrique Consulaire", sponsored by the Spanish and Uruguayan Consulates. The competing young Opera singers displayed such incredible talent! It would be hard to choose a winner!
The Italians also held a Soirée musicale that weekend with beautiful Italian arias.
The first Argentinian Consular  Film Festival was a real treat with a very amusing film called "Me casé con un Boludo"; very well acted and humorous. Congrats to the Lovely Argentinian Consul General and her team for organizing a very successful opening with free tickets for the night!
Apart from this, November has been beautiful with many orange/mauve/grey sunsets set against a cerulean sky, which I find particular to this month! That combination of colours inspired one of my paintings 2 years ago, and is slightly present in the new painting I am working on now! I hope to finish it while we are still in November!

Sumptuous colours at Moroccan Celebration

The colours of Morocco are very inspiring to an artist, and those colours were in full view in Montreal for the Moroccan Kings's day! Who needs to travel, when countries comes to them on such grand occasions! It really felt as though we were entering another world as we climbed the decorated staircase and were warmly greeted by hosts in their National regalia.  The beautiful Consul General was dressed in a flowing embroidered silk robe, as well as many of the other ladies present! The meal was a masterpiece to behold, but it was served quite late, though worth the wait for those who did. Everyone was friendly and in a good mood, even though no alcohol was served. All in all, a multicoloured visual treat! I will certainly use some of those colours in my paintings.

Why are we here, the eternal question

Even a Rabbi on TV asked the question of what it's all about! Who can give us the answer?.....Gaugin asked it on one of his paintings....did he answer it with that painting? I guess anyone's answer to the question is valid!
What would a criminal say? The same as an artist or a scientist? Of course religion should give us the answer, but if it did why are there so many religions and why are they all competing?
All there is to do is ask questions and work towards answering them....I think there is a slight answer in my portrait painting of A. I love it so far; there is a purity of character as well as a reserve.
Answers are infinite, but perceptions of them are temporary

Relaxed atmosphere at Egypt's National day celebration

I was surprised how relaxed the celebration for Egypt's National day was! The space was small enough to create intimacy and large enough to host so many people. Everyone was friendly and in a great mood. But most of all, the food was marvellous. It was more than a cocktail! It was a full and plentiful dinner of the tastiest Egyptian specialties. Bravo Consul General, Amal Salama!
Each event I have been to so far has been unique; a small portal to the celebrant Country.
I was happy to invite my lovely Egyptian friend, M, and she certainly enjoyed it.
The next day, I gold plated a small canvas for my next portrait......

So many Consuls, so little time

After each Consular event, the impressions are vibrant and fresh. Writing a blog regularly, takes mental power and a wish to be heard, rather,..read. I just write on occasion, mostly as loose record keeping.
The work that we, Honorary consuls do, is in a way intense and not necessarily rewarded.
 The last few weeks have been busy....the Fête National in Quebec and here in Montreal. It was magnificent in Quebec City with Premiere Couillard and his lovely wife. The scene seemed perfect; mostly because of the weather, ambiance and enthusiasm! It was good to have lunch in one of the many nice restaurants afterwards.

Mayor Coderre was more than generous, both times! He has a warmth and appeal that is sure to get him elected again.

The Greek Consul General was in great form at the Fête nationale reception at City Hall! His language skills are impressive and he has an archaic profile!

I loved talking with the Lithuanian Honorary consular pair...they are so nice...and not to forget the White Rabbit of diplomacy...he draws everyone towards him, and soothes them, like a true violin maker!

Finally,...today I painted! But it was on a commissioned painting for B, which I promised last year! If he only knew how many hours it takes to paint his Ferrari winning Formula 1. Painting cars is something I'm doing for a friend...because my true talent is painting people. But there is a person in the car, and that gives it personality!

I'm really looking forward to the portrait of A.

American Consul General's Party in Montreal today

Wow! It was a lovely experience! The Consul General obviously has some of her priorities and beliefs in the right place! A virtual tour of the Grand Canyon, a small Art exhibit, and most importantly a father and his talented sons in fabulous First Nations costumes; speaking, singing and dancing....how inspiring!  Watching the marvelous Indigenous dancer....what can I say...an otherworldly experience! I have seen similar dancing on T.V., but never in real life! We were all blessed,...but some of the suits there were unaware.
There should be new rules....No more War! All the ways to resolve conflicts between Nations should be, through dance, sports, arts and any other non-violent competition!
Yes, it can be done...and the money spent on Arms can be spent otherwise and people can still MAKE money! Only, not the easy way; but the real entrepreneurial way, the new way: like renewable energy, and peaceful conflict! I think I just invented a phrase: Peaceful Conflict!
In any case, the Americans threw a beautiful and thought-out National Day Celebration. Bravo to those who organized this event and Bravo, outgoing Consul General, Nina Maria Fite!!!
Shall I speak of the other Consuls? There is so much to say...maybe write a blogel? That means blog-novel! Did I invent a new word this time?
But that would take a lot of time. It would be a fictional portrayal of our Consular Corps, and a nice time capsule:...imagine the Consul General with the impenetrable leaf green eyes...the suave Consul  accompanied by exotic beauties...the Grey wolf...the blue-eyed Slavic poet....
All are unique; each one a story, a poem, a person....to be told,..to be painted!

Art and Diplomacy

I was very happy to sign into my blog so easily this time, especially when there is a lot to say! Though, I would need a faster iPad to actually say it all! For now, it suffices to say that as a newly appointed Honorary consul of Serbia to Quebec, I am being kept busy by many consular events, so that I have to find more time to paint and organize artistic events! Art and culture have always been an arm of diplomacy, especially in peacetime! The more we paint, sing and create, the more likely we are a peaceful people! Contests between Nations should be only athletic and based on creativity and inventions that help people....but that is utopia!
I have always liked utopia, and maybe only through art and in art, it can exist!...For now, back to the easel!
All the portraits I have painted have been of artists, inventors, athletes and diplomats! We are all diplomats in our own way, n'est pas?