The Puerto Vallarta Art scene is extensive ranging from public art to private galleries and extensive crafts. I found this delightful sculpture at the Corsica Galeria de Art. This fellow looked like he was commenting on my failure to check on whether the Cafe des Artistes was open for lunch.
Peggy and I were in search of a good place to take her sister Jane and brother-in-law Jim to lunch when they joined us in Puerto Vallarta. Both are quite talented cooks, a fact we have benefited from many times. Since we had fond memories of the Cafe des Artistes, it was at the top of our list. Unfortunately, as we discovered when we arrived, it was closed for lunch. (Whoops.) There was no danger of starving to death, however. Restaurants are rarely farther than a block away in downtown PV. More to the point, we found a couple of top art galleries located right next door: The Corsica Galeria de Art and the Galerie des Artistes. I remembered both from earlier visits. Both galleries welcomed us and told me to take all of the photos I wanted. They were quite open to my blogging about them. Publicity is publicity, right. I’ll start with the art I found at the Corsica Galeria de Art .
These Mexican Chihuahuas caught my attention immediately.I was reminded of these two cuties we found on Puerto Vallarta’s Isla Cuale a few years ago. It appears that the light brown fellow was getting an earful! Maybe he forgot to take the garbage out. Obviously, he cares. Grin. (Actually, he was about to get his ear bitten. Teach him.)The gallery featured several other colorful dogs in three dimension. I’m thinking boxer, here.A profile shot!This one reminded me of a cocker spaniel from my youth.The obvious companion to the sculpture I opened the post with. The shadow seemed a little sinister to me, like an evil twin sister. And what’s with the sort of scorpion, sort of cat, sort of person on her hand? This was one of Peggy’s favorites in the way the eyes, mouth, teeth and tongue stood out, becoming almost real in comparison to the rest of the painting.Peggy also was drawn to this hat with its many feathers. I found it almost surrealistic in its intensity.Are you a person who finds clowns scary? The little girl with her balloon didn’t. The triple chins suggest a bit too much fast food!I liked the colorful bull although the eyes suggest it could have been a member of the devil’s herd in “Ghost Riders in the Sky.” (One of my favorite songs when I was growing up.)Remember Senior Fish Head from my post on the Furniture Mart. This fellow seems to have a similar problem with fish on the brain. I’ll close my section on the Corsica with this sculpture. I found it quite unique. You can learn more about the gallery and its artists by visiting its website: Corsica Galeria de Art
The Galerie des Artistes was immediately down the hill from the Corsica and had a decidedly different feel to it.
I felt that this fellow could have been found hanging out in the woods of ancient Greece.One artist used hot air balloons to connect his paintings. Here the balloon is offering cherries to the bear. Knowing what I know about bears, it is about to gobble them down.This giraffe is either coming out of or morphed into a city, giving a new meaning to the term skyscraper.Alligator with companions on a unicycle? I’ll bet the artist has some very creative dreams. What would Freud say…Mixed medium skull. I’m starting to think Day of the Dead. (Next post)I am not sure whether cat woman is facing forward or backward, but she was colorful. Note the extra pair of arms. I blew this photo up and found bears, owls and rabbits staring back at me. But as you know, I have an active imagination and I am pretty sure that the artist was okay with me seeing whatever I wanted to see.More eyes staring at me. Is that a come-hither pose? Or is it Blake Shelton saying ‘choose me’ on Voice.. And finally, i was quite taken with this collage of floral images. I couldn’t find a website for Galerie des Artistes but apparently the gallery is on Facebook.
That’s it for the galleries, but it is not the end of the story. Peggy and I weren’t finished with our desire to revisit the Cafe des Artistes. So we made reservations and went there for our 28th Anniversary dinner. The ambience was superb, the waiters great, and the food delicious. Each year, Puerto Vallarta has a celebration featuring world-famous chefs and we ended up with one of the top chefs from Mexico City. It was a close to a perfect evening. We had to rely on our iPhone for photos. I had previously left my camera behind in a taxi and we weren’t able to recover it. The phone didn’t do well with capturing colors in the dim light, however, so I have rendered these photos in black and white.
We were greeted with a free drink. Cheers!A free hors d’ouvre arrived at our table next. There were also rose petals scattered on the tablecloth. . I had short ribs in a delicious mole sauce and Peggy had an out of this world duck leg that melted in her mouth.We couldn’t believe it when our dessert arrived on a large mirror platter complete with Happy Anniversary in chocolate surrounded by small dollops of raspberry sauce. A candle lit things up and a large spun sugar heart provided the backdrop! And no, I wasn’t a two-fisted drinker. We had moved Peggy’s glass of wine for the photo. Needless to say, the waiters were well-tipped!
NEXT POST: It’s time for the Day of the Dead. We missed it by a few days, but there were plenty of sculptures and crafts around to remind us of the event. Get ready for some bone-rattling fun.
Haven’t been there in so long. (Nothing like a good regional mole sauce!)
That gallery is amazing. So many delightful pieces – the beer is cool, so are the decorated dogs and the opening sculpture and its’ companion piece.
Congrats and thanks for sharing
It was interesting to me that both Peggy and I had mole sauce, and each was considerably different. The galleries were fun and intriguing. I never tire of the imagination and skill shown by talented artists. –Curt
Some i really enjoyed and was able to appreciate, but other left me flat. One that’s really intriguing to me is the floral images, it (to me) could be flora on a pond scene?
You two definitely know how to celebrate the important events! That dessert looks absolutely fantastic. Bet you’ve added back a few of those pounds you lost on the hike!
They were certainly cute— both in the art work at the gallery and in reality on the Isla Cuale. But I didn’t know about the biting facts. Maybe they get tired of “Oh you are such a cute little guy!” Snap! Thanks for the info, AC. Here’s a question: If you were to get a dog for a pet, what would it be and why. I’m sure that very few people know dogs better. –Curt
You and Peggy find the best art! This time, dogs and humans. Color, creativity, and a touch of the bizarre. Can’t thank you enough for including on your blog since I might never get there to see it in person.
Wandering through Time and Place 
Looking forward already.
And these are phenomenal. I’m a huge art lover.
Too much fun Curt and Peggy. Way too much fun. What a variety of artwork. Thank you. All my best to you both.
Is there any such thing as too much fun, JoHanna? 🙂 We certainly had our share, however. –Curt
Haven’t been there in so long. (Nothing like a good regional mole sauce!)
That gallery is amazing. So many delightful pieces – the beer is cool, so are the decorated dogs and the opening sculpture and its’ companion piece.
Congrats and thanks for sharing
It was interesting to me that both Peggy and I had mole sauce, and each was considerably different. The galleries were fun and intriguing. I never tire of the imagination and skill shown by talented artists. –Curt
Some i really enjoyed and was able to appreciate, but other left me flat. One that’s really intriguing to me is the floral images, it (to me) could be flora on a pond scene?
The nature of art, G! 🙂 Some just humorous and some a bit out there on the creative edge. Wasn’t the floral scene intriguing. –Curt
Yes, it is. I think art is like fine wine – it’s all a matter of taste! haha
Fine dining indeed!
A great journey through art and a lovely dinner at the end.
Yes it was, Gerard. Both were appetizing and satisfying in their different ways! Thanks. –Curt
You two definitely know how to celebrate the important events! That dessert looks absolutely fantastic. Bet you’ve added back a few of those pounds you lost on the hike!
Fabulous, colourful pictures, Curt. I especially like the chihuahuas, but they are all interesting.
Love the Chihuahuas! Did you know that more people get bitten by them than any other type of dog? 😉
They were certainly cute— both in the art work at the gallery and in reality on the Isla Cuale. But I didn’t know about the biting facts. Maybe they get tired of “Oh you are such a cute little guy!” Snap! Thanks for the info, AC. Here’s a question: If you were to get a dog for a pet, what would it be and why. I’m sure that very few people know dogs better. –Curt
A rescue! As we (and our dogs) get older we are very relieved to have Cocker spaniels as lifting them is still possible 😉
Ain’t it the truth! 🙂
Your photos had me thinking of Picasso, Dali, Magritte … and Man Ray!
All of the above. 🙂
Corsica… like our island!!! 🙂
https://myvirtualplayground.wordpress.com/?s=Corsica
🙂 Yes.
Enjoyed it all… again!
Glad. 🙂 Worth revisiting! –Curt
You and Peggy find the best art! This time, dogs and humans. Color, creativity, and a touch of the bizarre. Can’t thank you enough for including on your blog since I might never get there to see it in person.
Being able to share is half the fun for Peggy and me, Rusha. As I am sure it is for you. 🙂
It really is half the fun. In fact, somebody’s gotta see all the photos! And my sons don’t seem all that interested!!!
So true. Our kids are mainly interested in photos that relate to them— although they do follow my blog, so I catch them that way. 🙂 –Curt