View of the Presa from El Charco     L. Topinka

The rainy season here in San Miguel hit with a vengeance in June while we were both away but the landscape continues to tell the story with an explosion of greens.  A couple of weeks ago we painted from the Four Winds Plaza at the botanical garden, El Charco del Ingenio.  Although we were not more than 10 feet apart our paintings are very different…Linda faced west toward San Miguel and I faced somewhat southeast overlooking the presa.

This very solid looking dam of the Las Colonias reservoir dates from 1902. It and the iron tube, now disconnected, were built to send water to Fabrica La Aurora, a textile factory, and there used to generate electricity. Since the iron tube runs right by my garden wall, I feel particularly connected to this part of San Miguel history.

Photo from El Charco website

A picture of the flow over the dam during the rainy season. At other times of the year, the presa can completely dry up as the reservoir is no more than two meters at its deepest.   This year we had exceptionally heavy rains in June with little since then.  Most years we average 22 to 26 inches for the entire rainy season and in a few days in June it has been reported that we had about 20 inches.  Below this dam is another smaller and older dam and reservoir, Presa del Obraje.  The Arroyo below both dams is the major path for water through San Miguel and in times of heavy rains there can be flooding.

Both of us were challenged by the range of greens in the landscape with Linda redoing her painting later.  Here are both of her interpretations of the deep canyon, the overabundance of greens, and San Miguel in the distance.  The first one was done plein air from the Four Winds Plaza and the second from a photo later.  I suggested that she include both for you, the viewer, to enjoy.

View (plein air) from the Four Winds Plaza at El Charco       L. Whynman

View from Four Winds Plaza at El Charco     L. Whynman

© 2018 Lorie Topinka All Rights Reserved