Haitian art is well-known for it's colorful folk compositions and respected throughout the world. Despite their hardships, the Haitian people are regarded as very artistic craftspeople making beautiful baskets, embroidery, potty, papier-mache and metal work. They also make beautiful flags often used in their voodoo rituals. Many Haitian artists have become world renowned and their work is collected by prestigious galleries and museums around the world.
These paintings are part of a collection of paintings that the Pasternak family gathered while working in Haiti. See the Devils Gulch Ranch post to learn more about their farm and their work in California and Haiti. The artwork is also available for sale though their website - most paintings cost between $150 and $250. www.devilsgulchranch.com
Since there are very few tourists in Haiti, many artists asked them to take the paintings tothe USA to reach a larger market. The Pasternaks hope to use some of the profits to help support economic enhancement projects in Haiti. Currently, Myriam is working on sustainable agricultural development projects, composting, sewing center and village development, such as water systems, schools and libraries.
Haitian Fruit Vendors in Black & White
This oil on canvas Haitian painting measures 23 ¾” x 20 ¼” and depicts a stylized market scene in black and white. The people are fruit vendors passing the time while awaiting customers.
The artist, Jean Maxen, is in his thirties and resides in Cap Haitian, a large resort town in northern Haiti. Painting is his passion and he hopes to make a living at painting and selling paintings for other artists. When I met Maxen, all his paintings had been pawned to pay the tuition for his two children to attend school last Fall (2007). We paid the pawn fees and received several paintings in exchange. Now he is anxiously trying to sell the rest of his paintings in preparation for next year.
Haitian Voodoo Painting
This oil on canvas painting measures 20”x 24” and symbolizes the two faces of man (good and evil) and the importance of voodooism in Haitian life. The snake, the bell, the vessel, the moon and the woman are powerful voodoo symbols. These are superimposed on the Haitian flag as a symbol of pride.
Jean Nesly Saint Croix is in his thirties and lives in Cap Haitian with his wife and young son. He is an agronomist and is currently helping to develop an agronomy program at a school for boys rescued from the streets. Painting is a hobby that he enjoys when he can get art supplies.
Village Market by the Sea
This oil on brown canvas painting measures 40”x 30” and depicts a time when Haiti was lush and prosperous. The forests are teaming with fruit and the Flamboyant tree is in full bloom. The houses are thatched (now days they are corrugated metal) and the market place is bustling with activity. Boats can be seen on the ocean in the background. The artist is Myrvil Pierre from Cap Haitian, a resort town in the north of Haiti.
This oil painting measures 39 ¾”x 31” and appears to have been painted on a piece of tablecloth.
This painting represents the great efforts that many Haitians must go through to get water to meet their daily needs. While this village is close to a river, many people must hike for several miles to find springs, carrying the water in clay jars or recycled plastic oil jugs. With water being scarce, animals, such as the cow in this scene, are brought to the water source only once or twice a day. It is rare to find paintings in Haiti showing village life at night as this one does.
The artist is Myrvil Pierre from Cap Haitian, a resort town in the north of Haiti.
Haitian Village Life at Sunset
This colorful oil on canvas painting measures 24”x 19.5” and depicts a very typical day in a villager’s life. The sun is setting while the villagers return home carrying firewood to prepare the evening meal. One man is carrying a hoe suggesting a long day in his fields while a pregnant woman returns riding a mule. In the background, two children are fishing from a small boat on a river. The houses in the village all have thatched roofs, suggesting that this is a historical scene. The trees are all laden with delicious Haitian fruits.
This painting is unsigned, but is believed to have been painted by Myrvil Pierre of Cap Haitian.
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