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Paul Jr. and Steven Smith are the owners of Hotel Fonda Vela. Their
father, Paul Smith Sr., is an
accomplished artist in many mediums. Over the past 20 years, Paul
created most of the 450 paintings which hang in many of the Hotel buildings
and rooms. His work can also be found in restaurants, shops, and
offices in the Monteverde area. His art has taken him to such diverse
countries as Canada, the
United States, Chile, Ecuador,
and Argentina.
Paul Sr. and his Chilean wife, Sylvia, came to Monteverde from Canada
in the early 1970’s. He bought a farm (on which the Hotel is now
located), milked cows, raised a family, became a craftsman of fine violins
and violas, an amateur violist, and an artist. In his 70’s, Paul Sr.
continues his art, enhanced by his travels to various countries. He
works outdoors at the site of his subject, and attributes his free brush
strokes and artistic vitality to this method of “en plein air”. This
wonderful collection of paintings is not only the story of Paul Sr’s life,
but also a lasting patrimony to the family hotel and a treasure to be
enjoyed by Hotel Fonda Vela’s guests.
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