Happy Days....

The last few weeks have been quiet but so beautifully spent. I still have terrible problems with the fact that I am so easily distracted from what I want to do - I guess the polite word is procrastination, but I think it is more correctly called laziness!!!!

..inspired by Tracy verdugo in Paint Mojo  - 'Look back into Summer'

However, I have done a few courses to continue the amazing learning curve that I am journeying along - the fantastic Paint Mojo with Tracy Verdugo (a fantastic group, too), Faces and Figures with Pauline again. I felt that I needed to increase my technical and academic skills, too, as I now take my art very seriously, and want to do the best I can. At 66, I didn't think I could or would want to, fit in at the Fine Arts Faculty in Porto, an Open University course requires a lottery win to finance it, so I did some research and discovered the Virtual Art Academy. This is a detailed, technical course with amazingly high standards over at least four years, largely the work of one man. It seemed wonderful, with a huge number of enthusiastic students and brilliant reviews. So I enrolled, and am fascinated by what I am learning, and adding substance and know how to my art skills. Here follows, for any soul who is interested, a few examples of recent work - some for courses, others my own, all great fun to do. You may have seen some of them on Facebook, I am happy to take that risk!!!

Grand Canyon fifteen minutes after sunset

Tree of gold

I felt I could have done better in India - next time I am resolved to do better!:-

Rajasthan

The day a crow died...an amazing sight. One day, a crow dropped dead into the backwater. Within seconds, thousands of crows lined up on branches before swooping down low over the water. The squawking was deafening and went on for ten minutes. It was a funeral for a crow.

A WIP of my very own gnash, Lord Protector

...and work from some of the courses, as well as another selfie on a very sad day, 30cm by 40cm in acrylics. I am finding that my I love painting my Buddhas and elephants, but I also get immense pleasure from both portraits and abstract landscape work. A mixed bag!

A new love - Ireland

Two boats to arrive!

I journeyed across many seas and countries to visit the south west corner of Ireland for the first time in September 2014, combined with an exciting-looking workshop run by Pauline Agnew, with teachers including Flora Bowley, Orly Averini and Melinda Cootsona. I could use strings of superlatives to describe both adventures - all I can say is that both the country and workshop exceeded my absolutely wildest expectations, both life-changing, and I came home a different person from the one who had left India to venture here, with a huge list of new friends, and to finally return to Portugal after this amazing summer of discovery and exploration.

Straight from Ryan's Daughter - Inch Beach

Silver and gold

Blue and grey light over the Healy Pass

Forty-five of us like-minded people, plus a few very willing hubbies, congregated in the charming town of Bantry in West Cork.

Bantry House

It would be another understatement to say that we all got on like a whole estate of houses on fire. An amazing creative and friendship-fuelled atmosphere developed very quickly. People came from all four corners of the globe, but in many ways we were as one - the same passions, the same dreams, the same fears and emotions. I made lifelong friendships, one absolute soul mate, and some soon-to-be soulmates, and learnt a huge amount about myself as an artist.

With new best friend, Line

In Flora Bowley's class

Abstract landscapes with Pauline

 I realised that a workshop is far more than a few painting lessons. It is an overwhelming whole body and soul experience, where time stands still. Even now, I can summon up the laughter, the fun and the support which hovered like pink clouds over historic Bantry House, where the workshops were held, and where I had the good fortune to stay. I loved every second - my dream for my own workshops is  to offer my own blend of art, learning, fun and friendship with a very unique programme, accessible to all.









I spent every other free minute and several days at the end, exploring. Ireland is utterly beautiful. The quality of the light is a dreamy blue, the hills and mountains speckled with sunshine and white clouds, which turn out to be very fluffy sheep in their hundreds. I went to Dingle and breathed in the very air and scenery that had entranced me in the film 'Ryan's Daughter'.

 I dipped my car bonnet into the "Ring of Kerry"...enough to know I must return next year to complete the circuit. I saw islands, sparkling reflections, evidence of both a magical Celtic past as well as more shocking reminders of such shameful events as the Potato Famine and its dire consequences. My new friend Line and I walked the streets of Killarney, explored amazing traditional music shops and modern art galleries. ...and everywhere this amazing light from the vast ocean skies, linking past and present, reflecting all in the bays and inlets, silver and gold reflected at day and dusk respectively. I wallowed in this natural beauty. I will return soon.

In the Killarney National Park

Ideas in India

After a terrible non- arrival of visa and passport scare so I couldn't have my birthday with my beloved friends in India, I finally made the journey in high spirits. It's like going home. Everything about Philipkutty's Farm is embellished with love. if I had to pick just one word to describe it ( an almost impossible task)  it would be LANGUID. Life flows as gently as the languid backwaters, an endless succession of colours and balmy breezes.

With Anu in the golden light of sunrise

 I love the monsoon.....it rains noisily, heavily and with intention. Lakes form round each villa like moats. Then, peace soon returns, the sun filters through the palms which shimmer and glow in this vivid light, saturation beyond the reach of any photo editing software.

Freshly-fallen raindrops sparkle like diamonds on the shimmering palms

As the sun dips, the world turns orange, then red, then a vivid pink. Sitting in a punt. watching the sun set over Lake Vembanad is without doubt, the greatest moment in existence. a few minutes later we enter the violet spectrum, until the sky is deep purple and indigo. The crows and fruit bats meet mid waters as crows go to roost and the bats come to gorge on the tree top mangoes on the island.

 I also went to Rajasthan. I will never, ever forget the sights and sounds I witnessed. Massive royal forts, serene, flamingo- fringed lakes, bustling, gawdy bazaars, a succession of, restored havelis, family homes now hotels, and crowds and crowds of people. Ladies in neon saris, covering their faces as we pass, men with massive bright turbans which declare their postion in society.

Turbans and Saris

Camels replacing elephants towards the desert. all these images engrave themselves in my brain, I get so upset that I just haven't got time to paint all that I have seen.

I lived like Queen Victoria in some of the hotels and guest houses....

 I even fulfilled my dream of visiting the Taj Mahal - but, awe-inspiring though the place was, it was absolutely jam-packed with throngs and throngs of people, little regards or even lip service made to safety ( I could see a horrible stampede was very possible), and I suffered from an attack of claustrophobia, the first and only one in my life. Seas of saris, turbans and, above all, a volume of voices which would raise any roof - I couldn't stay long. Below is also my impression of the Taj Mahal, painted later in Ireland!

I was so glad to get back to the serenity of the farm, my beautiful birds, and where I belong.....

All good things come to an end...I had to leave, straight to the UK, then on to my next wonderful experience..."A Space for Dreaming" art workshop in Bantry, West Cork, Ireland. This was about to be another life-changing experience...

Looking back - first the USA

Wow! It's been a super hectic Summer, with so many wonderful moments, memories and experiences. I 'm furious that I just can't seem to keep up the blog when I am on the move as I am up until past midnight most nights away doing the travel journals. I think I will jolly well have to do better in the future. Life is sweet at the moment - I am enjoying a quiet few weeks back in Lousada, the cats are ecstatic, and I have fashioned a great studio space in the garage area where I am spending happy hours. Best not to blog on and on about my travels I think, just post a few photos and comments about certain places, though I do want to say more about my unbelievable experience in Ireland - firstly at the 'Space for Dreaming" workshop at Bantry House run by artist Pauline Agnew, and then my wonderful adventures touring just a little of South West Ireland. I was amazed at the beauty and mystery of the area, and it has left an indelible mark on me.

My absolute favourite, taken by Isabel - Greenland

Isabel and I continued with our Thelma and Louise imitation and had a ball in California and Arizona. First we stayed with my wonderful friend Diane in her apartment in Long Beach. We shopped, explored, saw a lot of art and did the whole Hollywood thing. In other words, we had a fantastic time. Los Angeles and its environs continue to baffle me....it's a vast, crowded area. The roads are super congested and travel is difficult.

You've got to be silly sometimes...can you spot the Hollywood sign???? It's there, I promise..

I'm sure there are no-go areas but we didn't see them. But...most of the area is gorgeous. Long Beach, Laguna Beach and all the smaller settlements are each very unique, full of great restaurants, superb coastline, art galleries and unique, fascinating shops. A recipe for a very happy Linda. Isabel loved her first experience of Hollywood - and even grabbed a coffee with George before he got married......she had to turn him down as she is a married lady (I'd have committed bigamy without hesitation!)

....and I got quite famous, too. My pink mop seems to cause a stir wherever I go. I get asked to sign autographs and pose for many pictures. As I have never been a head turner, never endowed with beauty or grace, it is finally, I really feel, my turn at 66! It's an amazing conversation started and ice-breaker! People even believe I might be cool (no harm in trying!)

Uber-excited tourists from the Midwest!

This was for a FASHION blog! Wonders will never cease!!!

The artist asked ME to pose in front of his picture!!!!

Next stop somewhere new - Palm Springs......