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Saturday, May 05, 2012

Can Serrat 3



My head is spinning with the stimulation and expectations I have for myself. I paint, go through every emotion from disgust to mild acceptance, and then remind myself that this is supposed to be fun; not a race or competition. I remember and then I forget. My art training has made me stern.


All of us here are working hard I believe. From different backgrounds with different reasons for being here. Every age; it's tremendous.


I've completed 11 sketches so far. Spoke to my special friend here about how hard it's been to work and she kindly assures me that it's harder to work small than to work large. It's good of her to say that. All I know is that I'm exhausted at the end of each day.


Meanwhile the gatos show us how to live. Eat, nap, stretch, purr, repeat. Find the sun when it's cool and the shade when it's hot.


Another attendee says that she's deliberately working differently than she does at home and I nod in agreement. I want to break away; try everything I haven't tried before.


We had a spectacular thunderstorm yesterday that drove everybody into the print studio to paint. The thunder crashed like cannon percussions, echoing through the mountains and the lightening was nearby and very loud. Torrents of rain flooded our picnic area and we all stood at the windows, gleefully watching as mother nature showed us her stuff.


I woke at 2 am and could not sleep so I continued my reading of Virginia Woolf's The Waves. It's the perfect book for this place; poetic, snatches of sensual impressions, sketches of perception.


Last night we ate indoors because of the rain. It was pasta (vegetarian as well as a sauce with meatballs), a shredded carrot salad and a marvelous, rich quiche. We were quieter than usual. I think everyone is working so hard and doing their best to make the hours count.


The music plays throughout the courtyard all day long. Most of it is from artists I don't recognize and I love that. Everything is new, shiny and amazing.

         
Today it's Spanish guitar. 


Well, time to get back to my puttering in paint.


I have fish to fry. 


Something like that. Besos y besitos.

33 comments:

kelly barton said...

judygirl these are stunning.
oh i so need to just go do something
like this. i just am in love with you
and all that you do.

have fun. your work is gorgeous.

Lisa Graham said...

Looks like a fabulous time and place to do art among other souls. The colors you have going on your pieces seem to fit with your happy opportunity.

roc said...

oh judy...i'm in such awe i cried when i ready your post. you have such a beautiful way of expressing yourself, not only in art, but in words. god bless you as you continue your amazing journey.

ersimarina said...

Besos y besitos from me too! I envy your wondrous, intense experience and I Love the outcome of your work. I visited Can Serrat a few years ago and I know almost exactly where to place you there. And never forget the wisdom of the cats :))

nancycreations said...

Your work is incredible I so wish I could paint and draw but my talents simply don't lie in that direction my mother was so fantastic at drawing , she passed along those wonderful talents to my children somehow skipping me, lol I am a fiber and metalsmith but I so envy you your trip and your talents , I am so glad you are enjoying yourself,

Jan said...

Judy, your paintings are amazing. They seem so vibrant ... which seems to represent how you are living your residency. Take care and enjoy! Don't put too much pressure on yourself.

Gina rossiarmfiled said...

Judy. I love the vulnerability of this post and it shows in your soulful work. When I look at the first piece I see a woman with outstretched arms and legs with her head back jumping in joy. That is what I literally thought it was an image of until I viewed the other abstract pieces. Our subconscious comes through whether we intend it to or not. This pieces are raw and refined all at once. I'm sure you have listened or read Brene brown speak on Ted talks on vulnerability and if not give it a listen. She states that vulnerability is the birthplace of creativity and I think your work is proof of that. You continue to inspire me with your grace.

Janie Husband said...

loving your posts......i almost feel relaxed just reading about your experience....

Dayna Collins said...

What a lovely glimpse into your artful days. I'm in love with what you are creating.

Kathryn Zbrzezny said...

You have such a generous, beautiful soul, and such a way of sharing it, expressing it. I am in awe and continue to look forward to these posts. I am moved to tears.

Lynn Cohen said...

What wonderful art you are turning out!
Did other's art on the ground get wet in the rain I wonder? Could they get it all Inside in time?
I can't imagine such a thing as you are doing there...the pressure to produce in a set amount of time.
However, you seem to be doing it beautifully. What an experience.
I am so so happy for you. Your photos are all delicious beyond words. Thanks for taking the time to share it with us this way. Keep on enjoying, I know you know how!

Bren Graham Thebeau said...

I'd have to agree, smaller is harder to work with, at least for me. Beautiful, explorative works, I'm particularly drawn to 5th and 6th ones. What a time, what a place. So glad you are able to share it with us

Cynthia of Cynful Creations said...

I agree with the others who have commented before me. I love what you are creating there in Spain. They are beautiful pieces and they seem so different from what I have seen of your work so far, and yet not. How wonderful for you and the others there to have this experience! Thanks for sharing it with us.

Gigi said...

Your paintings are brilliant! It's so interesting to see this abstract work of yours. I just echo everything the commenters before me said.

Josie Rodriguez, Visual Artist said...

Your new work is stunning Judy. What fun for you. Enjoy each moment. I found the website and we hope to visit Can Serrat when we are in Barcelona this summer.

Jan said...

I totally love your paintings! You seem a bit unhappy with them at the moment? but I'll bet you will like them better once you get some distance from them and then get back to them. They are marvelous and free spirited. What a fantastic journey you are on, I love following along. Thanks for sharing.

An'Angelia Thompson said...

These are amazing, Judy! I do believe I felt a pang of envy looking at your photos :o) Enjoy yourself!

Kathryn Dyche said...

Sounds incredibly inspirational, I love the idea of creating in a new space for a while. Have fun.

Beth said...

Judy, have FUN in that gorgeous sun! Don't be too hard on yourself, your work is great and your spirit comes through it. Enjoy each day! And thanks for bringing us along. I'd love to do something like that myself. (Your friends are right about single-payer, BTW - now that I'm Canadian I can vouch for it.)

Carla Sonheim said...

Just beautiful work, Judy. I love your sketch/paintings.

Anonymous said...

Fascinating. I love the artwork you are creating!

Kimberley McGill said...

What a beautiful place to retreat and make art! Thank you for sharing your experience with us. Your ups and downs, the fabulous work - and those very wise cats.

I lived in Spain oh so many many years ago, love every inch of that country. Besos y un abrazp para ti.

(By the way, the e-b00k from the journaling class is perfect!)

Ruth Armitage said...

Oh Judy, thank you for taking us along on your journey and your search. It is so much fun to hear about your adventures. Your friend is right... It is harder to work small!

Ro Bruhn said...

This place looks pure bliss and your new style of work shows it, stunning pieces. Enjoy every moment.

Unknown said...

i really like your painting

dorylyn said...

Your work is beautiful.

Jill Zaheer said...

Just stunningly beautiful work and what a venue for this! The photos of your art are incredible!

misty said...

everything here is always so full of life! i love being invited into your world! thank you!
and those sweet gatos sure are great teachers! :)
xoxoxo

Melinda said...

Love love love "The Gatos" - it sounds like a novella. As always I enjoy your words and photos and it is fun to live vicariously through you. Keep enjoying and sharing!

Nolwenn said...

These new paintings you are showing there are AMAZING. I just love them. And I am intrigued by your process.
I am drown to them because I am in a «mutted but colored» period in my art :)

Enjoy your residency.

Take care
Nolwenn

Lorraine Lewis said...

i am loving all that you share. you are such a sweet spirit- so genuine!

Chris said...

Judy! Enjoying coming along with you on your residency. Loving your paintings, so vibrant and engaging! The ups and downs of art making--we know it well, don't we?! :) Hugs!

MyBlueDog said...

Wow Judy, the food, the storm , the paint.. thanks for bringing me along.. so glad you got to experience that special time..peace