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Tuesday, May 01, 2012

Reporting From Can Serrat


So yes, indeed I have arrived and spent my first day here at the residency. I'm in heaven. I have the big, airy, south-facing room with wonderful light, chirping birds, blue skies, fluffy clouds and ample work tables. 


I lurked around with my camera this morning to take some shots for you of the shared studios too so you could see what they looked like. So this is not my work and I hope the artist will not mind as I think all pictures of paintings and paint are marvelous.


We said good-bye today to a man from New Zealand and a woman from Argentina so beside myself there remains a woman from Ontario, Canada and 10 new arrivals from Norway. We had a lovely feast tonight under the grape arbor with amazing food and wine and orange colored olives that were a new experience for me. Everything is so delightful and new. Just how I like it.


I really don't know how much posting I'll do now that I'm here and realize how fast a day goes. One has to be in the kitchen by 9 am for breakfast (for me that means after yoga and journal writing) and then one has to lay in the sun and read and then there's lunch again under the grape arbor in the warm sun and then there's the nap and voila! it's time for a beautiful meal, new friends to meet and libations to share. The Norwegians taught me a new word: "skol"! I like my new word.


This is my bedroom-slash-private studio. Please note the light, the space, the austere loveliness of it.


Looking in the opposite direction is my comfortable bed with fluffy white duvet. My room even has two libraries of books; I'm flush with back issues of Art in America and reference books and novels.


The stone farmhouse where we all stay is hundreds of years old so the bathrooms are shared but very private with locking doors and so on so that you feel at ease. 


This is a view of the bottom of the stairs leading from my room (upper floor) to the bath areas (lower level).


This is looking from the bath area back toward that rounded stone wall. Notice the wooden door on the left.


This is what that door looks like up close. Really beautiful, old, wabi-sabi.


These tiny weedlings were in my room when I got here. The place is full of art left behind by former residents. The bases are very light paper of some sort. I am surrounded by the beauty other artists have created and it makes me feel that a nurturing force abides in this place; a vibration that I hope to harmonize with and add to. In the distance I can hear the pealing laughter of the Norwegian ladies and it fills my heart to hear such happiness; like birdsong it is.

Thank you for stopping by. Create beauty where you're planted and I'll try to do the same wherever I go. Get out and see the world if you can. We don't really understand our own culture until we've experienced it at a distance. xo

28 comments:

Jackie said...

Just beautiful, Judy! Relax and enjoy every minute in that perfect place!

Liz in Washington state said...

So jealous but so happy for you. Love the colors that painter used, captures the Spanish sun and light. We spent 5 years in Spain thanks for the US Air Force and I had a great job on base, so we traveled all over. I spent every penny of experiencing it.

Sue Cottle said...

Oh wow! Enjoy! sue:)

Kathryn Zbrzezny said...

...a vibration I hope to harmonize with and add to... I love the feel of this, the sound of it, Judy. This makes me feel overwhelmingy happy.

Judy Shreve said...

What a beautiful space - and your in SPAIN - SPAIN!
And there's just something about all that accumulated art that is so grounding! Slightly jealous - but so happy for you - enjoy!

Beth said...

Yes, slightly envious too! Have a wonderful time, Judy -- I'm sure you will enrich this place and its temporary inhabitants not only with your art but with your spirit. Looking forward to seeing and hearing more.

Lorraine Lewis said...

It sounds amazing Judy. I hope you have a most beautiful adventure in Spain- I have no doubt.

Be safe xo

Parabolic Muse said...

Judy, this is madness!! How can you stand it?! OH, and that stone. WHAT will you ever DO with that; it's so organic! HOW can you think of saying Skol! all the time!? Especially with a beverage in hand!

I feel for you.


Bring me a cookie.

Unknown said...

divine..... enjoy :-)

Anonymous said...

What a magical place, Judy! I'm so happy for you that you get to experience this! I bet you will come up with spectacular art work...;-)

Anonymous said...

Judy...what a wonderful place. Just stunning. Have a great time! : )

Janine Whitling said...

Wow, Judy. It looks just amazing. What an amazing experience. Its so riddled with charm. Well, i hope for purely selfish reasons that you will find time to blog between all the siestas and food so that we can share in this terrific experience of yours and see what artworks you produce. xJanine

Michele R. Unger said...

Judy, when the Norwegians toast with "skol!" answer them with "skol yeppa!" they'll love it. Not sure what it means but that is what my Norwegian friends always do. "Skol," one will say, and the others answer back with "Skol yeppa (Yep AH)!"

Have a grand and glorious time!

XO

Gloria Martin said...

Heaven indeed! You go girl....skol!!!

Kathy said...

A beautiful post and thank you so much for sharing. Be present in every moment of this - it is amazing!

Lynn Cohen said...

Oh heaven! Oh now I am a tad jealous. Oh oh oh Judy. I am ever so happy for you! Skol indeed!
Orange olives...left behind art...brick walls, wooden doors, tile floors, soft beds, naps, meals, laughter, new friendships, do you take time to make art too? where ever do you fit it in? I am sure you will figure it out. Big smiles from me getting off on all this vicariously.

Dayna Collins said...

Perfect!

Ro Bruhn said...

Oooooh Judy, what a fabulous place. Have a wonderful time and create lots.

Sharon Tomlinson said...

You always let us live it through you and I love you for that. Beautiful wonderful!

Healing Woman said...

Thanks for sharing this wonderful place. Ahhh..to be alone with one's own art for any given time..no interruptions-no phone-I'm surprised you even want to give a post..but I'm thankful that you did!

Kathryn Dyche said...

Looks like an amazing place, sure to get the creative juices flowing.

pauline said...

Oh Judy...i've been following your blog for a while now and i must comment on this post...
THANK YOU so much for taking us along here and taking such lovely photos. It looks magical. I totally understand why one would want such an experience. You will no doubt come out of this "transformed". Your work is already beautiful - i can only imagine how stunning it's going to be after this. I could see myself in that room... just beautiful. Best wishes to you there. xoxo

roc said...

oh wow judy...what a splendid room! i love how the light illuminates your work area. how spiritual! i loved seeing your photos. makes me want to be there, too! enjoy every second. what a blessing.

Clare Wassermann said...

This will really change your life (everything does of course haha!) but this REALLY will!

Anonymous said...

Judy, I just love how you describe everything. I feel like I'm with you, seeing things in person! Thank you for sharing.

femminismo said...

Just really, really lovely. Your room will inspire you to new heights, I think. And how lucky to be meeting new people from other places and learning new words too! Bellisima!

Chris said...

How fantastic! Wish I were there with you. Hope to do one someday. Looking forward to seeing that you create. xo

Unknown said...

SO lovely~ thanks for sharing your journey with all of us~~~~living vicariously....
xo