Picturesque Arrival

My pilgrim's journey on the famous Camino de Santiago de Compostela pilgrimage (aka the Way of St James) began at the Spanish Meseta (plateau), starting the hike from a small village called Hornillos. It was a beautiful walk, lined with many pretty wild flowers amidst a backdrop of rolling green hills and valleys. "Buen Camino" (good way) was the greeting we call out to fellow pilgrims on this lovely hike as we journeyed on, listening to many a wonderful tale about the area, from the history of the boulders remnants along the path, to even conservation help for the path from quarters as far away as, amazingly, south africa.

But nothing beats the joy in our hearts as we approached the picturesque village of Hontanas, nestling comfortably in a beautiful valley and with the pilgrim's path going beyond up a hill yonder. The village dome building in particular seems to leap and speak to me, as with the trees on the distant hill. I knew I had to paint this scene, this feeling of jubilance. So I got my trusty camera out and took many pictures as we walked the pretty path into Hontanas, a wonderful stop for pilgrims to rest and unwind, and not forgeting to collect a stamp or two from the local tavern, before continuing on with the pilgrim's journey. Much like the journey in life, we encounter beautiful surprise highlights along the camino way, and this was a memorable one.

Title: Picturesque Arrival (O50)
Description: An exuberant piece featuring the Meseta (high plains) section of the pilgrim route of Camino de Santiago de Compostela (the Way of St James), which passes through many a picturesque local village like this one called Hontanas. Spain Camino 2010.
Medium: Oil on Ready-to-Hang Canvas.
Dimensions: 76 x 60cm.

SOLD.

2 comments:
alice said...
Lovely!
demeter gui said...
Wonderful landscape, excellent painting!