After doing a sweet impressionist painting on Girona, I had to do something a little subversive on the spanish enclave. I am not sure why, it's just an emotional outlet for me. So Juxtaposition was created.
The buildings and structures are from the Girona jewish quarter but placed in a surreal swathe of matisse-influenced, almost carnival, colours. Girona wasn't always picturesque postcard pretty. The city is said to have undergone 25 sieges and been captured 7 times.
Therein lies the contradiction and strangely, also the aura behind the ancient architectural pieces of this historic place. Saccharine yet tumultuous, present quietude versus an agitated past, every pretty remnant tells a story or does it hide a secret? That is the essence of this piece.
Title: Juxtaposition (O77)
Description: A surreal take on Girona's historic jewish quarter, with buildings and structures placed in a swathe of matisse-influenced, almost carnival, colors. Spain Vignettes 2012.
Medium: Oil on Ready-to-Hang Canvas.
Dimensions: 76 x 61cm.
SOLD.
On a latte afternoon.. that was the feeling given me by Girona, a city in northeast Catalonia Spain. A photographer's paradise, historical architectural gems a-plenty, lyrical botanical gardens, not outrageously stunning, but quiet and soothing. Dancers on the cathedral steps, a spontaneous street band by the river, a lady with a baby pram strolls by, a wedding couple posing for their most precious moments, the sounds of celebration, nobody's in a hurry, all inter-mixing like a lyrical dance play, alluring and addictive, much like the many ice-cream palours on its streets :)
So that was how I painted Girona..
Title: On A Latte Afternoon (O76)
Description: On a latte afternoon, a chance mix of passer-bys and dancers on the street, lulling on the medieval stone steps, fleeting amongst the ancient buildings of a beautiful historic jewish quarter, much like a hypnotic dream or a lyrical play, therein lies the charms of Girona. Spain Vignettes 2012.
Medium: Oil on Ready-to-Hang Canvas.
Dimensions: 76 x 61cm.
Purchase at: yen.artfire.com
