The last of my 3 Cordoba paintings, this one is a contemplative piece of a corner building that spoke to me amidst a mysterious bustling of festive activity one day in the southern spanish city..
It was a balmy evening and bevies and bevies of lovely Spanish ladies kept appearing, in vintage cars, horse carriages or by foot, all decked to the hilt. Are they going to a huge fancy dress party in some grand palace? We wondered. So we followed. In merriment and excitement, infected by the joyous air even though we don't speak the language.
From the buildings to the streets, from the streets to the bridge, from the bridge to a long party crowd train, and finally to a large clearing.. It turned out to be a weeklong festival and public holiday at that, and there's a carnival going on :) That's all.
Yet isn't this what life is about? A celebration. In this age of endless global economic woes and frequent natural calamities, may we learn from the Spaniards. Treasure the moments with friends and families, treasure the caveats of peace. Carpe diem, come what may :)
Title: Corner Building (O80)
Description: A corner building speaks to the artist in Cordoba, witness to the life and celebrations in the southern city of Spain. Spain Vignettes 2012.
Medium: Oil on Ready-to-Hang Canvas.
Dimensions: 76 x 61cm.
Another work inspired by the lyrical village of Villafranca del Bierzo on the Camino pilgrim journey. We were here very briefly but the pretty architecture left an indelible impression - not the stunning sort but with delicate poetism that grows on one.
I was attracted to the light play on these buildings and intrigued by the plaque on the right, wondering if it was an ancient clock. But when it comes to painting, the composition lines inspired by the scene took over with colour to play a big part in the mood created which is central to me for this piece. I always feel buildings have souls and wonder if they can speak, what would they say? A bluesy melancholic expression feels right here, at least to me.
Title: Bluesy (O55)
Description: Melancholy was the feeling given me by these lyrical buildings, not deeply sad but a poetic rendition of their souls. An expressionist work inspired by the village of Villafranca del Bierzo on the Camino de Santiago (Way of St James) pilgrim route. Spain Camino 2011.
Medium: Oil on Ready-to-Hang Canvas.
Dimensions: 76 x 60cm.
Purchase at: yen.artfire.com
We were only here for a supplies refresh before we continued on our Camino pilgrim journey and to visit the churches in this once important medieval town. The churches were closed but the lyrical name - Villafranca del Bierzo - should have given us a hint of the delights we were to discover here. Beautiful nooks and corners, elegant balconies with flowing flora, unusual adornments and unique architecture..
Most of all, this house captured my heart at first sight. The different shapes and sizes of the windows and their seemingly haphazard placing intrigued me immensely. I wonder what the interior is like. Is each room also oddly sized? Who lives here? What are the stories behind each of them? Do they go to the church across whose long dome shadow falls on the walls? Like the passer-by, I can only stop to surmise in fascination.
Title: Windows of the Heart (O54)
Description: A window openeth; a window shuts. Every opening or closure tells a story which an observer can only wonder about. An expressionist work inspired by an unusual house in the village of Villafranca del Bierzo on the Camino de Santiago (Way of St James) pilgrim route. Spain Camino 2011.
Medium: Oil on Ready-to-Hang Canvas.
Dimensions: 76 x 60cm.
Purchase at: yen.artfire.com
