During my last few days in Spain I played in the studio, adding final touches to the paintings I would bring home to Minnesota. Danilo and I laughed, read poetry and excitedly chatted about what we would do when I returned to work and live in Cadaques. I was enjoying the love. Little did I know my ship would not be heading back to Spain but guiding me in a whole new unexpected and perfect direction. I have been back in Minnesota enjoying the seasons change and placing my dreams into their places, I love watching this all unfold! I have rediscovered the love that I have for Folk Art and plan to pursue this. I am also about to embark on a licensure program in Skin Care. I look forward to combining my love for organic and natural beauty care with my world of art. Ahoy!

Anna II

Originally uploaded by EspiralArt

Originally uploaded by EspiralArt

found in the garden

Originally uploaded by EspiralArt

The garden behind the studio was such an inspiration. This is a self portrait and I think it suits my mind frame perfectly, while I was in Cadaques.

la luna

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la luna..there is something so magical about a full moon rising above the sea. I will never forget the full moons of Cadaques and her magic spells.

danilo’s luna

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Danilo buys his watercolor paper in Banyoles a city famous for it’s lake, Banyoles (or Estany de Banyoles). The lake is approximately 2,000 m by 100 m with an average depth of 15 m that in several points gets down to almost 40 m. The paper is divine and crafted using a completely traditional process. Here he is showing off one of his watercolor and drawing portraits.

hermana te quiero!

danilo’s exhibit

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hanging the show

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me as a painting

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I remember the heat, it made me sleepy. Danilo opened his studio to me and in exchange I offered to model for him. I had always secretly wanted to be an art school model. The freedom and adoration of the body no matter the tone, shape or size. Anyhow, this is the first and one of my favorite pieces that Danilo and I did. It was great to be on the other side of the canvas yet to be able to also be the collaborator.

art fair

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We were on a roll! sold almost all of the work that day and Danilo taught me the value of telling your story.

el maestro danilo y yo en el taller

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Our lunch break during a day of classical music, painting, poetry and silliness.

el pueblo de Cadaquez

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the castle

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at the castle

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beautiful cadaques

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This is where I lived!! Yes, I manifested a beautiful coastal town complete with an amazing art teacher, love and a daily dip in the sea. Anything is possible.

el maestro

Originally uploaded by EspiralArt

Maestro eres lo mejor y siempre seras parte de mis momentos mas creativas en Cadaques. Te llevo en mi corazon y cuando pinto o oigo musica classica pienso en ti! Gracias por todo!

dali rock

Originally uploaded by EspiralArt
One of the best places in Cadaques. Cap de Creus. It is the last outlet of the Pyrenees and at the same time the most easterly point of the Iberian Peninsula. That is one of the reasons why the Cap with its lighthouse is a particularly important point in the nautical charts..do you recognize this rock in Dali’s work?

girasoles

Originally uploaded by EspiralArt

After a long weekend in Cadaques we head home. On the way we see field after field of these happy sun flowers.

on the way to Cadaquez

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Les Trois Mousquetaires.

at the beach

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our bikes

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3 of cups

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We had sooo much fun that day. Gracias Edu, Rachel y Ale!

las hermanas

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gracia

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The barrio in Barcelona that I always wanted to live in. In the end, I was there every day (for a month) for Interior Design School.

interior design school

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I dreaded the presentations in Spanish but I loved the technical drawing. Space as a new medium, very cool. Maria Fernanda and Chetel amigas del diseno.

stencil art

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casa batlo

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deva, rachel y yo

Originally uploaded by EspiralArt

I was so blessed in Spain to have such a good network of female friends. Rachel of course a sister of some time, we met in Mexico years ago and what a blast to be living at the same time in Barcelona. Deva, what can I say? you are a soul sister and I am so very happy that we know each other

My art reached the barrios of Barcelona! I exhibited here at La Bascula, a great bar/restaurant in El Borne and then later with Danilo at Gracia Art Project. Some of my work still lingers in those areas!

my work in barcelona

Originally uploaded by EspiralArt

Moni made amazing frames for all of these postcard sized daily doodles of mine.

mi casita de poble sec

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This is the view from the living room window at the apartment I lived in.

fiestas de barceloneta

Originally uploaded by EspiralArt
Every year, each barrio (neighborhood) of Barcelona has their party. In Barceloneta they light up the sky with fireworks and people dance around until dawn. Era super divertida!!!

April 2008, Cadaques
This is the town where Dali lived and worked. It is mystical but sometimes the wind drives people crazy. There is a raw energy here and the land is in constant battle with the sea. I was there during the full moon and the light along with the wind was intense. Being with friends was a treat.

near diego’s

Originally uploaded by EspiralArt

la roca

Originally uploaded by EspiralArt

Originally uploaded by EspiralArt

go round

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spring time

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hora de cafe

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cadaques street

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Tamarit castle in Tarragona, near BCN

Originally uploaded by EspiralArt

procession

Originally uploaded by EspiralArt
March 2008

Southern Spain, the home of flamenco and religious processions during Semana Santa. Rachel and I bunked at Mama Judy’s casa and it was a week of tapas, tinto verano, and good conversations. Thanks Judy!

At the Casa de Pilates

Originally uploaded by EspiralArt

tradtitional penitence gown for semana santa

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treats after the spa at banos arabes

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caught in the rain

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flying back to barcelona

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IMG_0787

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Just breath, life is interesting, I am always learning and relearning. I wonder and ponder and then inhale. It’s been a hectic day here in my Barcelonean life, teaching English (yep I’ve got a job!!) one on one. I enjoy the adventure and income, I also get tired of the metro with it’s mixed bag of people, sights and smells. I get to bike though twice a week! It’s almost December and that means I’ll have been here about two plus months, and I’ll turn 34, wow. I am still adjusting to the Big city of Barcelona but I am feeling better here and enjoying the art scene, it’s the Contemporary Art Festival this week and I am going to openings all week, yippee! I also have been painting in preparation for a holiday sale a few friends and I are planning.
Other than that, not much sight seeing, I have loads to still explore but have been primarily doing the day to day stuff, just now in Barcelona!
Love and abrazotes!
Sav

amigas

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moni y marco

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IMG_0786

Originally uploaded by EspiralArt

parc guel

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purple house

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leslie visits!

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arc de triomf

Originally uploaded by EspiralArt
Musings in Barcelona…. At first I was surprised at how much of a city it
is here, overwhelmed and a bit lost I pondered the idea of going home. I
tried to sleep, soak it in and explore a little every day. I have to say I
am feeling much better now as I can pretty much find my way around. I have
met a few good people, am taking a yoga class and now avidly searching for a
job (any tips are welcome!). I am painting a little too but once I settle in
I know that I will feel more inspired. A few things I have loved so far: the
olives (yummy), not having a car and biking or walking everywhere, having
the ocean a few blocks away, the twisting small cobblestone streets, and
amigas.

Besos

the view

Originally uploaded by EspiralArt

barceloneta

Originally uploaded by EspiralArt

bar andu

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Barcelona October 2007
It’s been a week since my arrival to Barcelona and I feel like I’ve seen a small portion of what this city will show me. My senses are alert and like a sponge I soak it all in:

Hear:
Glass breaking
People conversing
Carts being pulled on cobblestone
Doors slamming
Hollers
The breeze
Motorcycle engines
Horns
Bangs
Smell:
Salt
Pizza burning
Smog
Stone
Piss
Sun
Rain
Sea
Maps
See:
Ancient buildings crammed together
Kohl lined eyes
Stencil street art
Modern gypsy style
People from everywhere and allover
Maps
Metro
Menus in Catalan
Very narrow streets
Street signs on buildings
Taste:
Olives
Sweet port
Machango cheese
Exhaust
Baguette
Figs in chocolate
Feel:
Damp
Rough
Oily
Milky
Leathery
Clean
Dirty
Dark

yep eating snails

Originally uploaded by EspiralArt

plaza jaume

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can serrat art colony

Originally uploaded by EspiralArt