Travel Diaries: watercolors of Spain
Setting Up
The travelling ziplock bag of art supplies served me well again. I swear, those gallon-sized bags hold more than you think! For me, 6x8 seems to be the sweet spot for paper size. It’s just enough room to work without feeling overwhelmed. I picked up an old school guillotine cutter at a thrift store years ago and it is my most treasured tool in the studio! I pre-chop my paper to 6x8, always keeping a substantial stack ready to go.
Reflections and Realizations
A friend texted me a couple of weeks into the trip, asking how the painting was going or if I was still “taking it all in.” Those words hit me differently. As artists, we can be our own worst critics, constantly comparing ourselves to others – not just in style, but in our process too. Last fall, during an extended stay in Portugal, I had grand plans of doing Plein air watercolors and sketching. But it never quite materialized. This spring, I had similar hopes, but again, it just didn’t happen. I realized that it's not my process at the moment. I prefer to walk, photograph, sit at a café with my sketchbook, and take notes. Pulling out paints and my 6x8 paper just doesn’t click for me right now. And that's okay. I learned to be more patient with myself and embrace my "taking it all in phase."
Walking in the Albacin
Mirador de l Cruz de Rauda, just a few minutes walk from our home base for the month of May.
Discovering the Albaycin
During our five-week stay in Granada, Spain, my husband and I immersed ourselves in Spanish culture—he honed his flamenco guitar skills while I focused on painting. We spent a month in the Albaycin neighborhood, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its rich history and charming atmosphere. The Albaycin's narrow streets are lined with white-washed homes, their facades adorned with traditional Granadine pottery and vibrant geraniums. Despite my usual attraction to colorful buildings, the monochromatic setting drew my attention to the neighborhood's green doors. Each door, with its unique character, became my canvas, inviting me to explore the stories behind them. The wrought iron grilles on the windows and doors added a distinct touch to the architecture.
Traditional pottery of Granada featuring a pomegranate with blue and green glaze.
Embracing the Heat
When the temperatures started to soar, hitting 85-95 degrees, that’s when the painting really kicked off. It was like the perfect timing. Four hours inside during the midday heat to paint – it couldn’t have been more ideal.
#15 Our Neighbors 6x8 original watercolor Albaycin, Granada Spain 2024 Buy me
#1 The Kitty Door 4x6 original watercolor Albaycin, Granada Spain 2024
Carmen #7 4x6 watercolor Albaycin, Granada, Spain Buy me
Closing Thoughts
Our time in Granada was a blend of creativity, culture, new friends, language and inspiration. The Albaycin's charm and history provided the perfect backdrop for all our artistic and educational pursuits. We are already looking forward to returning next year for another month, eager to explore more of this beautiful neighborhood and continue our artistic journey.
Llevate Cafe 6x8 original watercolor Albaycin, Granada Spain Buy me
