
Well, I'm here. It's different than what I expected, but in some ways this may be a good thing. What I was really looking for from this residency were three things: 1) time to work; 2) exposure and; 3) contact with other artists. I was expecting more of a formal gallery, and as you can see from the photo to the left Zaratan is not. Instead, it is the only artist-run gallery and residency program in the city, which makes it a poor-man's gallery by nature. But these folks have good connections, and in two weeks I'll be giving an artist talk to a group of other artists and experts in the art communityin the city. This might actually be just what I needed. I've always felt more comfortable in the informal world anyway. Baby steps.
Last night I met another artist-in-residence from Australia who has done a lot of different residencies all over Europe. He tells me that this residency is actually pretty nice compared to one he did in Porto not too long ago (note to self based on my conversation with him: Barcelona is next and Porto is not).
Last night I met another artist-in-residence from Australia who has done a lot of different residencies all over Europe. He tells me that this residency is actually pretty nice compared to one he did in Porto not too long ago (note to self based on my conversation with him: Barcelona is next and Porto is not).

Yesterday, I wandered the city a little bit in search of the art store to buy some more supplies. I gathered a few photos to show you around. I also started working on my first watercolor. You can see the development of the work and the images here at this link.
It was raining yesterday, so I didn't get out much more than I wanted to. Also, I found the art store, I found the grocery store, but I got hopelessly lost coming back from the grocery store. I wandered in circles in the heavy drizzle for two hours - certain that the next road was the one to link me to the road Zaratan is located on - until I finally found my way back. Yes, that's part of the process, even if unintended. That emotional experience creates something. We'll see where it goes.
Today I have some administrative stuff to take care of (that and I slipped twice on the VERY slippery cobblestone sidewalks and roads yesterday, so my left hip is a little sore - Lisbon is very hilly and steep at times) and a little bit of prepping for oil painting to do, so I'll be staying inside most of the day. Starting tomorrow I'll be wandering the city some more (in the sun!) in search of images to sketch and paint later in the day. My plan each day is to gather images in the morning, do some painting and drawing on-scene, and work in the afternoon and evening in the studio.
More to come next week.
It was raining yesterday, so I didn't get out much more than I wanted to. Also, I found the art store, I found the grocery store, but I got hopelessly lost coming back from the grocery store. I wandered in circles in the heavy drizzle for two hours - certain that the next road was the one to link me to the road Zaratan is located on - until I finally found my way back. Yes, that's part of the process, even if unintended. That emotional experience creates something. We'll see where it goes.
Today I have some administrative stuff to take care of (that and I slipped twice on the VERY slippery cobblestone sidewalks and roads yesterday, so my left hip is a little sore - Lisbon is very hilly and steep at times) and a little bit of prepping for oil painting to do, so I'll be staying inside most of the day. Starting tomorrow I'll be wandering the city some more (in the sun!) in search of images to sketch and paint later in the day. My plan each day is to gather images in the morning, do some painting and drawing on-scene, and work in the afternoon and evening in the studio.
More to come next week.