So, good morning blog fans, back after a week or so in the lovely sunshine of southern Spain where the Monkey’s keeper and I have been painting the landscapes around us with Paint Andalucía. Suffice to say we had a great time and more stories will come out as the week(s) go by. Fi and I were a bit unsure. Having never been on a group holiday before we were a bit wary. You know, you don’t want to have to put up with the whiner or some clinging hanger-on for a week. It could really spoil things. Thankfully, though, not the case here. We were a group of two ladies from California, a couple from Israel, a couple of ladies from Hemel Hempstead, one from London and me and Fi. We had a great time with no drips or idiots and we just went with the flow of an amazing week.
Our tutor and guide for the week was the lovely, talented and creative artist Anna Martin (ably assisted on this occasion by Geraldine McDonald, I hope I’ve got the spelling right), whose work is rich with texture, colour and inspiration.
If you think you’re gonna come here and paint prissy landscapes guided by Anna’s hand then think again (though, if that’s what you want to do, then fine). Anna’s guidance is to get you thinking and reacting in a much more fluid and free way. But – more of painting in the next instalment. Firstly, where were we ? !
Torrox Pueblo – a lovely hillside village about 50 kilometres east of Malaga with a serenely peaceful plaza where you can while away a balmy evening, or sunlit siesta, sipping wine or cerveza from the bars. Tapas aplenty.
The village itself is about 5 kilometres inland, Torrox Costa being the beach resort, which leaves it exquisitely free of the beach ball and soccer shirt sonics of other Spanish holiday villages which hug the coast.
Saturday was “welcome and intro” day and after our settling in period we reconvened in the evening for the first of what were to be several excellent tapas dinners in the village square. Food would play a significant part in our week of paint. It was bound to – we were in the Med – and it was universally outstanding !
Sunday was first real painting day followed by a great evening dinner, again. Monday was a trip to Frigiliani for sketching and an afternoon banquet at “Maria’s” . Tuesday we visited the Alcazaba, a Moorish fortification in Malaga, to paint.
Wednesday was rest day though Fi and I spent the day painting the square in Torrox Pueblo. On Thursday we tripped out to the wonderfully evocative village of Acebuchal, the village of Ghosts, in the mountains above Malaga.
What a superb village for painting. The sun burned casting the village in a bright white light and we scattered our boards and easels. There was perfect peace, silence, inspiration, and dare I say again, superb food in the afternoon !
Friday was tidy up and finish off any paintings that required some additional treatment, or perhaps you could start another one from the viewpoint of our host’s, Dave and Gill Armstead, veranda.
Then, to round things off in style for the evening, our hosts had arranged as a “special”, a trip to Torrox Costa to a tapas bar where we would see live flamenco. Fantastic. If you’ve witnessed this you’ll know how stunning it is – if you haven’t, you must.
More drinks and farewells in Torrox Pueblo Plaza and we had all made some new friends, discovered some new painting skills and techniques, developed a tan, ate great food and were generally rather smug. I know it’s not always like this, but hey, when it is, go with it.
Paintings and more coming up……………
singlemaltmonkey 
Nice pics Al esp the first n third n ofcourse fifth… 🙂 Looks like you had a great trip… Looking fwd to more pics….
Thanks, Sheena. Actually we didn’t take as many pics as usual since this was a painting holiday and once you’re set up then you just get on with it. But more to come for sure.
2nd time freshly pressed… Congrats!! : ) Treat!!
What beautiful photos. I love the white buildings and the winding streets. And tapas sounds good about now.
Thanks Rufus, we love tapas anywhere !
Yay you! I love love LOVE seeing familiar faces on the Freshly Pressed cue — congrats!
And I ADORE the pic of the five men. Quite awesome, really…
🙂
Mikalee
Thanks, Mikalee. Support from a pro puffs my chest ! Hope things are looking up for you.
Aw shucks…definitely not a pro. Just having fun. But you, my friend, seem to be having FAR more fun than I am!
Have some tapas and a cerveza (or vino) for me, k?
😉
Looking forward to seeing the trip through the painters eyes! Congrats on being Freshly Pressed!
Thank you.
Nice blog site!
JTE in Texas
Thank you, Jul. Hey, my “outlaws” just came back from a Texas visit. They had a great time.
What an amazing trip and fabulous photos! As an artist, I appreciate what a creativity-enriching expereince this must have been!
And congrats on Freshly Pressed!
Kathy
Thank you, Kathy. I believe in responding to all the comments during my Freshly Pressed spree so when that is through I’ll talk about the creative journey a bit and post the paintings.
Amazing photos!
Thank you. Glad you liked them
Congrats on Freshly Pressed! Your pictures are great! I especially loved the one with the men sitting, and the last of the flamenco dancer.
Thank you, Ashley. There were two benches with old guys chatting. I’ll post the other bench up too. 🙂
Andalucia is one of my favorite places in the world. Just looking at your pix made me long for a parasol, sunglasses and a cold drink!
Hope you’ll post some of your paintings.
Paintings coming up. Andalucia is indeed lovely. Pack your holiday books !! 🙂
Beautiful place! 🙂
Absolutely, Barry. Thanks for commenting. 🙂
Oh my…I need to go to Spain! These photos are beautiful!!
And I agree with broadsideblog…you should post some photos of your paintings as well! 🙂
Spain is so………atmospheric and welcoming and damn sunny. Just great. I’ll get the paintings up when I’ve done all the holiday washing. 🙂 Thanks for the lovely comments. 🙂
Fantastic piece and wonderful pictures. Congratulations on being Freshly Pressed.
Thank you,,MD.
Beautiful photos! I can’t wait to get over there to Spain 🙂
Thanks, Lakia. It’s worth the effort.
Ah lovely Spain!!! Great Entries!
Thank you, Marija. BTW your blog looks cool. I’ll check back. 🙂
Beautiful!
Thanks Carlie. I’m gonna check out your work too.
Freshly Pressed! More to be smug about! Glad you’re having an awesome trip Alan 🙂 Looking forward to pics of your paintings 😉
Hi Mun, I’m behind on my subs I’m afraid but I’ll catch up. Thanks for dropping by again and commenting. Paintings on their way. 🙂
You had my attention at “We had a great time with no drips or idiots …” HA!
Wonderfully written post and I’m envious of your adventures … fabulous photos! Cheers, MJ
(( congrats on Fresh Pressed to boot – sweet! ))
Thank you, MJ. Always nice to see you in my store, as it were. 🙂
What beautiful pictures! I can’t wait to see your paintings. 🙂
Hi ladies, thanks for dropping by and the kind comments.
Wonderful images. I had the pleasure of living in southern Spain for two years. The landscapes, people, architecture, and food were some of the best I have ever enjoyed. This post has brought back some very good memories.
You are right. Spain is so full of vibrancy and spirit. I’m glad you had a trip down memory lane. Thanks for your comment. 🙂
Beautiful Photos!! I especially like the photo of the men sitting on the bench!
Thank you. I think this must have been a regular event because some of the shops were actually selling postcards of similar scenes. I guess there’s a lot to chew over in Spain. 🙂
I love sun, sangria, and paint…i think it’s a sign that i must head that direction very soon!
Eva, you should. It is inspiring. Thanks for dropping by and commenting. 🙂
Oh, how lovely! Looks idyllic- why was the village called the village of Ghosts? Love that pic of the flamenco dancer!
Thank you very much. The Village of Ghosts tag came from the Franco days when there was much fighting in the hills (the village really is sunken and hidden deep in a beautiful valley). He insisted that the occupants leave at night, only to return to tend their flock during the day. Thus the name. It was then abandoned for 50 years until recent times when it was renovated and brought back to life. Very atmospheric place.
Mediteranean landscape. And how are the tapas and the cervezas, beers and tapas?
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Tapas, beers and wines were great. We love Med countries and visit Italy too quite a lot. thanks for dropping by and commenting. 🙂
Super post. Found you via Freshly Pressed – many congratulations on that! I was going to ask you about the village too. I know some parts of Andalucia from years back, and I know it’s changed a lot. That village sounds and looks like somewhere I need to go if I ever make it back. And isn’t flamenco wonderful! Now and then dancers or companies visit us in the Canary Islands, and I always go if I can. Even though I only understand a fraction of the lyrics, the dancing and the atmosphere is enough to set my heart going!
Having just read your “about me” I have to say I love your philosophy too! As I child of the 60s too, I was delighted to find myself still in tact a few years back after all the years of trying to conform! Good for you!
Thank you,islandmomma. Flamenco is indeed great. Music communicates. You don’t need to understand the lyrics and flamenco has such power that you can probably follow what the song is about anyway, can’t you. Canary Islands is a great spot too. I’m sure you are enjoying it. 🙂
Lovely photos and fantastic writing.
Thank you very much. 🙂
Your pictures and descriptions really made me reminisce of Andalucia. Look forward to seeing some of the artwork!
Thank you very much. 🙂 Artwork on it’s way.
Love the photos, especially the flamenco dancer, but I want to see the PAINTINGS!!!!! x
Hi Pollyanna, I have so much to do. Paintings coming. Thank you for commenting on my blog. 🙂
Fab pics. I’m so jealous as I am of everyone who has great holidays!
Thank you, sir. Glad you liked them.
I live about 40 minutes from Torrox and have done so for nearly 12 years, surprisingly, I have never stopped in the town, but it is now on my to do list. My little town is right on the sea, and if you come back to the area, you should stop by, you like all the rest, would love it! Congrats on being freshly pressed. Let’s see some of these paintings!
Torrox Pueblo is a sweet little place. It really does have a laid back atmosphere in the centre of the Plaza. Check it out when you are driving by and have a little tapas at Paco’s Bar or the Bar Aries, both are fine. 🙂
This was breathtaking, Al! The reading and the pictures! I’m looking forward to seeing more and reading more. Glad your trip was so amazing!
It sure was Ré. I’ll post more later this week. 🙂
Lovely lovely pictures 🙂 Look forward to seeing your paintings too! We saw a Flamenco performance in Barcelona and I agree with you…it’s poetry in motion 🙂
Flamenco is so powerful, isn’t it ? Glad you liked the pics. Must work on my six-pack though. 🙂
Beautiful city , i love white buldings it protect against sun
Stunning place. So peaceful. Thanks for commenting.
WOW. SUCH a beautiful place! Wanna go there now. Thanks for sharing the beauty!
Glad you liked it, Tamara. Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
What a truly beautiful adventure. Your pictures are outstanding, my favorite is the five men with the vespas on either side. Their faces say so much. Thanks for sharing this wonderful adventure! Oh, and Congrats on Freshly Pressed!
Thanks, Jennifer. The Med is so wonderful as a region. So unique.
Amazing images! Each one tells its own story. The picture of the gents on the bench looks like something that should be turned into an oil or water painting, and as for the Flamenco dancer – the blurred effect is stunning!
Great blog!
Thanks Mark. We’ve got several options for flamenco dancer painting too………….and some starter ideas coming up.
Stunning photos! I was in Malaga back in 2005 and it’s even more beautiful than I remember. My favourite is the photo you…looking well – say me well to y-ur Mrs ;).
K
Stunning photos! I was in Malaga back in 2005 and it’s even more beautiful than I remember. My favourite is the photo of you…looking well – say me well to y-ur Mrs ;).
K
Thanks Kemi. I try to make sure that people get my best side. 🙂
Amazing pictures……Looks like you had soooo much fun!
We certainly did, Kari. Great place to go if you get the chance.
Spain looks and sounds so vibrant! Can’t wait to see the paintings. And is that you in the hat and scarf? Gorgeous and worth painting too!
Congratulations on the press!
Yup, that’s me, trying to look arty. 😉 Thanks for the comments, Lisa . Paintings coming soon.
PS. I also just included you in my list of favorites blogs/sites! http://satsumaart.wordpress.com/2011/06/14/some-favorite-blogssites
Thanks, Lisa. That’s very kind. I’ll check it out.
Thanks for the interlude, good sir!
You are welcome !! 🙂
Ahhhaaaa…super like this post..just for the stunning pics..those white buildings remind me of my village ( Of course, houses are no way stylish n grand but the color n feel entices old memories )
Been a long time since I visited your blog..so very glad to have visited at the right time..cool
Thanks for dropping by, Narendra. I know you are a busy man.
Alan you are obviously going to have to post some paintings up there,,, holding onto the inspiration,,
Trying to keep it going……see, “Is it art or a shower curtain?” …
Reminds me of the Sisterhoods of Traveling Pants movie. Really nice. =)
Thanks, Joanna. However, I don’t remember the movie !! 🙂
OH that looks like a wonderful time! I went to Sevilla as part of our honeymoon a few years ago. Its a nice relaxing town. But to go and paint? How much fun. Maybe I will return in the years to come with a paintbrush in hand. Hope you had fun!
We certainly did, lady. There was sun, food, wine, relaxation, painting and someone else to do all the driving. Sevilla is next years destination. 🙂 Thanks for dropping by my blog and commenting.