It’s important to note that when I was born at the end of WW2 the concept of social media…would have been pure science fiction. This means that I had the good fortune to live for most of my life without it – which in turn means that I am equipped to live in both worlds – the real and the virtual……
The very real world of David’s courtyard in Olhao Portugal – watercolour
I dipped my toes into the virtual world about 18 years ago when living in Wales. At that time, the WDA (Welsh Development Agency) decreed that every town, village and hamlet would have something called a tele-cottage…..This is where I learned the basic first steps of how to use a computer.
Olhao Portugal – close to the School – watercolour
Without a real plan, I signed up for FB very early on (thirteen years ago) and began writing a blog about the same time…..It didn’t take long for me to recognise the potential of this medium….especially for visual creatives.
I had always been a letter writer, keeping up with friends over the years using snail mail….but all of a sudden I was able to communicate at a whole new level.
Four watercolour studies of shadow play on the courtyard olive tree at the school in Olhao Portugal. http://www.artinthealgarve.com
Through social media I was able to share my images. It gave a platform for my magical hummingbirds, in ways that I could only have imagined before.
It didn’t take too long before my name became synonymous with the magical hummingbird along with the symbolic meaning these little birds hold for me. – i.e. the ‘unseen energy’ in our world.
watercolour. 
Other elements of my work took on different forms after the advent of social media.
I have given workshops of one kind or another for forty years….but now through cyber space I was reaching people from around the world, people who were interested in my teaching either in life or on line……
Which brings me to my next stage……Web cam. videos.
Courtyard steps in Olhao Portugal. – watercolour
During my workshop in Olhao Portugal last month, Dora Keogh, suggested that I make some web cam videos….
About six years ago I made a few youtube ‘taster’ videos. To do anything more I knew I would need someone who understands web cam technology. Immediately Richard, the man who has fixed my computer for several years came to mind. All things being equal it looks like we will begin this process very soon………….
From one of my sketchbooks in Olhao Portugal last month…..this is what I call note taking. 
Watercolour taken from sketchbook notes – of one of my favourite Olhao trees. 
Another watercolour from the little courtyard at David’s house in Olhao Portugal 
There is so much more to write on this subject which I will share in future posts.
The key is to treat social media as you would treat dealings in the real world and most importantly to always follow through and do what you say you are going to do.
watercolour/gouache
A bientot
Janet
Simply going about our daily lives can often take great courage….however, every now and then someone we meet reminds us what the word really means This was the case during my recent workshop in Portugal.
I learned that along with mobility issues, Angela had recently recovered from cancer. I also learned that she had not travelled for over fifteen years. As she didn’t know me or anyone else in the group….Angela’s signing up for the course was an act of courage and trust.
Although 
When everything is in place in our lives….health, money, etc. exhibiting courage can be easier. We have more confidence when these vital elements are in place. What ‘separates the men from the boys’, is when those vital ingredients aren’t in place, particularly with regards to health. Then exhibiting courage can be more difficult.
This quote is from Angela when talking about loosening up.
Wishing one and all a peaceful and creative day.
MOIRA
MOIRA – I like the drama in this piece
Trees in the Nature Reserve Pine Woods by DORA
DORA – Joe reclining on Armona beach with Olhao in the distance…
NAN’s lovely Armona Island sketch 
ANGELA – from imagination. 
BOB – B0B – Reflections from the Mill – Parque Natural da Ria Formosa
I couldn’t finish this post without including our two non-painters Joe and Alan. They contributed so much to the week on many levels and were a great deal of fun. 
We were a group of seventeen. Thirteen stayed in the School and four of us were billeted in ‘David’s house’ just two minutes away. (David, a man of vision, was the founder of the school.
After breakfast the day always begins with a demonstration….and then we paint until 1 p.m.ish when we have lunch, either at the School or at a local restaurant.
The emphasis of the course is all about observation, imagination and of course loosening up. Use of sketch books is vital. 
Part of the goal was to take our sketch books back to the studio and make paintings from the sketches (these watercolours will be shown in next blog)…..Here we enjoyed a beautiful day at the Parque Natural da Ria Formosa. It was my first visit there, and I would definitely go back again. 
Having walked through beautiful pine trees, we were confronted with this lovely view of the old Mill. Needless to say we concentrated on reflections….
Friday was spent on beautiful Armona Island – a fifteen minute boat ride away…when lots of sketching was done and another delicious lunch enjoyed at a Beach cafe. 
Giving a little demo on Armona Beach…..a lovely moment. 
Moira and Dora enjoying the jazz……
Enjoying a delicious tapas meal at ‘David’s Bar’. a fun evening. 
And in another local restaurant
After another day of sketching and painting I did a couple of portrait demonstrations.
My view as I reclined on the chaise in the Pool House courtyard….for my daily siesta:). The healing nature of naps…..I love them. 
Quick watercolour/pen sketch taken from the Saturday market. 
Angela hanging around the ice cream shop……I was there to, but you can’t see me:)
Because everyone produced so much good work, plus filled sketch books, I am putting the work of participants on a second blog……
Early morning walk through Olhao when the town is still relatively quiet and cool. 
The lovely 150 year old olive tree that meanders from one of the internal courtyards up to the top level of the School. 
It is my friend Tony’s eightieth birthday today.
Tony is a man of his word and completely trustworthy. When I first met Tony I was going through a difficult period and it’s fair to say that in many ways my trust of others had been tarnished. Over the years, Tony has been one of those people who has helped to restore that trust within me.
May hummingbirds surround you this and every other day…..watercolour/gouache
I am now very excited about the upcoming course at the school in Portugal (
Like most people throughout my life I have experienced some important turning points. Usually events that I could never have imagined….and often events that turn out to be blessings in disguise. When these events occur, I have found that it’s important to embrace them no matter how uncomfortable they might be. My recent blip has turned out to be such an event.
“When you are convinced that all the exits are blocked, either you take to believing in miracles or you stand still like the hummingbird. The miracle is that the honey is always there, right under your nose, only you were too busy searching elsewhere to realise it. The worst is not death but being blind, blind to the fact that everything about life is in the nature of the miraculous.” Henry Miller. 
We tend to ignore the fact that there is a vast tapestry of energy that exists beyond our five senses…..that there is an unseen order of things. For me the hummingbird symbolises this.
And finally the beautiful olive tree in the courtyard at the School in Olhao. 
Have a lovely day and week ahead.
Gail – watercolour
On Saturday we drove to Viking Bay Broadstairs to reminisce. It turned out to be a perfect day in every way including the weather.
Overlooking this part of the beach is the old band stand….a place I always enjoyed as a child. I have special memories of when my Grandmother would take me to Broadstairs for the week….just the two of us. She would allow me to do all sorts of things including enter the talent competitions held on the band stand. Such happy memories:)
Sixty three years, before when I was ten years old….close to the pier. Time is such an illusion. 
As we walked along the promenade we happened upon this lovely woman with her even lovelier cat:). Apparently the cat walked with her every day to the beach. When we came across her, I had just been saying how much I look forward to having another cat of my own. A good omen I think…..
We then walked to the pier where we had the most delicious fish and chips….watched over by this very healthy looking seagull who I am glad to report behaved him/herself. 
All the while, we talked about our childhood memories….It was such a gentle, lovely day….and again another reminder of the importance of making the most of every single moment.
