After the weekend I return to the School in Olhao, Portugal – hard to believe another year has past. http://www.artinthealgarve.com
It’s always lovely to be reunited with the olive tree that meanders up through the internal courtyards all the way to the roof of the School – and given that sun and warm weather is forecast there will be lots of wonderful shadow play to observe and paint:) After a long, wet, cold winter it will be wonderful….and oh the light, let’s not forget the light. 
I always look forward to being at the School – seeing Margarita and the rest of the team who make it feel like home, and being immersed in what I feel is one of the more conducive places to explore the creative process. This year I am looking forward to it more than ever.
one of the exterior stairways in the School – watercolour
One of the group sketching on Armona Island – 15 minute boat ride from the School. 
Quick sketch of fishing boats – watercolour
The studio 
From top level of the School where the rooftops of old Olhao can be seen. There is a small pool on the roof and another in one of the ground floor courtyards. 
Storks nesting top of one of the Olhao churches. Olhao part of the Ria Formosa National Park is a superb place for birders. 
Olhao is a working fishing town…. fish from the local market
sketching in the alley behind the School 
Playful hummingbirds to set the mood – watercolour.
Those who follow my blog will know that when I am away and painting, other than checking e mails, I have a holiday from blogging and social media…
After I return from Portugal I will have six days and then on 3rd May I fly to Boston. I will post a blog before leaving.
A Bientot
http://www.janetweightreed.co.uk
My Life as an Artist (2) 
Wonderful post Janet. I hope you’ve filled your batteries in Portugal, and I am sure that you are ready for new wonderful paintings 🙂
Thank you very much Ben. I always love going to this School….Janet 🙂
Splendid post…Have a Super Time….I’m sure you shall…..Hummingbird Hugs…and Love! ❤
Thank you so much Bushka. I am really looking forward to it. Hope you are having a lovely day – Janet xxx
All’s Well! Hugs! ❤
Dear Janet, you are zipping about like a hummingbird! ❤ I never tire of seeing your pictures and paintings of the school. Such a magical place. Safe journey and enjoy! Hugs on the wing!
Hi Teagan. Yes, I am just like a hummingbird – and I love it 🙂 It really is a magical place…Hopefully I will bring back new photographs. Thank you so much – Janet xxx
Have a wonderful time, painting.
Thank you very much – Janet 🙂
I think I’ve left it too late to fold myself into your suitcase! xx
Oh, buggar buggar bum…..and I would love to have fit you in 🙂 Next time Sarah. Sending hummingbird hugs – janet xxx
I’m glad I’ve made you feel bad! xxx
:):)x
Aaaah, I can not help but sigh ahhhh as I read you, my dear sister in art, Janet. I love Portugal, love Olhao, the sun, the light the scent of almonds and lemons and the photo of the studio … aaahhhh ❤
I will be thinking about you dear Vera – my sister in art – and I am quite sure talking about you and your art. One of these years you must come to the School. I think you would love it….and yes I cannot wait for the light, sun, almonds, lemon, fish, and so much more. xxx
Oh, yes, I want to see this fabolous school and I am so happy that you can stay at this wonderful place. It is a heartopener ❤
Reblogged this on Green, Health & Happiness.
Great post and awesome images.
Thank you so much Peter and also for the reblog…always appreciated. Hope all is well with you in NZ as you now move into spring time 🙂 x
Have a wonderful and productive time in Portugal and, if I don’t get the chance to see your post when you return, enjoy your family visit in Boston, dear Janet! ❤
Thank you very much Timi. I am so looking forward to Portugal and the States. Hope you continue to be as creative as ever and of course enjoy life to the full. Janet 🙂 x
Without a doubt this haven is a painters paradise! It will be wonderful to have the sun on your back again, have a blast! Looking forward to hearing all about it!xxxx
Good morning Dina….Yes, I cannot wait to feel the warm sun on my face and to be back at the school, which you rightly say is a painters paradise 🙂 Hope you enjoy a lovely weekend. janet xxxx
Oh I so enjoy your visits to the art school in Portugal, Janet. Really liked seeing these photos of the school, especially the work stations, something I find fascinating. Fun to see talented sketchers posted in quiet places, exercising and honing their skills. The light here, I can see why it is so attractive to you and other artists. Great to see the stork nest too. Your paintings here are each a sweep of utter beauty. The stairway with the lights and color, movement and greenery; the seaside with fishing boats, so colorful, the masts and sky; and the hummingbirds, one in swiftness, and the other a rackettail, a species I live to see. I hope I have caught you before take-off, to wish you a blissful visit to this place you so love. But if not, you’ll know I am thinking of you in your travels ahead, and wishing you, as always, the best.
Hi dear Jet…yes you have caught me. I leave in a couple of hours…and am looking forward so much to arriving at the School and seeing everyone there. I will post a blog when I get back and before i leave for the States on the 3rd….all very exciting. Thinking of you as spring brings new growth to your home and properly and the hummingbirds build new nests. Thank you – Jet. 🙂
Bon Voyage dear friend. I am assuming your trip to the States will be east coast this time. Whenever you visit the west, I would hope you would let me know and we hook up somehow. Until then — have a great time!
Returned from a wonderful time in Portugal…and am now preparing for departure to Boston on Thursday. yes, east coast this time, but west coast the next 🙂 Sending you hummingbird hugs. Janet 🙂
Thanks so much for the heads-up on your itinerary, Janet. Have a really wonderful trip to the US east coast. Thinking of you, have safe travels. 🙂
Wow Janet you’re do lucky to spend time in such a wonderful place…I can imagine how it fills you with creativity 😁
Thank you very much – and yes I am very fortunate to spend time at this School. I will be leaving shortly with a big smile on my face 🙂 Janet
You always show such beautiful colours! I love that they feel so natural whilst still being vibrant 🙂
Thank you very much Julia…I love colour and appreciate your comment. Janet 🙂
Wishing you a very beautiful and happy holiday.
Thank you dear Shimon. Had a wonderful time in Portugal and a now preparing for departure to Boston on Thursday. I will be back here in June….when I plan to catch up with blogs….meanwhile sending you and Nechame hummingbird hugs. Janet 🙂 xx
enjoy, enjoy!
Hi Janet,
It’s good to see that you’re back at beautiful Olhao where your creativity seems to flourish. I enjoy your sketches of that stairway and the fishing boat, and a photo of storks. Seeing the photo of the studio without anyone in it makes me think of how many studios you have entered and what joy it must be to do so, stepping into your right milieu where you may feel more at home than in any other place. I’ve had such feelings too and am so happy for you.
Diana and I are sorry that our getting together with you while you’re here in the U.S. didn’t work out. We will be soon starting to plan next year’s visit to England, Ireland, and Wales.. So maybe then…
Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy your trip
Best,
David
Good morning David. Back after a wonderful week in Portugal and now preparing for departure on the 3rd. I will look forward to seeing you and Diana somewhere on these Isles next year. Meanwhile happy June to you both . Janet 🙂