capturing shadow play on courtyard steps in Olhao Portugal – watercolour. Disappearing steps symbolise for me – the unknown….
If ever there is a place that is conducive to exploring the creative process….it has been the school in Olhao, Portugal where I have been fortunate enough to teach for quite a few years. A place I had come to think of as a second home….
Situated in the middle of the old fishing town of Olhao, and just a few minutes walk from the waterfront, market, shops, cafes, restaurant, etc. this school has allowed those who have visited to completely immerse themselves into the creative process.
After being met by Nuno at Faro airport, 20 minutes later we enter the School house. It is in this inviting space that so many freshly cooked meals have been served and enjoyed ….all overseen by the beautiful Margarida and Joanna. It has also been a place of many interesting conversations and much laughter:)
Margarida looking up from one of the lower courtyards.
What is it that makes a place conducive to the creative process?
I believe there needs to be a sense of harmony and cohesiveness. I find that when people are running all over the place, never settling…there is fragmentation….which in itself can destroy the flow of creative thought and production.
The School has given us this, a sense of harmony and cohesiveness.
When a new doorway between the School and Pool houses was introduced several years ago there was an immediate sense of further flow and harmony. Almost like taking a huge gasp of fresh air….
The doorway became a metaphor for opening up creative expression.
When teaching I often talk about how changing one tiny part of a painting, changes everything, and so it is true for the doorways of life – we simply have to find and open them.
It is now time to open the doorways of our minds. Time to allow new thinking and creative expression to flow through previously blocked areas.
Flowers for sale at the Saturday Market. 
And of course wonderful fresh fish………..
Visits to Armona Island, a fifteen minute boat ride from Olhao, were always very special. I would like to spend more time on Armona Island. 
150 year old olive tree in main courtyard……a tree synonymous with he School. 
Through the school I have met some wonderful people..and made lasting friendships. I will always be grateful for the day that David Clark contacted me to see if I would be interested in being one of his tutors.
Mostly I thank him for his vision which I believe will live on in ways that none of us is creative enough to know about at this time.
I know that David’s legacy will continue through conversations, paintings, friendships and so much more.
Thank you David, Margarida, Joanna, Nuno (1) and Nuno (2) and I must not forget Carlos who opened up the doorway between the two buildings:)
Sadly the School was yet another victim of Covid!. It is dearly missed, but having said that many of us are still very much in touch and getting together in different places. It’s legacy lives on.
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:)
Saturday market sketch/demo – watercolour/gouache
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. 
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 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
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…
People who sign up for courses at the School in Olhao – 
At this point it doesn’t matter what the subject is, the key is to open one’s eyes and begin to see so that we ready ourselves for the day’s sketching and painting.
After the morning warm up, each person then decides where they would like to sketch. Some choose to stay within the School with its endless supply of inspiration….or to go out into the surrounding alleyways and town…..all within a minute’s walk of the School.
After plein air work some members of the group bring their sketches back to the studio setting where they continue to develop their work.
Those who have followed my blog will know that I believe the creative process in its many forms is the key to mental, physical and spiritual wellbeing, and so the week in Olhao is not only learning about new tools and techniques, but also experiencing those moments of deep contentment and wellbeing that the creative process can bring.
I believe that by loosening up we advance our observational skills. Regardless of what kind of work we would like to develop,….the loosening up process will help you to reach your goal. 
After a morning of sketching – we then join together for lunch at 1 p.m.
We then work from 4 p.m. til 6 ish.
And….lovely Joanna, who does the housekeeping and makes our breakfast every day, brought the twins to see us….who have grown so much.
I couldn’t possibly finish this post without sharing the beautiful portrait of me drawn by six year old Beatrice….(sister to Charlotte)….I will always cherish this.
For more images of the group’s work you can go to Art in the Algarve on Facebook 
A Bientôt
I have written several blogs about the School and how conducive it is to the creative process. David Clarke, founder of the School clearly understood what was needed. He was a man of vision, and I for one will always be grateful for his gift to artists.
Somewhat like the Tardis the outside doesn’t give away its many different levels, rooms, studio, and courtyards.
Given that the School sits in the middle of the old town of Olhao, which is a working fishing town – it is not necessary to get into a car during the entire week. Everything one could need is within minute’s walking distance…..and for many sketching and painting around the town is an endless source of interest and inspiration
Olhao history is long and fascinating…..Dating back to Roman times, with a clear influence from the Moors and Northern Africa, (400 miles away) Much of the town is in need of restoration…however, this gives it a special kind of charm. It is not the usual golf course, commercial touristy Algarve that we tend to see on advertisements….it is quite unique and very ‘earthy’.
Marry the character of the town with the fish markets, busy fishing port and the beautiful Barrier Islands which are just fifteen minutes away, part of the Ria Formosa National Park, and it soon becomes apparent that there is much to explore, observe and paint.
Storks that nesting in Olhao. 
This post is to encourage those who might feel a little nervous of painting in public, to throw caution to the wind, and give it a go……..
One of the watercolours I painted during that visit. I plan to return again this year and do many more sketches there. 
It’s important to remember that when painting outside technique comes second to observing the essence of the subject. The aim is to capture a sense of place…rather than every detail.
When I painted this rapid watercolour/gouache sketch, I was on the edge of a 4,000 ft cliff overlooking the white village of Zuheros, Andalucia, Spain, with forests and olive groves going off into the distance. It was very windy, and numerous lion eagles were flying overhead. An extremely exhilarating moment.
From a pocket sized sketch book – Fishing boats on Armona Island, Portugal…..
I sketched this on a boat in Kinsale Harbour, County Cork Ireland.…and the colours were just like this…..Often when working in sketchbooks, I join up the pages as you can see here. 
Another very happy moment. I was with my dear friends Mariethe Salort (artist) and Bonnie Halsey Dutton (artist). We were celebrating July 4th that day and sketched this village – Courrier-sur-Sein – not too far from Paris……watercolour/gouache. I remember there were lots of little boys who wanted to get in on the action. 🙂
From a pocket sized sketch book off the coast of Akyaka, Turkey. watercolour. 
My Life as an Artist (2) 