This last weekend was a whirlwind of painting, driving, and adventure! I participated in two "Pintura Rápida" competitions, and I want to tell you about the first one in Pedro Abad, a lovely town in Córdoba.
It all started very, very early... at 4:45 AM!
We packed the car in the dark and drove two hours from Málaga. I have to give a huge shout-out to my partner here. Not only does he drive me to these dreams, but he makes the best homemade sandwiches and snacks to keep me going. (If you are an artist, find someone who supports you like this—he doesn't like me saying it publicly, hahaha, but I am so blessed!).
A big watercolor challenge
We arrived just in time for the "Fallo" (the stamping of the canvas) to officially start the competition.
The morning was gloomy and foggy—it feels like autumn is finally arriving in Andalucía! But the weather wasn't the only challenge. I decided to try something new: a huge watercolor format (114cm x 81cm).
Since it's hard to find frames this size, my partner and I actually built it ourselves! We bought the wood, the table, and stretched the paper at home. It was a bit of an experiment, but I was so excited to try it.
Coffee, neighbors, and Calle de Jesús
I found my inspiration in a cozy street called Calle de Jesús, with a view of a beautiful church.
This is the magic of plein air painting. As I was painting, the neighbors started coming out. They were so incredibly sweet! They brought me hot coffee to warm up and snacks.
While I was deep in my colors, my partner was doing his "public relations" work. He loves these small towns (he keeps trying to convince me to move to one so we can create "better art"—but that’s a debate for another blog post!). He set up his computer to work nearby, made friends with the locals, and kept checking on my happy painting place.
A special connection
As the painting took shape, a sweet old couple stopped by.
The lady reminded me so much of my granny back in Ukraine. She was amazed because... I was painting her house! Her street, her balcony, even her car were right there in my picture.
She called her husband over, and they stood there watching me work, telling me stories about their lives and their history in Catalunya before moving back home. You know that feeling when the art connects you to people? It was magical.
The verdict... and a happy ending
At 17:00, the clock ran out! We rushed the painting to the Ayuntamiento for the exhibition in the main square.
It was packed—at least 300 people! It was wonderful to meet some of the masters of the region (who are becoming friends now) and hear their feedback. Everyone was looking at the paintings, and I got so many lovely comments about my big watercolor.
They started announcing the prizes... 5th place (not me), 4th place (not me)... all the way to 1st. I didn't win a prize this time.
But something better happened.
Right there in the square, three different families from Calle de Jesús came up to me. They all wanted to buy the painting!
We started talking, but in the end, the heartwarming story of that beautiful old couple stole everyone's heart (including mine). They had been hovering around the painting as if protecting it! They decided to take it home with them.
So, while I didn't take home a trophy, I went home with a full heart knowing my art is hanging in the very house that inspired it.
See you in the next adventure! Ciao.
Maryna
