The Gaudiness of Barcelona!
Last week I went on an art trip to Barcelona with my buddies from Pure Arts Group. I have been to Barce before but only for half a day due to unforeseen circumstances. i.e. I was travelling around Europe with my mate, and we forgot that the Olympics were on in Barcelona. Being very ‘ad-hoc’ travellers, we hadn’t booked any accommodation, so unsurprisingly our only options were to sleep on a park bench or to get an overnight coach to our next destination. We chose the second option, being sensible for once. (no photo’s because it was 1992).
This trip was 100% more positive! Fellow artist/buddy Liliana and I stayed in a gorgeous B&B in Eixample district called BAC Home B&B. It was in one of those fabulous tall buildings with ironwork balconies and a clanky old ironwork lift that sounded a very loud alarm every time we took longer than 2 seconds to get in or out of the lift. This is fine apart from when you are creeping in at 2am and get shouted at by the lift, presumably waking most of the residents.
The first day we went to several commercial galleries and wandered around the arty district of Eixample and the shopping area of Passeig de Gracia. Me and Liliana found our new favourite shopBimba Y Lola where we tried on the whole shop but couldn’t decide. In the end I came away with a charm bracelet that is very ‘me’, but none of the shoes I tried because they were all gorgeous but a wee bit out of my price range.
That night we went to Bobby's Free Barber Shop, where you go through a secret door with a password. You are then allowed through heavy curtains into a speakeasy bar with luxe furnishings and low lighting. The more tired members of the group departed after one drink, so Liliana and I went to La Whiskeria which was amazeballs with short strong cocktails that were almost on par with my favourite cocktail bar Couch Stirchley. The venue was beautiful with a long whiskey bar, walls of books and mix and match furniture.
The next day we went to the gothic area which was incredibly touristy but had lots of winding alleyways and passages offering overpriced offerings. We found a couple of commercial galleries to peruse but nothing jumped out at us.
During the afternoon we visited Gaudi’s house Casa Batllo, which was absolutely breathtaking. A true work of art of a building with every detail carefully aligned with the style and genius of Gaudi. I particularly loved the way the central light fittings in each room created shadows that echoed the swirls or graphic patterns of the ceilings, mosaics and windowpanes. It was the perfect day to visit as the sun streamed through the coloured glass in so many of the windows, throwing a rainbow of patterns on the parquet floors. I came away totally inspired to use the shapes and colours in my paintings. I was desperate to get to the studio to get my fleeting thoughts cemented into a Barcelona collection.
That night we headed back to the Gothic area for dancing and tapas at Flamenco Palau Dalmases for some very authentic and engaging flamenco.
On our last day half of the group left us to head back to the UK whilst four of us had an extra day. Liliana, Caitlin, Kris and I decided to go to the Moco Museum in the morning where we emersed ourselves in the thought-provoking work of Banksy and Basquiat. But I must admit, my favourite bit was the frivolous and fabulous infinity room with everchanging kaleidoscope of lights. Lots of fun was had taking ceiling and floor selfies for our Pure Arts stories.
Afterwards Kris and Caitlin took us to their favourite café Carmelia Art Cafe to try the pistachio cheesecake. And I can honestly say it was the BEST cheesecake I have ever had (and I have had lots). I would make the trip back to Barce for this alone!
Best ever cheesecake at Art cafe
Kris and Caitlin had to go catch a flight so us two stragglers went to source out the gallery that we had spotted a couple of days before, as they were setting up a new exhibition. This was the Reuben Torres Gallery which was showing a selection of large abstract landscapes by Marc Sisquella. All I can say is that these paintings are exquisite. One of the highlights of our trip. Marc is one to watch for sure. The gallery was great, and we had good chats with Reuben and his lovely assistant too.
Galeria Reuben Torres - Marc Sisquella solo
As my travel buddies know I’m not good at goodbyes and leaving Liliana as we both headed to different airports (mine budget airlines and hers, better ones) was almost tearful. Not because it will be yonks until we meet again (3 weeks lol), but because we didn’t want it to end. What fun was had, with so many belly laughs and creative brainstorming. Watch this space for a Barcelona inspired collection.
Barcelona we enjoyed you so much, and we WILL be back.
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