Reflections from My Residency in Portugal

I’ve returned from three weeks at the Orto artist residency in Portugal. The days were steady and productive. I worked in a stone studio, sometimes with a goose keeping me company, and built a new body of work that pushed my ideas forward.

The residency wasn’t just about studio time. I shared it with two strong artists — Sonja Trabandt, a photographer from Germany, and Franziska Noessing, a painter from Austria. Their energy and perspective gave the days more depth.

Not all the days were indoors. The Atlantic was close.

A break at the beach — salt, wind, and long walks.

The sea gave the brain a reset. Then back to the work.

Nights were simple but good: talk, food, and wine under the lights and the moon.

Watching the animals, hearing them, became part of the landscape.

I’ll soon hold an Open Studio to show this new work. The date is coming shortly, and I’d love to see you there.

Thank you for following along. Your support makes these experiences possible, and I’m glad to share the results with you.