It never ceases to amaze me that round every dizzy Alpujarran corner a talented artist is even now pacing his or her studio, designing and making something beautiful, original and collectible. Without even trying, I can tell you what three 'creative campesinos' are currently working on in these here hills pre-Christmas.
Thanks to my friend Hiam Odds in Orgiva for bringing this example to my attention:
MARTA MOIA: Fragmentos del Sur
Marta Moia was born in Argentina and studied fine arts and theatre design there. She moved to London, studied at Chelsea School of Art and worked with Saint Laurent and Liberty among others. She's also produced her own range of furnishing fabrics in her signature Mediterranean shades, with 'haute couture' one-off designs for buyers in London, Paris and Tokyo.
Since 2003, she's been living and working in Orgiva. Her latest show is inspired by Moroccan and Andalucian tile and textile designs. It opens at the Sala Alpujarra in Orgiva (in the main plaza) at 6.00 pm on 30 November, and runs from 1st to 9th December. Go and drink in the wonderful colours and shapes.
Next, art you can wear: Horsewoman and master goldsmith Rachel Mackie, (Artist on the Hoof, 11 March 2007, 'Our Town') just made me a new improved wedding ring. (After a bad allergic reaction to a wasp sting, my 15-year old gold and platinum finger friend had to be cut off by the clinic in Orgiva). Like Rachel, it's a delightful original with a practical twist. She remade my old ring and used it to loosely encircle a wider band of silver, so that it turns and moves freely and won't get embedded again as I get
older and fatter.
In fact, Rachel has just built a light-filled workshop in her old stables, where you can learn to work with precious and semi-precious stones and metals, to create your own unique baubles. Classes are held on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 10.30 am till 1.30 pm. Bring a carrot. (Joke). Call Rachel on 958 784 137 to find out more. And check out her website, Heirloom Treasures, for glittering gifts.
Finally, whether you live in Andalucia full time, have a holiday place here, or just aspire to one or the
other, you might like something for Christmas to help with the creative visualisation. So I invite you to take a look at Fred's Flickr site (click on the garlic in the right hand column of Andalucid) and take your pick of colour or black and white images of Andalucia's people, places, architecture and foods. Select your chosen image and email me at fshively@mac.com, before 19 November for overseas orders, before 30 November for orders within Spain. We are doing a special Christmas price of €60 (PDS STG42, $85.00), a substantial saving on our usual price of €75 for matted and signed limited edition prints. Okay, end of shameless sales pitch!
Finally, talking of useful and beautiful, we were delighted to meet up this weekend with Ben and Marina from Notes In Spanish/Notes From Spain. These international language learning stars (to their many fans worldwide) touched down in Lanjaron for a few days, and recorded a podcast with me and Fred about our adopted town. It was rather late and we were rather full after a delicious meal at the Alcadima Hotel, but I think we 'sold' Lanjaron with sincere enthusiasm...see what you think and let us know!
¡hasta next time!
