Joya: AiR / Massiel Mafes / USA

"I arrived at Joya: AiR with only a small pink sketchbook, oil pastels, and acrylic paint. I had no clue what I was going to make, but I was excited. Each day I would glance through the studio window and observe the beautiful Spanish landscape. I mixed a lot of paint, and created various color palettes. I often wrote down my thoughts and drew objects that caught my attention as I hiked up or down the hill. It was a bittersweet feeling to have to leave this place - a place where I met wonderful artists, had conversations about life and art, shared laughs, and learned about new cultures. I am very grateful to Simon and Donna for giving me the time and space to nurture my artistic practice, stay in their home, and eat their delicious meals. I left feeling inspired and ready to make new work in my studio in San Francisco. I will always remember this place as the hidden gem in Vélez-Blanco".

Massiel Mafes

https://www.massielmafes.com/