Joya: AiR / Lilian Cooper / NED-GBR
photo Simon Beckmann
“I would definitely like to return to Joya: AiR. It was a brief but productive residency: I had creative space, every day I walked and absorbed the landscape. I grew fascinated by the worked landscape and the tilled soil patterns. I walked through blossoming almond groves and smelt wild rosemary. At night I dined on delicious food (thank you Donna), including some of the rocket that grows everywhere and flowered abundantly during my stay.
I work outside and I took a backpack and drew and photographed as much as I could. Most of all it was the new directions my explorations in the Sierra María-Los Vélez Natural Park took that have excited me. I carefully carried back a bag of clay to my studio at home and I wait to see what will happen. For me Joya: AiR was a time to think, to explore creatively, to be surrounded by other artists, good conversations and delicious food. My room was a little haven of quiet with an extraordinary view of an olive tree and the mountains beyond.
Donna and Simon thank you for inviting me. Your hospitality was generous and warm. Joya: AiR possesses an infectious creativity and it was a pleasure to be part of this”.