Joya: AiR / Brooke Gassiot / USA
photo Simon Beckmann
Joya: AiR / Brooke Gassiot / USA
“Off-grid and on the edge of Andalucía, nestled in the dry, rolling hills of national parkland dotted with almond trees and wild rosemary is Joya: AiR. This tucked-away art residency is created and cared for with love and intention by Donna and Simon.
Joya offers a rare chance to be truly steeped in creativity. Anyone who has tried to piece together ideas from scattered fragments knows the power of uninterrupted time—to build momentum, to settle into thought, to truly listen to what stirs inside.
Back home now, I think back to the decadence of those days: meals from Donna, who loves food so deeply she paints watercolors of the light waves emitted by different ingredients. The studio—crafted by Simon from plaster, cement, and esparto grass, with radiant heat floors powered by solar and wind—was a sanctuary. We were constantly mindful of the precious resource of water each time we turned on a faucet. Every detail at the residency was intentional, sustainable, and thoughtfully designed.
We felt completely at home, surrounded by Frida the dog, Foufou the goat, and the old Land Rover that carried us past castle ruins and olive groves. Taken down muddy roads, past momentarily flowing 'barrancos', to the white hacienda that gleamed like a beacon of refuge.
Evenings were filled with laughter, stories, and shared meals with fellow artists from around the world. Though we spoke different native languages, English—with its many accents—bridged our conversations. What united us all was the shared pursuit of seeing the world more deeply through our work. Every day brought spontaneous collaborations, generous exchanges of skills, and inspiration across disciplines.
Perhaps the most treasured part of our stay was the open space to simply create—to think, to paint, to experiment. To go to sleep and wake up with art at the forefront of my mind for two uninterrupted weeks. The momentum this gifted to my practice is priceless.
And maybe even more treasured: the friendships forged, and the knowing that such a place exists in the world—a space built with so much care, love, and intention.
With deep gratitude to Donna and Simon for making it all possible”.
Brooke Gassiot
Instagram @gassiotstudio