I've just touched down these past couple days back home in Ashland, Oregon. My magical three weeks in San Miguel de Allende all wrapped up and tucked into the memory banks. There was so many gifts from my trip and I've been wanting to just savor every feeling and all the ideas, thoughts and awakenings that happened there. I was in rare and fabulous company in Mexico. Meeting up with artist comrade and inspirationalist, Flora Bowley, who encouraged me to get my butt back to San Miguel. It was a treat to be with a handful of full time artists. Also in through various times in the Mexico house came, Rachael Rice,Alena Hennesy, and Jill Golden. We had lots of creative time (see that here and more to come) but we had a chance to sink into the charming town and really take it all in. For me texture, color, sound, and smell where all very powerful players in this community of delight. Cobblestone alleyways, stone and cement houses, breaking through with bougainvillea and succulent gardens spilling from rooftops and peeking through gates. Everyday was a new visual adventure. As the giant wooden doors that flank the sidewalks would be open or closed the landscape on each street changed daily. Like a game of "Memory", to try and remember what lies behind each door. Some days when I was alone I could snake my way more stealthily into hotel courtyards and special zones to see what secrets they held. (harder to do with instagram-crazed groups) I know I'm speaking pretty flowery about San Miguel, but I'm not sure there's any other way to describe it. (Side note! This cutie below in the Oaxacan traditional dress is our PAPAYA! South African distributor, the beautiful Yolande! How cool is that. A wonderful wy to get to know each other)There was all the classics too. Margaritas, guacamole, churros!, amazing coffees, handmade tortillas, taco incense everywhere and hybrid cafe's throughout the city for us to fatten up on. We had many a sunset on gorgeous rooftop restaurants wrapped in our market shawls and ponchos. Thank you San Miguel for your sophisticated, textured and layered beauty. Your kindness, hospitality and heart. I will miss your hidden passageways, your bumpy streets, your flower-laden cement. I will remember the peaceful energy you gave to me, the artists you inspire and the hummingbirds. Ps. Thanks for putting up with my stinking spanish, my gringa enthusiasm, and my shopping habbits. Until we meet again Mexico... To see more from my trip you can also visit my instagram page. xoxo...
I am the founding artist of PAPAYA! and our flagship, PAPAYA! Living Boutique in Ashland, Oregon, USA. This is my persuit of creative abandon. I'm here to share my artwork, inspiration, travels and lifestyle. To learn more visit the tabs at the top of this blog. Xoxox...
|
Fantastic images! WOW!
Posted by: Dianne Quan | February 11, 2014 at 11:23 AM