Residency at Foz do Douro | Porto, Portugal

July 3-15, 2024

It was my great pleasure to spend some time at a private, informal, self-directed residency organized by my dear friend Miguel Magalhães who happens to be Director of the Culture Program at the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation. Miguel set me up in a lovely flat on the top floor of ancient house in Foz do Douro the seaside neighborhood he grew up in. Foz is a parish of Porto located where the Douro River meets the Atlantic Ocean.

Like many travelers before me, I was enchanted by Porto’s vibrant colorscape and sea-faring energy. If Lisbon is an elegant lady, Porto is her punk little brother.

During my week in residence, I was grateful not only for the time to create, but also for the opportunity to come into relationship with the elements. Being in Porto is like being on the prow of a ship, one gets the full primal force of the sun, the wind, the water. I felt both braced and embraced depending on the weather. During my time there, I made a hand painted travel journal for my host. Beyond my creative exploration and output, I enjoyed quiet solo time rooted in joy and stillness. These residencies are as much about presence as they are about painting.

It was an honor to be there.

MU 2024