๐จโ๐จ๐ฉโ๐จ The PIGMALION Art Colony and Falling in Love with Serbia
When I first received the invitation last year, to participate in an art colony in Serbia, I had no idea, what to think of it. In fact, if it hadn't come from a friend, the reputable Serbian painter Snezana Petrovic, I would have most likely completely ignored it... which, as I know now, would have been a big mistake.
It took some time and explanations to sort out the details and for me to understand what it was all about. I learned, that Serbia has a long tradition of these so called art colonies and that they could be anything from a few guys meeting on a village square for a day to a highly professionally organized event like "PIGMALION".
This is a project run by Slovenian entrepreneur Gorazd Cuk, who just built a new home for his colony surrounded by the lavender and other fields of his plantation in the beautiful countryside of southern Serbia.
I was there with my beautiful wife Karin and my extraordinarily gifted colleagues @gric and @kathrina-sofie, who "tattoed" the colony logo on Karin's arm with an eyeliner!
The famos Serbian painter Danica Masnikoviฤ was also there. Goran Mitrovic was there for an afternoon and contributed an absolutely fantastic painting, he prepared at his studio.
The above foto shows the group, together with our host Gorazd Cuk and this years selector of artists Maja Zivanovic.
I had started my painting a few weeks ago, since I knew it was going to be too much work to finish while I was there. I posted the work in progress in a few previous posts about "Libra". Gorazd Cuk asked me to paint this, as it is also his zodiac sign, like mine, and he had seen an earlier version of the painting.
For me it was great to set up my workspace outside and to paint with my colleagues and talk about our work and god and the world :-)
Of course it was nice, to have all these pretty girls around ;-)
Made it hard to stay focused on working though... eventually, I decided to finish my painting at home for the exhibition planed in Belgrade. It still needs a lot of work in the shadows and to get the colors richer and more deep.
Gorazd Cuk seemed to like the progress I made and also the drawing I made in his.. ahm... sketch book.
Karin is such fun to be around and she is very creative... Since she modeled for the painting in the first place, she said, we could just as well show it "complete" ;-)
There were also other activities, like going to the city of Nis nearby, where I learned a lot about Serbian History and tradition. After some sightseeing, we spent a great evening there with yet another delicious meal.
One evening friends of the host and other artists came over for a great dinner and party. Ahm... sorry folks.. don't think adding those pictures will help my career ;-)
Of course, I could not pass the opportunity, to check out some heavy machinery, we found nearby...
Oh, and... did Imention the food? Mr. Cuk employed two exceptionally gifted ladies, who really spoiled us with all kinds of local specialties. On top of that, the one lady's daughter, who is a professional chef, stopped by almost every day with more goodies. It was great to have a box with extra cookies for trip back...
It was very hard to leave this little paradise with all these wonderful and warm hearted people. We will be back for sure!
This looks like so much fun! I wish I could afford to fly the lot of you over here and we could have a pigmalion at my pad, though it would probably not be as luxurious as this, but there'd be some shoreline to sketch.
I LOVE that pic of your darling wif posing with her painted likeness. That image should be a painting as well! It fits so perfectly and the colours too.
Did you get to drive that machinery or just pose with it?
Now I want a holiday in Serbia.
Oh, that would be such a thrill, for all of us to come over. We should start a campaign on Patreon or something like that... and nothing to worry. Your place by the sea looks wonderful, plus its not about luxuries, but about the gathering and sharing views and ideas!
I only sat on that machine for the photo, although I would have loved to move around with it ๐
Come Donna come :)))
That made me wishing to have joined the party. What a wonderful gathering and location and host you had. I like the atmosphere between your wife and you, too. Good that you let us have a little peep. Also beautiful legs, she has.
Painting outside is for sure less convenient and more exhausting but so worth the experience, no?
I got also the feeling of former painters who left the cities and painted in nature.
Thank you for sharing this!
Lots of love,
Erika
P.S. to have a paradise one has to leave it. ;-)
Hehe... everyone always thinks of the party! Tsts...
But yes, everything else was perfect, including the fact, that I could bring my wife. She is wonderful :-)
I enjoyed painting outside. Thing is, I could do it at home too, but I guess I'm too lazy to set up.. and in Germany, you never know when the rain hits....
Much love back for you ๐
Can you please visit my blog? I feel bored and lazy. I need this sort of brilliant comment of yours. HaHa! Hope to catch you by your vanity.
Weather is not inviting at all to go outside. ... I guess I have to much time on my hands this weekend. But also cannot drag myself to go out. I could clean the apartment, though. LOL!
Looking right now at your painting from where I crouch on my bed.
Out and about... need to beg for your patience, but will be back tomorrow morning ๐
Beautiful photos which are very good representative for great time the whole group had there. I understand the sentence - falling in love in Serbia. My love too. :) I like the creativity of your wife. The combination of her and your painting is great.
Glad you understand what I mean... will last for sure ๐
Wow, so wonderful experience!!! I know there are similar events here in Italy, I think they are really interesting to do it!! PS: your artwork is fantastic!
You have it too? I have to admit, I had never heard of it before. Would be interesting to go to one in Italy!
Oh wow that painting is life sized! XD Good thing that invitation came from a reputable source and you ended up going and having a great time! If it's any consolation I think most people would have done exactly the same thing, those scammers and spammers ruin everything for everyone XD
Glad you had a good time :D
what a lovely team ,and i enjoyed watching pictures ,
Thank you! Yes, great team for sure:-)
Thank you for sharing what looks like a wonderful experience! Lovely!
So impressive! How i wish i can mengle and meet talented people likes this. Thanks for inspirations sir!
You have a cool team!
Yes, it was a very special group :-)
I need more laid back artists in my life. The artistic events I go to always seem to stressed. How long until we can all by cyborgs and just hang out in virtual space in an alien landscape we can create together?