Painting in Lanzarote: (Feb - March 2001)

Drawing El Golfo (Lanzarote) in sketch book with graphite - photo taken by Erika (my wife).

It was our second wedding anniversary and Erika's 26th birthday...

I had made arrangements months in advance so that we could celebrate our love in Lanzarote.

Our hotel was amazing, the food was incredible, and the walks on the beach were lovely.

The island of Lanzarote is very windy. The sky was infinitely blue. The landscape tickled my senses. And I had brought a small supply of art materials with me... just for fun.

El Golfo. Oil on linen. 36 x 52 inches. Feb - March 2001. Price:£1600

The most incredible EL Golfo is a crater half devoured by the sea, a crescent shape towering over the black beach and the green lagoon. Whose waters enters underground from the sea. While being on the island did some drawings... with pencil. watercolor, egg tempera, and gouache.

When I returned to London I started documenting El Golfo on linen. And a smaller work on canvas. The Lagoon had a spirit to it. There was no mistake that we were standing before one of natures precious wonders.

Photo of Erika in volcanic cave next to ocean.

If you ever go to visit this place... I strongly recommend that you walk directly belowthe north look out point (side closer to the small village) and try to make your way to El Golfo by walking along the beach. It is not easy, and the rocks are slippery as you try to climb over them. The caves, waves craved out the rock face. Henry Moore would have felt divine and perfect balance with the universe if he had walked there.

To mention another great artists... 'the island in its present form is unthinkable without Cesar Manrique. His influence and work have left their mark on the island's face. The Lanzarotenos credit him with 'having made Lanzarote'. Manrique was a painter, sculptor, architect, (without having studied), ecologist, curator of monuments, town planner, garden and landscape architect; Cesar Manrique was the most outstanding artistic personality on Lanzarote, in fact on the whole archipelago.' (Travel Guide Lanzarote).

Castillo de San Jose is a fortress that was built between 1776-1779. In 1968 Cesar Manrique suggested renovating the Castillo and fitting it out as a museum for contemporary art. When you walk into this Castillo you can be sure that a great man really put his heart and soul into the renovation and design of this museum.

Lanzarote. Oil on canvas. 16 x 22 inches. March 2001. Price: £485

Lanzarote was formed by volcanic eruptions. The very earth is turned inside out, more than a third of the island is covered by black lava and grey tuff, clinker and volcanic sand. Steams of lava, hardened over the years, but still seemingly fluid in appearance, thread their way through the barren earth.

Lanzarote. Oil on canvas. 16 x 22 inches. March 2001. Price: £485

Lanzarote. Oil on canvas. 16 x 22 inches. March 2001. Price: £485

Waterfall in the Mountains. oil on linen. 14 x 28 inches. 2000. Price: £425.

This painting was not related to the Lanzarote trip, but I felt it related to the above paintings due to itself abstract landscape nature.