Trade winds are blowing hard this morning. If I were a sailor, I would be busting a gut to be out in it, but as I am here to paint the scenery rather than sail through it, I could do with a gentler wind. We are four women staying in a beautiful villa on Willoughby Bay, Antigua. All are here from various points in North America to learn more about our art. Tessa Baker Nelson has been painting for many years, and along with sharing her techniques and talent, she is hilariously good company. Our days are filled with laughter and camaraderie, even though we were strangers when we arrived, all thanks to Tessa’s warm and joyful spirit.
Our days are also filled with most delicious lunches and dinners, cooked by a Danish chef named Anna. Last night we had eggplant parmigiana, mushroom risotto, and a crispy fresh salad, which doesn’t begin to describe how beautifully it was herbed and cooked. And it is all presented as if we were preparing for a photo shoot!!
This morning we will visit a resident artist who also has a gallery, and a very lush and beautiful garden, and we will paint some of her beautiful plants and flowers. I will post pictures of the garden, and possibly the result of our work, later on today.