I have just returned from a brief residency North of Granada. I was in the mountains of the Sierra María Los Vélez National Park at Joya arte + ecología. The landscape there is stunning. The whole experience was both restful and full of inspiration. I have become enthralled by almond trees, charmed by their heady scent and the smell of wild rosemary mixed.

Almond tree @ Joya
Increasingly I have grown fascinated by soil. It is integral to my work. My residency here reinforced that. The deeply furrowed plough lines over the almond terraces characterised my week long experience. I am presently working in the studio on these.

almond grove, with early blossom
Many thanks to Donna and Simon for their warm welcome, good company and their infectious passion for this place.
https://joya-air.org/artist/2020/3/2/joya-air-lilian-cooper-ned-gbr