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November 2021

-  Fado de Coimbra -

Sometimes I am asked why I always paint what is real and why I always paint with watercolours. The answer is quite simple: I like the challenge that each motif poses to me. Especially when I let myself get involved in a race against time.

A painting created many years ago at night on a small balcony of the Santa Cruz guesthouse in Coimbra is a good example of this. A singer and two guitarists positioned themselves on the steps of the convent church opposite, dressed in their typical Fado de Coimbra clothes. In the spotlight and in front of a running camera, they performed without any spectators at all – and I spontaneously decided to capture this scene. While my son Bruno and our friend Celine continued to follow what was happening on the church steps, I had already fetched the painting materials from the hotel room in no time at all and got my paint box, paper, water and brushes ready. I was already standing between the two of them on the balustrade, the watercolour box and tray on my left forearm, the small watercolour block clamped to the box with two fingers and painting – quickly and concentrated. I set lines and areas, heard the powerful voice and the bright melodies of the Portuguese guitar, felt the Portuguese soul and experienced this enchanting moment while painting, as it was palpable and finally faded away. The excited tension of the trio was released, movement came into the group. The spotlights went out, the cameras and instruments were packed away and a few minutes later the square in front of us was again as quiet and deserted as before.

Celine and Bruno liked my painting, which was reduced to a few strokes. I was also satisfied, because I had given my best. I call pictures that come into being without hesitation and procrastination 'purist'. Not only because of the way I paint, but also because in those few minutes when time flies, I am so completely with myself.

> order magnetic bookmark motif  'Fado de Coimbra'

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