olha pryymak

Separately about Catalan food: with omelettes served every hour of the day, instituted two breakfasts and very-very  late dinners offering tapas of beans, potatoes and seafood, pan con tomato, manchego cheeses.  For drinks it was the  local bubbly Cava or Rjoha and sometimes sangria , as well as local beer Moritz – all yum!  Had a great time packing myself with  salads like nicoise, great cheese plates, and bocadillos ( with honey and brie and walnuts, brie and tomato with olive oil and lettuce..)  Best food experience we had was at  Cava Fumada in Barcelonetta.  Fine dining experiences were not as memorable, on average the food seemed a bit too greasy with all the pork sausages and all… Maison Jesus and a small place in Gerona (that I don’t remember the name of) were very good.  Almost every single chiringito on the Barcelonetta beach served great shade, view of the sea, drinks and snacks.  It was pleasant to find out the city full of ancient established farmers’ markets where the locals usually stock up for the week.

Katherine Tyrrel at Making the Mark pointed out at the show of entymology illustrators exhibit at Getty.

Just got back from a week long vacation in Barcelona. So much to share: some great architecture, interesting quirky art and local designers.

Check out menchen Tomas (women’s) on c/ rec. 46 and Oscar H. Grand (men’s) on c/barra de ferro 7 for bespoke tailoring. Oscar does his work straight from the shop floor to the coolest music on his ipod. Next door Popi Jabiansky exposes his Pietro della Francesca inspired art at a local internet cafe. (I loved it because I did a similar take on my rents’ portrait several years ago).

Besides there were great local food (pan con tomato and potato/beans/etc. tapas) drinks (rjoha and cava – the catalan bubbly) as well as the Spanish Gothic and Gaudi architecture. My friend Wendy will write a more extended review of this trip on her travel blog and I will link here here soon to give you more detail.

Celebrated modern painter Peter Doig shows at Muse d’Arte Moderne now.

Last night at the Empire gallery I saw Kate Marshall’s some very raunchy drawings. Wilkinson gallery next door showed Marcin Maciejowski – loved his the b&w stuff.

Recently have been very into French food these days, it must be thinking of you guys having the best weekend in Loir.
Check out this fantastic food painter David Stevenson.

On the way to the West End we always have to pass by the City that seems to be constantly built up. But besides going over to the West (recent find there – the Wallace Collection), our weekends comprise here of market going, coffee drinking, eating, eating and eating. There are four amazing markets within walking distance from our house – the Spitafields, Brick Lane (some food stalls there are still very good), Broadway market and the Borough. Every Sunday it became a tradition to take a coffee at Coffee@ on Brick Lane and buy some flowers on Columbia road market.

Currently working on a biggish painting of a flower market in the Ploscha Peremogy underpass. No progress to show off just yet.

Meanwhile check out Kerim Ragimov’s picture of bears and suvs from his Road off show. It is coming to London in July 19th at Museum 52.

Heron tower, City

Hoxston square, Shoreditch

V&A museum, all Copic marker and ink pen in Moleskine notebook

Ink pen and Copic marker in Moleskine notebook, 13×20 cm, 2008

Yesterday got a chance to go over to the West End to see the Victoria and Albert Museum. The English Sculpture gallery is stunning there, with it’s bay windows facing the course yard and clever spot lights. I jotted these two ladies down from life, as well as the youths.

26.05.08 – forgot to mention there is an interesting special exhibit aout artist’s book going on there called Blood on Paper.

Today went to the Wallace collection off Oxford street. Loved his Frans Hals portrait of a Cavalier: so jolly and healthy (check out the original ).

After so much travel, for the first time in many years, I woke up trying to remember where I am. Good to be finally home, even if it’s a brand new one… This guitar and amp sitting in our living room formed a great picture in a morning sunlight today.

Another fantastic artist represented by George Billis in Chelsea, New York is Chris Wright. Love his minimalist daily-painting-like small images of random stuff.

Dupont circle fountain, The World Bank building in DC, ink pen and Copic marker on paper

Two of my most visited landmarks during this visit in DC. Seeing my former colleagues at the World Bank was a total blast – I could not have enough of the local coffee hangouts and felt very-very happy to be back there again.

Drew these with my new tools, from life while in DC.

Atrium at the National Gallery

Angel fountain at the atrium at the NGA

Done with Copic marker, ink pen on paper.