Category Archives: friends

a sherry fan for a sherry fan

30 Wednesday Jun 2021

Posted by in art, friends, sevilla

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sherry-fan-1

So, remember Tania? My neighbour and  – as it turns out – very artistic friend. Well awhile back she said she wanted to make me a hand painted tile and asked which image I would like. Of course the first thing that occurred to me were the sherry symbols (because if I ever get a tatoo THAT is what it will be) so I mentioned an abanico that was given to me at the last Vinoble in Jerez and sent her a photo. And I mean, just look what she did!

sherry-fan-3

I love the cobalt blue, the addition of the carnations, and all the beautiful detailing. Thanks Tania!

tania

23 Wednesday Jun 2021

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tania

I met Tania on Instagram last year and, after chatting a bit, it turned out that we are neighbours. So one day we got together for lunch and… that was six months ago! It’s weird because we chat all the time on WhatsApp but, although she literally lives just around the corner, we haven’t managed to meet up again. In part due to Covid crap, but she has also been away, blah blah. But finally we made a date for lunch and this is how we found ourselves today having cava penúltimas until 7.30 pm at one of our locals. Good times.

a dangerous woman

08 Tuesday Jun 2021

Posted by in friends, sevilla, tapas, tapas bars

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dangerous woman

You wouldn’t know it to look at this innocent smiling face but make no mistake, this woman is pure danger. Or else it’s me who’s dangerous? WHATEVER… it turns out that whenever Reyes Morales and I get together we have, well, a lot of fun. Which usually means we not only end up having a lot of wine, but also lots of laughs, while sharing food and stories and just enjoying our “girl time”. This time we were trying out a new seafood tapas bar next to the Plaza Alfalfa, and I honestly couldn’t ask for a better Tapas Research partner, especially because she owns her own tapas bar and knows what’s what. But mostly it’s just so much fun being with her and I always leave Reyes’ company feeling happy and energised. And it occurs to me – and not for the first time – that this is how one should always feel after spending time with a friend.

the amazing alexandra del bene

17 Monday May 2021

Posted by in art, friends, sevilla, spain

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alex mural project

I was so excited when Alex pinged me with a link to this video about her latest project. I had no idea that she was doing this and it’s absolutely amazing. She will be creating 15 gigantic murals themed around the 500th anniversary of the first round the world voyage, the Magellan-El Cano circumnavigation (1519 – 1522). See those buildings up there? Those will be her canvases. Located in Calle Tarfia, facing the river it is expected to set a Guinness world record.

Below you can see virtual depictions of how they will look when finished. Impressive, right?

I first met Alexandra by chance ten years ago when she was starting out here working as a “graffiti artist for hire” painting shop and bar shutters so that they wouldn’t get vandalised by taggers. One day I saw her painting a bar shutter while out for a walk on a Sunday afternoon and stopped to chat and we’ve been friends ever since. She once even joined one of my tapas tours in progress while “on the job” painting the shutters at Bodeguita Romero.

And while Alexandra still does the occasional shutter art, she is now also an award-winning artist recognised both here and abroad. An amazing accomplishment for someone who arrived here from Rome in 2010 with a young daughter to start a new life. I am quite in awe of not only her talent but also her energy and spirit. You can check out her website here…

Alexandra del Bene

alex murals

alex virtual murals Also posted on Azahar Sevilla