‘THE PAINTER’S HOUSE’

Island of Hydra, Greece.

I waited for my home delivery in the early spring sun sipping coffee and tsiporo on the side (moonshine). Nothing like warming the inside on a crisp morning. The bay glistened and sparkled, a few sailboats came and went. The water taxi sped in, dropped someone at the pier and sped off. Then they trotted in, Vasilis on Dimitra; a donkey-load of supplies, water and food. Ella! he shouted. I’m coming I called out but the wind carried my voice to sea. I tucked myself deeper into my coat and rushed against the wind to meet them.

Vasilis tied Dimitra and she stood patiently while we unpacked. He carried the supplies up to the house, 45 steps through spilling bougainvillia, fig and olive trees to the back door. Thank you, I said in Greek. Parakalo he replied and I watched him go down, jump and swing sideways into Dimitra’s saddle like an athlete making soft soothing sounds to the donkey. They disappeared around the corner and I thought, no one would believe this; donkey delivery in the twenty first century. And, this is my life right now, a painter’s life on an enchanting island.

The summer drifted by; dawn swims, long, content working hours, sunset swims. Observing, responding. Painting. Exhibiting.

Traditional and white washed, ‘The Painter’s House’ is built into a hillside overlooking a breathtaking bay and pebbly beach. Fishing boats are tucked behind a quaint taverna on the seaside in a sleepy corner on the island of Hydra.

‘The Painter’s House’ is offering painting workshops plus accommodation to members of the AWI for next year, 2012. Come away, come live a sweet little dream painting on the illustrious island of artists, Hydra. For further details, contact desiprinsloo@yahoo.com