Solitude

Artist-quality acrylic paint stretched 100% cotton canvas.

1.5” / 3.8cm depth.

Sides finished with burnt sienna underpainting.

Varnished for protection.

Hand-signed by the artist, and includes a certificate of authenticity.

If you drive for about an hour or so, a little north-west of Lisbon, Portugal, you will find yourself in a place called Quinta da Regaleira; a historic estate built in the late 1800’s. There is truly no place that can compare to the breathtaking wonders of this place - it is like being in a dream or a fairy tale. The green of the native flora surrounds an array of gothic and renaissance architecture, sculptures, lakes, grottos, and caves. Walking through every twist and turn one falls upon another secret.

When I came here, I was only a couple of days into my first experience of travelling abroad alone. I had been afraid of what that would mean for me. But when I arrived in this place, I realised I had been holding my breathe for nothing. The child-like wonder that I felt here allowed me to let all the air out, and just revel in the pure beauty of the earth and the history that surrounded me. In the grotto pictured, I could finally lay my anxiety down, and just listen to the water trickling down mossy walls, and watch motes of light dance around the peaceful, sculpted woman. Here, I realised that not only was being alone not a bad thing, but it was exactly what I had needed for a long time.

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