Sao Luis is not that tiny….larger than Vashon town, and the “Square” I did this painting in is more of a triangular park. But it is tiny in the sense that there is very little tourism here. When you go into the local cafe, the locals eye you, and that is oddly refreshing. It would be like taking a vacation in the middle of Iowa (more beautiful here, but you get the idea). It is largely a practical place that serves the local population. It hasn’t been sucked into the vaccuum of globalization yet.

I am aware that artists often pave the way for gentrification. This happens over and over again. We see this happening on Vashon. The new Art Center (not so new now) was a big symbol of that on the island. The transition where art starts becoming a thing for those who can afford it.

The Arts are probably more of a symptom than a cause of gentrification, but they do create an appeal. Cultural tourism. Novelty. The idea that the location is worthy of such attention, and that creativity arrises from it.

So it is with some trepidation that I set up my easel in a tiny town not used to tourism. Am I the first sign of rising housing prices? Of locals being pushed out as the standard of living increases, as country living becomes more appealing to the urbane. Am I a canary in this quaint coal mine?

I hope not. I am less able to converse here than in Spain, but it is still clear that the locals are pleased by what I am doing. Painting a scene they have walked past hundreds of times. Allowing them to see it anew. I am just trying to capture one tenth of what is already there. And it is that attempt that they admire. Appreciating that someone is appreciating.

I feel like I am bringing more than I am taking to the situation. Who knows. Please don’t come here. Go to another unknown place, and appreciate it’s unknowness. Beauty is everywhere.

THE PROCESS

I was attracted to the local colors of the scene: The fountain, the statue, the buildings; which all seem to have similar color standards (blue, gold and peach….an occasional green. All on buildings that are mostly white). The color choices intentionally contrast one house to another. It is not a “Leavenworth” thing, where they are trying to Disneyfy the traditional. It is just traditional. Maybe it is boring to them. We all get world weary eyes. That’s why I like to travel; to see things fresh.

I have no idea what the significance of the statue is. It is a female fetching water. An idyllic pastoral image that would seem to glorify the the traditional role of women in society. (She’s no Rosie the Riveter.) It is hard not to see this image in the light of the overturning of Roe V. Wade in the States, that happened the day before this image was started.

It has been so nice to not check into news and social media much. I get tried of being angry all the time. Literally fatigued by my and everyone else’s anger. It seems like such a waste of life. A consuming manipulative virus. But, that said, there is no denying that this is one of the biggest rulings by the Supreme Court maybe since Roe V. Wade was first put into law. This is not a politcal blog, but we are one world, and in this out of the way town in Portugal, that is in some ways Pre-Roe V. Wade in terms of the historical time line, I feel sad, and think it is a huge step backwards. It will always be a woman’s right to choose no matter what the law says. It’s just the way it is. Such is the awesome power of woman.

A TINY SQUARE IN A TINY TOWN