What’s a Gallinero? And why would you want to stay there?
Chicago printmaker, Cathy Naro, who was here last year around this time, has returned for another workshop with Maureen. This time they’re working on combining some of the solar-plate prints Cathy made last time with liquid-metal techniques. Accompanied by her husband, Mike, this time Cathy again showed her remarkable capacity for hitting on fascinating cultural events in Granada. This weekend they coincided with an art exhibition put on by a group of young Granada artists at the municipal theater in Alhendín, a nearby town, and the show included a smashing performance of flamenco song, guitar and dance. Let’s give credit: the group is called Los Niños de la Vereda de Enmedio de Sacromonte. But their performance far surpassed the usual bog-standard Sacromonte flamenco tablao for the tourist trade.
The following album of photographs (click to enlarge) includes shots of Maureen and Cathy in the studio, Cathy’s work, a couple of Mike getting to know Granada, some of the flamenco performance, M,M & C in a tapas bar (just one of a few…), and some schmoozing and posing with the artists in the dressing room after the show. Please forgive repetitions. This WordPress photo-album app has a mind of its own.
Printmaking Courses in Spain 
To any painters and writers, as well as print-makers – if you are considering a creative holiday at Maureen and Mike’s, DON’T HESITATE! After a 2 week stay last summer, I brought my husband back with me this April, and he couldn’t believe I didn’t rave about the experience more (actually I did, but seeing is believing!) Both Maureen’s light filled studio and the workspace in El Gallinero are perfect for inspiration and production. Maureen is an inventive, creative, supportive teacher and, in short, is my favorite art collaborator (I miss you already!) Yet it’s not all about the work, there are buses to transport one to Granada or the mountains, there’s the full moon over the uninhabited mountain view from the terrace, and there’s a sleepy little village a 5 minute walk away. A favorite last memory is a long (4 hour!) lunch in the sun there by the river… Come for a stay with your projects, your music, and your ideas and you will be glad you did. Best, Cathy and Mike Naro, Chicago, IL