Hi everyone,
I hope you are enjoying some great spring and early summer weather, maybe doing some BBQ or just getting outdoors and feeling the warm sun on your face. There's just something about the warm sun that feeds the soul in a soothing way.
Last month I mentioned that Leila and I are planning a big trip, starting in mid July, traveling to Brazil for three months, then on to Arizona for one month, before returning to Porto in mid November.
Why trade the beautiful Portuguese summer for what is effectively winter in Brazil. As far as travel timing you might think that makes as much sense as penguins in a hot tub. (Oh wait, give them cigars and a deck of cards and you might have a best selling painting! :)
Okay forget the penguins, back to the reason for our trip.
Leila works for the Government of Brazil (she's a type of civil servant in the judicial system) and as such she has excellent health care in Brazil. She needs some care (don't worry, nothing life threatening) and feels that it's worth it to go to Brazil for this reason. Hence our travel plans.
Here in Portugal, the public system is pretty good once you are seen, but it can take months to be seen by any type of specialist, even for the Portuguese.
I have private insurance here though I've never used it, so I can't really comment on the private system. Some of my expat friends have said it's quite good. I have only used the public system for small things like a nasty cold, and it was fine. But in Leila's case, waiting for months to be seen is not an option, so off we go to Brazil...in winter.
It's actually not so bad. The winters there are not like Michigan where I grew up. No frozen cars requiring the skills of an ice sculptor to open the doors, or ice skating skills just to reach the car without risking hip replacement, lol.
In Belo Horizonte where we will be (a city of 3 million people) it's quite mild by comparison, 55 - 80ish during July-Sept. I'm looking forward to experiencing this new land and culture, though I will miss summer in Porto.
We have just about a month before we leave, so I've been busy making plans...what to fly with, and what to buy there in terms of art supplies. Also what paintings on my vast list of experiments should I attempt to compete before I go?
I decided one thing I wanted to finish right now is this little series of Grand Canyon river scenes. Below are three, 12"x 18" new pieces. These are fresh off the easel, and I'm about to varnish them, so they will be ready for shipping by the end of the week.
Here's a link to a 2 minute time lapse video about the making of
'Emerald Flow' on my Youtube channel. Sound on if you wish to hear my golden voice :)
These all bring back memories of my rafting trips and remind me of what a truly special place the Colorado River is as it winds it way through the fabulous Grand Canyon.
Have a look and please let me know if anything here speaks to you.
cody@codydelong.com
All are priced at $800 unframed, and shipping to the USA is included!
Next month I'll have something completely different to show you...
Stay tuned!
