Painting Lions

So today I stood out on one of those round abouts at the end of the Rambla. It wasn't nearly as crowded as yesterday's. Mostly young students came by and gawked. They would say something like, "Very Cool." And when I was packing up I got a comment, "Are you finished?" I assume he didn't think so. I was losing light and needed to pack it up. I am not painting these pieces for a gallery or museum. I'm painting for food, lodging and such. So I think it's pretty much done. I've never stood outside in public and just started painting what I see. I'm making lot's of mistakes but they are fun mistakes. So I'm averaging about 1-2 hours per painting. Next week once my sleep pattern syncs up. My goal is to paint 3 paintings a day 5 days a week. So for 3 months of work. I should net a creation of approx. 180 paintings. More paintings than my total life's worth of painting. So is this trip worth it... fucking A! And I've been drawing a lot as well. I think I should get an apartment here to save money... but not sure if I want to move along the coast. There's just so much to paint here. And the people are great.

What is in a name? Depends on the name.

An old man sat down behind me early in the morning when I first setup my canvas. He watched me all day. When I was packing up around 4pm. I asked him in English, "So what do you think?" His English was broken. He replied, "You are a genius." Well that's quite a compliment. I told him my name and asked his. He replied, "Raphael Dali". I nearly blacked out when I heard Dali... I had trouble remembering his first name... until a dear friend whom I called immediately after reminded me. I asked if he was related to Salvador. He grinned and said, "Oh you speak of my blood. I knew Salvador very well." He mentioned something of being a great grandson... which at first I was eager to think it was Salvador's great grandson... but since Dali had no kids... I assume he said he was one of Salvador's close kin's great grandson." I need to take a freakin Spanish class obviously. I checked his ID... and asked if I could photo it for proof. He gave me a look like..." You actually think I'm gonna let you photo my ID?"... and said "no." He was indeed a Dali... the first day here and a Dali(regardless of whose great grandson he was) watched me paint and said I was good. Holy shit! That is fucking cool. I'm still grinning every time I think about it. Like right now.

A painting trade for food.

My first painting of the day. A guy kept passing by. When I was finished he told me it was beautiful. I told him I would let him have it for a Double Whopper meal. His eyes grew. He thought I was joking at first. Finally when he realized I was serious. He belted down the street in search of a Burger King. While he was gone his brother-in-law talked with me. He is an artist as well. He is part of a group in Southern Spain. He said I should go there and he would introduce me to all of the artists. I might. Check out his website, "www.PaintingTherapy.com"

First Day Painting on the streets

My first day of painting. I set up my canvas on the Rambla the busiest street in all of Barcelona. I made a sign in English that said. Art for Food, Housing, or Transportation to Greece in English. I need the same thing in Spanish. Maybe tomorrow? Anyhow I created quite a spectacle. At one point there must have been 30 people standing there watching me paint. I do feel very alive. Not sure if I will be able to swing the free housing... yet. But I'll keep trying. A Spanish sign would probably help.

Drunk in Spain!

A night out of drinking. Would you believe I know everyone in the place now? No more cover charge for Loveless! Who would have thunk it? I'm sure the Mars Bar is breathing a sigh of relief. Now another country has to put up with my bullshit. By the end of the night all of my drinks were free. Everyone that came in was introduced to me... people would say "This is Senior Loveless." Then I'd hear some Spanish spoken with the words "Sin Amor" thrown in. Then there was a big laugh. Apparently a man with no love is quite assuming and worth a free drink. There is one club where there were no free drinks and speaking to the ladies required a credit check. I still no longer have to pay cover here. My friend Raluca works here. She is such a beautiful soul. I paid for her to keep her clothes on and tell me about her life. Damn I'm blessed. She listened to my iPod after the "non-dance" dance. Her favorite song is "It's a wonderful world". Ironic after hearing her life story. When leaving a homeless guy tried to sell me his bike for 10 euros. Instead of buying it I paid 10 euros for a ride. He is now forever my friend. This is me on my 10 euro bike ride. I had trouble riding a straght in a line. Damn I look like shit in this photo... not to mention drunk and crazy! Oh well... that is Senior Loveless!

Raluca. The Romanian Beauty.

She is quite beautiful. I need to draw a picture of her classic face. She hates her nose which I think is her most stunning feature. We're supposed to have dinner together on Friday. I told her my story and plan... she thinks I'm crazy. She told me her story and out of respect I won't write it here. All I can say is be thankful if you are an American. I'll upload a picture if she actually makes it to dinner with me.

Will you marry me? Huh?

Welcome to Barcelona! Apparently no one has blonde hair here. I'm like some kind of freak. I'm assuming it's a good thing. I've had several women ranging from young and beautiful to very old and ugly ask me to marry them. I guess they are tired of looking at tall dark and handsome men?