Viva Catalonia

I went to Barcelona for one reason: to see my son Noah, who is studying there.  Of course I was excited to be with him, to step into his world for a few days—but I wasn’t expecting to fall so completely for Catalonia itself.

It started with the light and the architecture—standing inside Sagrada Família, where color moves across the walls in a way that feels almost alive. We saw Casa Batlló, taking in the curves, the mosaics, the ironwork—details that feel both intricate and completely fluid. Antoni Gaudí who said that “there are no straight lines or sharp corners in nature” has a way of softening structure, making everything feel a little more organic, a little more in motion.

Outside, it was the streets that held me. Cobblestones worn uneven over time. Walls layered with paint, patched brick, moss. I found myself noticing everything—the curve of ironwork, the repetition of tiles, the way the light hits the rooftops at sunset. 

We made our way beyond the city to Girona—a picturesque town I later learned was a filming location for “Game of Thrones”. It carries a deep sense of history, especially in its once-thriving Jewish quarter. We also visited Pals and Peratallada—quiet, beautiful places where everything seems to slow down and the palette softens into stone and sun.

And then, of course, the food. Simple and deeply flavorful— especially memorable were the anchovies, smoked paprika, bread, olive oil and artichokes.  

Above are a few photos of all of it—of Pablo Picasso’s work, of Gaudí’s buildings, of streets and details I couldn’t stop capturing. As I found myself walking—looking, noticing, wondering—I was already thinking about how these textures, shapes, and rhythms might find their way into my work. Stay tuned for that!