A small rock in the Atlantic

Friday, 28 January 2011

Almond blossom

Almond blossom in Garafía, La Palma

The north-west of the island is home to great many almond trees, and at this time of the year, they're all blossoming.

The trees in El Paso and Garafía are beautiful, but the best display of all is at Puntagorda. In fact Puntagorda hosts an annual almond blossom fiesta. The date varies -- the Town Hall sets it a couple of weeks in advance, to (hopefully) coincide with the best blossom. This year we've had a rather cold winter, so it's a little later than usual, on February 6th.

While you're there, you might be able to see some of the art of Peter Hermans, a Dutch artist who's lived in Puntagorda for some time. See "Peter Hermans" His website is at http://www.hef-painting.nl/

Almond blossom in Garafía, La Palma

Labels: art, Peter Hermans, Puntagorda, sculpture

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Monday, 16 March 2009

Peter Hermans

Abstract garden sculpture, by Peter Hermans

Peter Hermans is a Dutch artist and sculptor currently living in Puntagorda. After studying at the Stads Academie Maastricht, in the Netherlands, and then at the Toronto College of Art, in Canada, he sold several of his sculptures to the governments of Holland, Canada, and the USA.

Art by Peter

Wall plaque, by Peter Hermans

Then in 2006, while he was in Italy, disaster struck. Peter had a stroke which left him completely paralysed. The doctors fully expected it to be permanent.

But Peter had a lot of support from his wife and friends, and above all, enormous determination. Amazingly, just two years later, he's working again. Only in short sessions, but working.

Peter and his wife Ita in the studio

His house is full of art: sculptures in bronze, wax, plaster and clay, and brightly-coloured paintings in oils and watercolour. Some of his work is abstract, but most of it celebrates physical love between a man and woman. I love it, but I want you to be able to show this blog to your granny.

You can contact Peter by phone at:  922-493131. His website, at http://www.hef-painting.nl/ , is only in Dutch so far, but they plan to add English.