CITY OF AMARANTE – Portugal – (# 200)

I just wrapped up a new pastel piece called “CITY OF AMARANTE (Portugal) – (#200).” It’s a little scene, only 12 by 9  inches, but packed with a whole riverside town’s worth of color and calm. There’s a gentle river right down the middle, mirroring all the warm yellows, reds, and leafy greens that dance along its banks. I had a lot of fun bringing in that sturdy stone bridge and the church with its towers peeking through the sky—it felt like building a quiet little world where nature and town life meet for a peaceful chat. The reflections in the water really kept me on my toes, playing with colors and light like a secret game. It’s a cozy moment of stillness, but with all the energy you get from watching water gently flow and catch the world around it.