Mediterranean

Mare Nostrum. Resorts. Luxury yachts. Portofino. Palma de Mallorca. Holidays in Antalya. Club Med. Djerba beaches. Monte Carlo Marina. Sea view in Taormina. Valley of the Temples of Agrigento. Private islands in the Cyclades. Vineyards and olive groves of Sicily. Saint-Tropez. All-inclusive cruises. Riviera. Other Rivieras. Sunset at the Temple of Sounion. Formentera. Capri. Costa del Sol.

The Migrant Mother crosses Africa, fleeing hunger, war, and epidemics. She crosses the desert on foot, walks with her child on scorching sands, endures hunger, thirst, and cold. They steal the little she brings. The Migrant Mother is deceived, exploited, raped, beaten. She is enslaved. She becomes pregnant. They imprison her. She is humiliated, insulted, despised. The Migrant Mother finally arrives at the Mediterranean.

Mediterranean. Phoenician trade, Greek expansion, Roman rule. Mare Nostrum. Every year 1500 migrants drown – like on the Titanic, but with less glamour. Human trafficking. Corrupt authorities. Sun and warm waters. Dream vacations. Buoys and life jackets adrift. Sunset parties. Reserved beaches. Rubber boats. Frontex patrols. All-night parties in Ibiza. Millionaires in Sardinia. Corpses washing ashore in Lampedusa.

Mediterranean, splendid cemetery.

Olil on plywood, April 2026

Saturday

Last Saturday, another drawing session with live model in Cascais, Portugal. This time in the House of Stories, a museum and arts center dedicated to the works of artist Paula Rego. A very inspiring venue with suitable space and lighting

After the sessions, the participants lay their drawings on the floor. Comparing and discussing some of the results is an interesting parto of the session .

And later on, a gin-tonic by the bay. 

Analog Photo Festival

My submitted six photos were accepted for the exhibition currently taking place. The subject was “Freedom”. Here they are

Two groups of friends, with a peaceful river or a flying bicycle

A boy trying to run from his family – and to escape from the limits of the photo

An open space to breathe – or simply to contemplate

And the “Shtandart” a modern replica of an ancient Russian vessel. I was told that she is forbidden to return to St Petersburg, from where she left years ago. She is sailing around the world, teaching nautical and sailing crafts to young people. Forced freedom, to some extent, not being allowed to return home…