Mini Watercolour Festival in Gdańsk 2019
International Watercolor Society Poland (IWS Poland) invited me to take part in the first international mini festival of watercolor art, dedicated to the award ceremony of the Step By Step competition. The competition started on November 1, 2018, and will ended at the awards ceremony on August 15, 2019. The festival was held in Gdansk (Poland) from August 15 to August 18, 2019. The festival included master classes, demonstrations of skill from Polish and foreign watercolor artists and masters from around the world, presentations, an excursion and cultural program. The painting with my step by step instruction is titled Blue poppies. it is painted on Saunders Waterford 450g/m2 38x56 cm. I would like to thank Alice Botrill, great painter from Canada and Eweina Szcepańska from Poland; for taking photos of my painting on the exhibition that I couldn't attend in person because I was on my way to the airport to Zurich, to attend another festival.
A thousand-year history, a location at the crossroads of important commercial and communication routes, an extensive port and mercantile traditions - all this makes Gdańsk a meeting place of many cultures, nationalities and denominations. As the dynamic capital of the Pomorskie province, Gdańsk offers an enticing contrast of rich history and attractive modernity. Packed with cultural and leisure options, and together with Gdynia and Sopot, forming what’s known as the TriCity, this vibrant port city stands proudly beside the Baltic Sea, offering something for everyone and a fair few surprises as well. Standing guard like a proud, protective parent, there is the majestic tower of the Main Town Hall, which never fails to captivate all who see it, as does the nearby Neptune Fountain, Golden House and Artus Court. Standing directly behind Neptune Fountain, with its stellar and palm vaulting, many paintings and statues, Artus Court has held an important role in the city’s history: it was actually where the first Gdańsk beer was ever served, masquerade balls were held, various fraternities had their headquarters, court trials took place and even monarchs were received.
Anyone arriving in Gdańsk inevitably gravitates towards the Main Town, the city’s most historical, most popular and most important destination for locals and tourists alike. Here is where multilingual crowds of all ages take in the views across the extremely popular River Motława, as tourist boats sail past. The riverside is also dotted with tenements, including a restored Granary Island. Here you’ll find perhaps the most iconic building in the city: The Crane – the largest port crane in the whole of Europe during the Middle Ages and today part of an interesting museum.
There was also exhibition of small format painting where I presented The One watercolor made on Hahnemuhle Cezanne 32 x 24 cm. What is more I had the possibility to do plein air painting in the city center. Unfortunately I couldn't stay longer in Gdansk because I had to rush to the airport because I had to participitae another festival -This time in Zurich. I had little time to get there but fortunately I managed and arrives safe and sound and what is the most important just on time to attend IWS Thai and Switherland Watercolour Festival in Zurich.
