My experiences of living as a seasoned immigrant in Cordova (Andalusia): humour, culture, history, illustrated. Also includes poetry, quotes, thoughts, and nature.
Today, my blog is to show and promote some of the things I’ve been painting. They (and other items) are all for sale and available at my online Etsy shop in the following link: https://www.etsy.com/es/shop/GillysWork
Below are some of the items. They include:
oil painting on terracotta plates made from our local village here in Andalucía; (some on a gold and silver leaf background and crackle-varnished)
oil paintings of the Cathedral / Great Mosque of Cordova (painted on solid pine wood)
oil painting on solid wood with gold and silver leaf background of an orange tree (we have many here is sunny Andalucía!)
oil painiting of the local olives trees, on antique wood with gold leaf surround, using an aging technique
oil painting to resemble jewels on antique dresser door from Cordova
oil painting of St Joseph on solid wood with silver leaf background
fairies made from wooden pegs, material, lace and beads
material appliqué of Our Lady, using recycled fabrics, lace embroidery and beads.
All the above on my Etsy shop or by contacting me here on my blog. (They make nice Christmas presents too!)
Here in Cordoba (Spain) we are experiencing heavy winds, storms and rain. My country track is being steadily carved up by serious rivulets that are growing at a fast rate and becoming more like ravines. Even in my 4×4 it’s still quite hairy to pass!
But since this photo was taken, there are many more rivers meandering over the surface, as well as waterfalls eating away the sides of the earthy track.
To contrast, below is a beautiful painting by Edmund Leighton! He was an English painter associated with the Pre-Raphaelite Movement of the mid-to-late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Some of his other works include Lady Godiva, God Speed!, Tristan and Isolde, The Accolade, To the Land Unknown, The Charity of Elisabeth of Hungary… (See here to view more of his works.)
I have ‘borrowed’ this painting from Christian Art site, which is linked directly with the Catholic Universalis page, and can be found at the bottom of the ‘Readings for the Day‘ section. The Art site is written by Fr Patrick van der Vorst (a former art dealer for Christies who, at the ripe age of 50, became a priest.) He always uses a piece of art to illustrate and reflect the gospel reading for the day.
The above painting reflects yesterday’s reading, Matthew 21:33-43, 45-46, which tells us about ‘The stone that the builders rejected becoming the cornerstone…’. Fr Patrick describes that «through this teaching, Jesus reminds us that what is initially dismissed or undervalued can often turn out to be of crucial and life-changing importance. This truth applies not only to faith but also to the art world, where many great artists were rejected in their time, only to be recognised later for their cultural significance. Vincent van Gogh, Paul Cézanne, Walt Disney, or J.K. Rowling—all faced rejection before their work became widely celebrated. On a more personal level, many of us have experienced rejection, whether in relationships, careers, or friendships.
«This theme is powerfully depicted in the above painting by Edmund Blair Leighton (1899). The man walking away has had his marriage proposal rejected, his flowers discarded on the bridge. The woman, dressed in a straw hat and floral gown, stands firm in her decision, her expression both pensive and resolute.
«Rejection, at its core, is about being pushed away, whether in a single painful moment or through gradual exclusion over time. It can leave us feeling unwanted, unvalued, or unaccepted. Yet, rejection can also serve as a catalyst for growth. When we share our faith with others and experience dismissal, whether from friends, colleagues, or society, we might initially feel discouraged. However, rather than letting rejection weaken us, it can strengthen our resolve and ignite a deeper passion for God’s Kingdom. We may not be the keystone of the Church, but each of us is a vital brick within its foundation!… Each of us small yet essential in the life and mission of the Church.»
Encouraging words. and food for thought!
And sticking to the religious theme, below is a photo of the poster of Semana Santa — Holy Week — here in Posadas (Córdoba in Spain). The presentation of the poster took place in our local parish church of Posadas, named Santa Maria de lasFlores(Saint Mary of the Flowers.) The author of the poster is Rafael Siles and the theme is the Holy Burial of Christ. The presentation was accompanied by the musical band Nuestro Padre Jesús Nazarene (Our Father, Jesus the Nazarene).
Preparations for Easter Week and the processions are already well under way.
Thank you for visiting. Take care. x
PS: If you’d like to read more about my life here in this neck of the woods, see here;
I just wanted to share with you a few photos of my Mystical Rose hanging that I’ve been working on. I used mainly recycled fabrics and also laces, ribbons, beads, embroidery threads and recycled jewellery. The process is described by the following photos:
Prayer to the Mystical Rose
Mystical Rose, thou art the mother of Jesus Christ and the mother of Divine Grace, Thou art the Mother of Mercy and the Mother of Life. Thou art our kind mother and our hope. Enclose me in Thy Immaculate Heart and hear my prayer. Amen.
Hi folks! I hope this finds you well. We are having terrible storms here in Spain, with 220 dead and many more missing… 🙏
I just wanted to share this article with you re the bill which is being presented in the UK parliament on ASSISTED SUICIDE. The article is written by Fr Patrick van der Vorst, a Catholic priest, author of Christian Art. If you are opposed to this bill, you can say so on this site, independent of the country you live in: they are collecting all this opposition to present to parliament.
The article also includes a link to a very interesting letter written by Cardinal Vincent Nichols of Westminster, expounding the arguments against assisted suicide, and urging people to make their protests heard.
Here is the article:
«A call to action: Make your voice heard AGAINST ASSISTED SUICIDE.
«Reflection on the Parliamentary Bill on Assisted Suicide. (Written by Fr Patrick from Christian Art).
«As we reach the final day of October, it has been a sombre month for those of us living in the UK. On Wednesday, 16 October 2024, a bill was introduced to Parliament proposing a change in the law to permit assisted suicide.
«This ongoing debate raises critical questions about the dignity of human life and the level of care and protection our society extends to every individual, especially to the elderly, disabled and sick.
«As valued members of our online community, we encourage you to make your voices heard in this crucial debate. You can share your thoughts by leaving a comment below today’s post on our website, or by replying directly to the daily email, or by contacting us at info@christian.art.
«Even a brief email stating ‘I oppose the current bill on assisted suicide,’ would make a meaningful impact.
«We will gather all the comments and send them to our local MP here in Westminster. The more responses we collect, the stronger our Christian voice will be in opposing the current proposals.
«We appreciate your support and participation!
«A few weeks ago, Cardinal Vincent Nichols requested that a specially prepared Pastoral Letter on assisted suicide be read in all churches. I am sharing this important letter with you now.
«One line resonated with me deeply: ‘the right to die can become a duty to die’—a statement that holds profound truth.
Estoy compartiendo una foto que tomé el otro día: es del Sagrado Corazón de Jesús. La gigantesca estatua de nuestro Señor se encuentra en Las Ermitas que está situada en lo alto de las colinas de Sierra Morena, en Córdoba (Andalucía).
El nombre de este tramo de montaña sobre el que se levanta el sitio sagrado es el Cerro de la Cárcel, y esta colina, a su vez, forma parte del Desierto de Nuestra Señora de Belén.
El escondite espiritual se encuentra entre los olivos silvestres, encinas y algarrobos que lo rodean; hay otras especies que crecen en estrecha yuxtaposición que se remontan a la época de Abd ar-Rahman I y sus importaciones sirias del siglo VIII: algunas de ellas incluyen el almez, el ligustro, la retama, el azufaifo, el zumaque y la mágica mandrágora chillón (que los árabes llaman ‘la manzana de Satanás’).
Las Ermitas fue fundada en 1703, pero cuando el último monje, Juan Vicente de la Madre de Dios falleció en 1957, el sitio Sagrado fue entregado al cuidado de los frailes Carmelitas Descalzos.
En el exterior del complejo hay un gran balcón que da al valle de Córdoba y sirve también como lugar para contemplar las impresionantes vistas. Y, Las Ermitas, siendo una estructura bastante sustancial — especialmente en lo que respecta a la imagen gigante de Jesús — también puede ser visto desde las llanuras del valle del Guadalquivir, recordándonos de la omnipresencia de Dios.
En el interior, la construcción consiste en la pequeña pero muy ornamentada capilla de Nuestra Señora de Belén, en la que se pueden encontrar huesos y cráneos de monjes antiguos, un testimonio de lo corta e insignificante que es nuestra estancia en la tierra.
También hay una serie de pequeñas celdas en las que vivían los monjes. Dentro de estas celdas se conserva todavía una dura cama de madera, una pequeña mesa con una lámpara, un libro de oración, el rosario, crucifijo, etc., junto con uno o dos objetos macabros que se utilizaron para la mórbida práctica de mortificar la carne.
Aparte de estas celdas, también hay una cueva excavada en las rocas metamórficas y fosilizadas del Cámbrico, supuestamente para otras prácticas; y más adelante se encuentra un modesto cementerio con nichos.
Toda esta construcción está flanqueada por hermosos jardines sombreados, huertos, árboles frutales y cipreses y cedros que bordean los caminos empedrados que conectan un edificio con otro. La embriagadora fragancia de jazmín, filadelfo y boj se entremezcla con el perfume dulzón de la dama de la noche y la flor cítrica: forman un arome intoxicante que compite con el dulce y picante olor de olíbano y mirra que emanan del humeante incienso.
Un poco más abajo de este arbolado y curvado camino se encuentra la impresionante estructura del Sagrado Corazón de Jesús. Esta enorme Jesús vela sobre toda Córdoba, y mientras señala hacia los cielos con el brazo y dedo extendidos, recuerda a la población del único Dios supremo; Su mano izquierda descansa sobre Su Sagrado Corazón.
A los pies de esta imponente escultura se encuentra una enorme silla, El Sillón del Obispo Treviño tallado en piedra. Aquí se puede sentar y meditar las glorias de Dios.
Incluso de noche esta escena es llamativa, ya que todo el conjunto está iluminado por luces doradas que transmiten un aura celestial alrededor del Salvador y a todo lo que se despliegue a sus pies.
Las Ermitas es un sitio extremadamente tranquilo, donde uno puede perderse en la oración, meditación y contemplación – ideal para un retiro espiritual.
También dispone de habitaciones que se puede alquiler para disfrutar al máximo.
(Algunos de los anteriores párrafos son extractos de mi libro titulado An English Lady in Cordova – the Alternative Guide, ilustrado y escrito en inglés, disponible en varios países como un libro de bolsillo y también digital.)
I’m sharing a photo I took the other day of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. This giant, towering statue of Our Lord can be found in the hermitage, Las Ermitas, which is perched high on the Sierra Morena hills of Cordova (Andalusia).
The name of this particular stretch of mountainside on which the sacred site is built is called Cerro de la Cárcel(Prison Hill), and this hill, in turn, forms part of the Desierto de Nuestra Señora de Belén (The Desert of Our Lady of Bethlehem—rather a mouthful!).
The spiritual hideout nestles amongst the surrounding wild olives, Holm oak, and carob trees; there are other species growing in close juxtaposition which hark back to the times of Abd ar-Rahman I and his 8th century Syrian importations: some of these include the hackberry, privet, butcher’s broom, jujube, sumac, and the shrieking, magical mandrake (which the Arabs refer to as ‘Satan’s apple’).
Anyway, the hermitage was founded in 1703, but when the last monk, Juan Vicente de la Madre de Dios (John Vincent of the Mother of God—another mouthful!) passed away in 1957, the Hermitage was given to the care of the Discalced Carmelite friars.
On the outside of the complex there is a large balcony that overlooks the valley of Cordova which also serves as a place to contemplate the impressive vistas. And vice versa: The Hermitage, being quite a substantial structure—especially as far as the giant sculpture of Jesus goes—can also be seen from the flat plains of the lower Guadalquivir Valley, reminding us of God’s omnipresence.
On the inside, the construction consists of a small but incredibly ornate chapel namedNuestra Señora de Belén (Our Lady of Bethlehem) in which you can find bones and skulls of past monks, reminding us how short and insignificant our stay on earth is.
There is also a series of little ‘celdas’ or cells, in which the monks lived. Still preserved within these cells is a hard wooden bed, a small sidetable replete with lamp, prayer book, rosary, crucifix etc., together with a grisly item or two that was used for the morbid practise of mortification of the flesh.
Source: Archivo Municipal de Córdoba
Apart from these cells, there’s also a cave hewn out from the metamorphic, Cambrian fossiliferous rocks, supposedly for other practises; and further ahead lies a modest cemetery with niches.
This whole construction is flanked by beautiful shady gardens, vegetable patches, fruit trees and lofty cypresses and cedars that line the cobbled paths connecting one edifice to another. The heady fragrance of jasmine, philadelphus and box intermingles with lady of the night and citrus blossom and forms an intoxicating perfume that competes with the sweet, spicy frankincense-myrrh scent that emanates from the smouldering incense.
A little way down this curving, shrub-lined path lies the impressive structure of the Sagrado Corazón de Jesús(Sacred Heart of Jesus). This massive Jesus watches over the whole of Cordova, and as He points towards the heavens with outstretched arm and extended finger, He reminds the populace of the one supreme God; His left hand remains closely over His Sagrado Corazón.
Source: Diocese of Córdoba
At the foot of this towering sculpture is a huge chair, El Sillón del Obispo Treviño (Bishop Treviño’s Throne) fashioned from stone. Here you can sit and meditate upon God’s glories.
Source: Archivo Municipal de Córdoba
Even at night this scene is striking, as the whole ensemble is illuminated by gold-tinted lights that impart a celestial aura to the Saviour and all that stretches at His feet.
It is an extremely peaceful site, one where you can lose yourself in prayer, meditation and contemplation — great for a spiritual retreat. In fact, there are rooms that are let out too.
Tal y como sugiere la foto, las nubes han llegado finalmente aquí a Posadas (Córdoba, provincia de Andalucía). Esto anuncia todos los increíbles amaneceres y atardeceres que estaremos experimentando.
Just as the photo suggests, clouds have finally arrived here in Posadas (Cordova, province of Andalusia). This heralds all the amazing sunrises and sunsets we’ll be experiencing.
Tomo esta oportunidad para compartir mi anuncio ofreciendo mis servicios como traductora del español al inglés. Te agradezco tu paciencia y que me hayas leído o compartido mis datos con cualquier persona interesada ¡Muchas gracias de antemano! xx
«Se ofrece traducciones profesionales del español al inglés; un amplio espectro de temas, incluyendo general, científico, tecnológico, ciencias naturales, cultura y literario – documentos, cartas de presentación, tesis doctorales, Másteres, así como libros (recientemente traducido: El Hombre que tenía Miedo de Vivir; y Resetéate, ambos disponibles en Amazon). Se realiza una traducción humana y personal que ajuste más al original, en vez de una traducción mecánica.
I’m just taking the opportunity of posting my translation ad here, hoping that it might prove fruitful!
Thank you for bearing with me, and/or sharing my details / contacting me in the case of any potential translations needed. Much appreciated! x :-
«Professional Spanish to English translation work offered encompassing a wide scope of topics, ranging from general, scientific, technological, natural science, culture to literary — including documents, covering letters, doctoral theses, Masters, as well as books (recently translated:The Man who was Afraid to Live; and Reset Yourself, both available on Amazon). Personal human translation is conducted, rather than mechanical.
An English Lady in Cordova 