I’ve just returned from a fascinating and rewarding trip to Portugal, where I taught a workshop at Sofia in Monsaraz. It was my first visit to the country, and I was captivated by the artistry on display in both Lisbon and the more remote Alentejo region, where we traveled for the workshop. Ceramic-tiled buildings, patterned stone walkways, ornate religious vestments, hand-loomed rugs, colorful pottery—I wanted to draw it all. I don’t often create such an elaborate opening page for a trip, but inspired by tile motifs and frequent sightings of House Martins, this page felt right.

I also sketched a few things that caught my eye during a visit to the Lisbon cathedral (Se de Lisboa), where Common Swifts ruled the skies and where we lit a candle in honor of the recent passing of our Uncle Max.

Another highlight in Lisbon was a visit to the Museum of Natural History and Science. It was fabulous: not only were there plenty of historic specimens, but there was also an excellent exhibition on natural history illustration, along with another on the impacts of climate warming on wildlife.

And this was only in the first few days, before I met my group and headed into a countryside dotted with ancient olive and cork oak trees, vineyards, and white-walled villages. More to come!