For thousands of years, our ancestors had simply used natural pigments, like clays, ochres, minerals, soils, and other organic elements to express themselves. Living in deep connection with the Land. As we can see, in the remarkable records of Rupestrian Art around the world, that are still being discovered nowadays. When we look at these early art forms, we notice that there is something mysterious and magical about their true meaning. In my creative process, I am inspired by these ancient and primal methods. 

   

   I see this as an alchemy and a slow process, that begins in the studio, in preparing the pigments to make ink. The first step in preparing colored earth is, to ground them into very fine particles, and purifying with water, then mix them with a binder, the liquid that holds the pigment. In my oil paintings, I use walnut oil and in watercolors, I use gum Arabic, from an African tree resin. 

Landscapes made with Earth Pigments

    The paintings are made by hand with raw pigments, collected in the Archipelago of Madeira, and in different locations around the world, from natural and sustainable sources.

Each pigment we find on Earth is a living element and tells the story of each place. These colors have preserved in their core the memories of life on earth from thousands of years ago. They map our origins as creative human beings. A gift from our Creator, to bring more color to our lives.