Speaking of favourite memories: in 2015 I rented an apartment in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, for a period of 6 weeks. I also rented a studio about 5 minutes away on foot, at the historical Instituto de Allende. Colourful birds and butterflies fluttered about, amid sprays of bougainvillaea, tropical trees and shrubs, situated around the sculpture garden, next to my studio. Glass stars hung from tree branches, reflecting the bright Mexican sun... I had found paradise! I painted in my studio, every day, including Sundays, when I had to walk through the Handmade Market, to enter the premises via a back gate. I was inspired, especially on those Sundays: the smells of freshly cooked food, the colors of the handmade baskets, tiles, and other trinkets intended for sale to tourists, the sounds of the mariachi bands playing... my senses were stimulated! I found myself painting pieces that reflected my experiences, and I have a collection of paintings which I call VIVA (link in bio). These are some of the pieces I have painted since that visit. San Miguel de Allende is forever imprinted on my brain. 🧡❤️💜💙 #ClaireDesjardins #InspiredByMexico #SanMiguelDeAllende #Viva #VivaSeries #BuyArtOnline #Mexico #WhereIFindInspiration #Inspiration (at Gore (Québec)) https://www.instagram.com/p/CFXB_7Vp6it/?igshid=rt914f3tfr15