my family visiting Buenos Aires...and 'Ace

Saturday my daughter and her dad arrived for a 9-day visit. I really missed Eva in the last 6 weeks and am so happy that they are here! In the pictures: Leonard, Eva and Adriana, the master printer, who is explaining lots of things to them. And the last print that I made in 'Ace during the preparation period, that ended last week. This monday, May 4 the actual residency will start- fulltime work at 'Ace.

working in 'Ace

dear friends, here I am working in Proyecto 'Ace (today)!

work in Proyecto 'Ace started

I have worked in 'Ace for three days now. This week 2 more days, these days are a preparation for the fulltime residency that starts at May 1. In this preparation period I am trying out different techniques, working with Adriana, the master printer. It is a very intensive job! After a day's work I can hardly stand on my feet anymore. But I love it.

NGO's: I found 2 NGO's to support, both working with poor children, one in Rosario (El Desafio Foundation) and one here in Buenos Aires (Luz Verde). Yesterday Karina and Daco from Luz Verde were here. They explained a lot to me about the work they do. I like it. Karina is going to take me and Eva, my daughter, to a school in one of the villa's (slums) after Eva arrives here.
I am longing to see my daughter again after all this time. She arrives next saturday!

In the pictures, some of the preparations that I will bring to 'Ace tomorrow when we continue printing.

recuperated

Finally recuperated from the nasty cold. The weather also got better. Here in Collegiales, it's much more 'barrio'. You don't find hairdressers and pedicures on every block, nor 'tarjetas larga distancia' (cheap telephone cards, to call home). It's so nice here that I hardly went out, for example to Palermo to buy the phone cards and finally get a haircut (which I really need).
Except of course at night- now that I'm better, have more energy, I really enjoy dancing tango and this weekend I got home in the early morning each day.
Wednesday my residency starts. In April there will be 5 days of 'Open studio' for me, meaning I will be working with the masterprinter, also to get more used to, and experiment with, new techniques. And then in May it's fulltime. I'm looking forward, also a bit nervous. It will change my rhythm of painting in the afternoon and dancing at night.
I am now in contact, with thanks to the Dutch Embassy here, with some NGO's doing good work helping street children. Exchanging information. Wiill be deciding which one I will support through my project, soon.
I love being here!