PIGSY welcomes visitors to his Malaga Studio

Visit artist PIGSY in La Casa Amarilla

PIGSY Spanish art studio is located on Calle Santos in the centre of Malaga City close to Calle Larios

During the pandemic Irish Artist PIGSY has been working full time as a professional artist in Malaga and is a resident in La Casa Amarilla Gallery. Pigsy’s studio is on the second floor of La Casa Amarilla which is a popular gallery in Malaga City Centre directed by David Burbano. The gallery is home to different sized art studios and hosts artists of various disciplines within. La Casa Amarilla is on Calle Santos a quiet street very near to Calle Larios and faces on to Cafe Aranda where you can stop off for a coffee and a churro after a visit to the studio. The cafe has been serving up churros since 1932 to the people of Malaga and visitors to this pleasant city!

Calle Larios, Malaga

The studio is a short walk from Calle Larios the main thoroughfare in Malaga Centro. Larios Street is a stunningly beautiful pedestrianised shopping street lined with attractive architectural buildings that at time will have you looking up rather than looking in the the shops! Most of the city is very walkable due to the pedestrianisation and also because of the size of the city which is very manageable for most to get about either walking or cycling - or you can rent an electric scooter too. The public bus is reliable and regular and can take you beyond the city if you wish to visit some of the small fishing villages along the coast (Pedregaleo is a must see), some of which are now home to chilled out fashionable, somewhat hipster, restaurants and cafes.

Art in Malaga

Pablo Picasso

Malaga has a rich art history with it of course being the birthplace of Pablo Picasso. Today artists and art lovers alike flock to the city to visit the two Picasso museums - one based in the house he was born in and the other in the house he grew up in.

Museo Carmen Thyssen Malaga

Along with this there are numerous other museums with the Carmen Thyssen in the centre of the city (steps away from PIGSY’s studio) showcasing a massive collection consisting of classic Spanish artists including artists, such as Mariano Fortuny, Joaquín Sorolla, Darío de Regoyos, Julio Romero de Torres and Ignacio Zuloaga.

The Carmen Thyssen Museum has a really nice cafe and gift store. The cafe does a really good cup of coffee (cortado) and there is a good deal for breakfast of a mixto, coffee and a glass of juice for about 3 euro.

Pompideau Malaga

The Pomipou Centre also has a museum here in Malaga (the first Pomidou Centre outside of France). The Pompidou Centre is located down by the port can only be described as a jewel in the crown of the marina and in fact it looks like a jewellery box being a cube colored building designed by Architect Renzo Piano sparkling in the sun and inviting visitors in to an amazing collection of artwork including Joan Miro, Dali and you guessed it some Picasso too!

There are lots of nice restaurants situated down by the marina close to the Pompideau Centre Malaga so you can make a whole half day of your visit to the museum and a lunch by the marina along with maybe a walk down to the lighthouse.

The Pompideau Malaga is free in after 5pm on Sundays.

Museo Jorge Rando

The Museo Jorge Rando reopened in Oct/Sept 2020 after renovations. It is located in an area that is a short walk from Uncibay Plaza is definitely worth seeing for both it’s extensive Rando collection and also the architecture of the museum with a spectacular corten clad courtyard out to the back of the building.

I visited the Museo Jorge Rando in October 2020 after it had reopened after renovations.

Malaga Studio Visit - Contact Enid

Contact Enid on pigsy.art@gmail.com if you are in the Malaga region and would like to meet PIGSY and take a tour of his studio and also visit La Casa Amarilla Art Gallery on Calle Santos, Malaga. PIGSY always enjoys visitors to his studio and will chat to you all about his latest work and what he is currently being inspired by.

Enid is also happy to give restaurant or cafe recommendations if you are interested in spending time in Malaga and want to relax over a glass of wine and some tapas after visiting the studio!

My top picks for "the best of" Malaga

Visit Malaga

Malaga is a wonderful city to visit and enjoy a vacation in. It’s very accessible, arty and pet friendly. When you visit Malaga, you can head straight to all of these great cafes and restaurants, which are my recommendations for what I think is “the best of” Malaga City.

• Pastries, Cakes & Breads

Julia Bakery on Calle Carreteria for the best pastries and cakes. Their orange and chocolate brioche is divine and big enough for two to share. They also do a good coffee and a great selection of bagels for breakfast.

Edit - Feb 2022, Unfortunately I heard that Julia Bakery is now closed.

• Coffee

In no particular order, (1) Dulces Dreams is in a chilled out setting on Plaza de los Mártires Ciriaco y Paula and does a great cup of coffee in this beautiful micro square (2) Avokate on Calle Granada while I also enjoy (3) Mia Coffee Shop next door to Dulces Dreams.

• Tapas

Casa Lola has the best Russian Salad and is great for a relaxed dinner of tapas. There are three different locations of this restaurant but we prefer the one on Calle Granada the best.

• Pasta

Spagos on Calle Caldereria does the most amazing fresh pasta with choice of sauces. It’s available both sit in and take away

• Pizza

Madí on Calle San Augustin is our go to for pizza (and their pasta is excellent too). We received the recommendation from an Italian guy and I guess if anyone knows good pizza it is Italians!

• Churros

Churreria La Malaguena on Calle Sebastian Souviron has an authentic old fashioned feel to it and it’s the place to go for churros. They have no menu so order a coffee and pitufo for breakfast and you will be sorted!

La Malaguena - Pitufo and Coffee

Churro and Cafe Cortado

• Ambiance

Cafe Populus on Calle Alamos is where we are doing our Spanish Language Classes with Clara of “Speak and Learn”. It is in the beautiful Anahita Boutique Hotel and we sit out in the open roofed (but enclosed) terrace space for our lesson where we meet with teacher Clara. It is a beautiful space and very tranquil and quiet.

• Hot Chocolate

Casa Aranda on Calle Santos (across from my studio) feels like it has been around forever - it’s an institution in Malaga and has been in existence since the 1930’s. It’s the type of place that I imagine Picasso probably enjoyed a churro and hot chocolate in. It’s a must visit to partake in the same.

• Breakfast (Desayuno en Malaga)

Recyclo Bike Cafe is a cool spot - have a breakfast while your bike is in for a service!

Desayuno in Recyclo Bike Cafe in Malaga

Omelette

Let me know in the comments below if you visited any of these great spots or if you have any other Malaga recommendations.

Alcazaba in Malaga City

The Malaga Citadel a great historical site to visit that is not mentioned in the above post.You can find details of my visit to the walkway designed by OAM Architects here on my blog - it’s a must visit!

Where to buy art supplies in Malaga, Spain.....

Are you an artist looking for art supplies in Malaga?

Here’s a list of the best places for artists to buy art supplies in Malaga, Spain

When I first arrived in Malaga I had no idea where to start buying art supplies for my work in the studios of La Casa Amarilla. However, I’ve done the hard leg work now, so you don’t have to which means you can spend more time doing creative things in the art studio rather than searching out all of the places to buy art supplies in Malaga!

See below for full info about all of the art stores in Malaga where you can purchase art supplies for your artistic work.

Olimpia Fine Arts

C / Méndez Núñez 10, 29008 Málaga, Spain

Olimpia Fine Arts

When I arrived in Malaga, I set about locating all of the art supply stores. Luckily for me and purely by chance the apartment I rented is literally steps away from Olimpia Fine Art shop near Uncibay Plaza. It’s got an excellent range of products and I particularly recommend their hand stretched canvas which come in various sizes and are reasonably priced. And if you visit here, you can tell Francisco that the Irish artist PIGSY sent you here!

Iberia Art

Calle Atarazanas, 15, 29005 Málaga

Iberia Art

Iberia Art is located conveniently near the market in Malaga, Iberia Art is a treasure trove of art supplies. It is my go to store for spray paint. I also like how they are very active on instagram and have always shared my insta posts when I tag them!

It seems like a family run busines and they run it in the old school way where all of your items are priced up on a little docket by a staff member and you then take this docket up to whoever is manning (or womanning) the cash register in order to pay at the til.

The Place

Calle Cordoba 6, Malaga

The Place, Soho

I hit the motherload when I found “The Place” on Cordoba Street in Soho. It’s a mixed use cooperative of urban street wear, grafitti supplies, tattoo parlour, skateboard shop and a hairdresser! It’s awesome - there’s loads of edgy and cool stuff to look at. The spray cans and oil sticks are keenly priced too so I will definitely be returning soon for more supplies.

Along with being great for spray paint, the clothes are really good with a lot of USA brands available including Carhart and The Loser Machine.

Govez

Calle Puerta del Mar 18, Malaga

Govez

I happened upon this place when I was heading to Iberia Art. They have loads of paper supplies and pens and some art supplies but to me it seems more like a specialist stationery supplier than an art shop proper. They do sell canvas as well as paint. For things like paperclips and other mundane supplies this is a conveniently located shop that is well stocked. Along with this the staff are friendly and offer their assistance as soon as you go in the door. All ways good to take up the offer of assistance because anything that helps you get back to being creative in the art studio is the way to go!

Arvasa Frame Shop

Calle Compañía 32, Malaga

Arvasa Framing Shop, Malaga

Arvasa is a picture framing shop just down the way from the Museo Carmen Thyssen. I’m not to sure what’s going on with it because I passed by it today and unfortunately it looks like it is closing down. I had called to them a few weeks ago and made enquiries about getting some paintings framed and it did not look like this. The windows had a nice display at that time and the signage was perfect unlike the photo above. I’ll check it out again in a few week and will update this blog post if they are just closed for a refurbishment.

Update - as of 2024, this shop is still closed down which is a really pity as it is very centrally located - come to think of it, it would make a great art gallery or art studio in Malaga.

Vasco Informatica

Avenida de Manuel Agustín Heredia 14, Malaga

Vasco

This store is more of a stationers but sells plenty of things like paper, markers, pens and glues sticks etc.

Critaleria Malaguena - Framing Shop

Located on Calle Carretería 29 in Malaga Centro

An excellent framing shop in Malaga - they also stretched canvas for me!

Cardboard roll - from fabric store trash!

Found Objects - making art from things found on the streets of Malaga

Additionally I have bought art supplies in some of the hardware stores found around the city. However, the one thing that I am struggling with is “Found Objects”. I had planned to make art with objects that I found in skips on the street. But to be honest, Malaga is so spotlessly clean I am not finding these items, bar what I got in the pics above!

I saw the cardboard roll being thrown in the bin in a fabric store so I went in and asked could I have it. They very kindly obliged me.

But watch this space. I will continue on the search for Found Objects and other art shops too.

Canvas from Olimpia Arte

Where I paint in Malaga…..

I’m currently a resident artist in La Casa Amarilla. Call in and see the gallery on Calle Santos in the centre of the city near Calle Neuve.

PIGSY Short Film

To know more about me and my art work click below to watch the PIGSY short film

Malaga Museum Visit: CAC Malaga - Centro de Arte Contemporáneo de Málaga

Contemporary Art at the CAC Malaga - Centro de Arte Contemporáneo de Málaga

CAC Malaga

Sunday was a 2 museum visit day! I visited the Contemporary Art Centre (the CAC) in Malaga in the morning time and then in the late afternoon at 5pm, I visited the Carmen Thyssen museum again before I went to my studio to do some work. The visit to the Carmen Thyssen was literally a flying visit as once we got in, we took the lift straight to the top floor to the temporary exhibition “Mascaras”. I’ll blog about that separately.

So back to my visit to the Centro de Arte Contemporáneo.

Forget about the art, I was seriously impressed by the building itself. The CAC is housed in an old 1930’s warehouse which you can read more about here. The rooms have really high ceilings and the whole place is extremely spacious and open plan and it lends itself to showcasing massive pieces of contemporary art.

Juan F. Lacomba at the CAC Malaga

The exhibition that we most wanted to visit was the exhibition of artist Juan F. Lacomba which ran from May to the 30th of August and so Sunday was the last day that it would be seen. The exhibition was titled “Aquí a lo lejos” (Here in the distance) and it consisted of many large scale works along with numerous smaller pieces that were arranged in a grid like patterns by the curator. To my mind, nature was to the forefront of many of the pieces but they were intensely layered canvas with an organic depth and feel to them. It was a very impressive exhibition and I was immensely glad to see it on the last day.

I intend to return very soon to the CAC to see the next exhibition that is on show. For further info about the Centro de Arte Contemporaneo de Malaga, click here.

36 hours in Bristol

Bristol we will be back!

Banksy in Bristol

36 hours was not enough. After leaving our house at 4am for our flight to Bristol we hit the ground running when we landed in Bristol going straight in to the city, stopping off for breakfast (in Pinkman’s Bakery) and then on to a museum before rocking up at 11am for a Street Art Walking Tour that I had booked on line. However, the most exciting thing was that we happened upon our very first Banksy in the wild literally as we walked along the road as we looked for somewhere to have breakfast. Just brilliant!

Bristol Independent Film Festival

After the walking tour (it was excellent) we got to our hotel by 2pm and checked in. I had booked a superior suite so we had access to the executive suite where we had time for a relaxing drink before we got a taxi to the stunning Everyman Theatre for the Bristol Independent Film Festival where the Pigsy documentary was being screened. We saw some excellent films and when the festival finished we made our way to the very cool Quay St. Diner for dinner. The theatre itself that the festival was on in was a stunning 1920’s art deco cinema building.

Bristol Bus Tour & another Banksy

Then on Sunday we had a leisurely breakfast before making our way to the nearest bus stop to get out on an open top bus for a tour all over the city and even out to Brunel’s suspension bridge which we were very interested in seeing. After the bus tour we took a walk down the docks and visited the M Shed Museum which was very interesting and we got to see another Banksy - the one that he painted on the side of the Thekla boat. At this point we had enough walking so we went over to the little arthouse Watershed Cinema where we took in the Polish movie “Cold War”. After the film it was off to Spitfire for wings before we got on the bus back to the airport for our flight home to Ireland.

Phew we did so much!

All in all, we thought Bristol was a cool chilled out hip city and we look forward to returning again.

Here’s a few pics from the weekend.

Connemara: In the footsteps of Charles Lamb

The Old Knitting Factory in Carraroe

Artist Charles Lamb in Carraroe

After spending a weekend in Carraroe (where we stayed in the The Old Knitting Factory Cottage), I can see why the artist Charles Lamb spent his life there painting scenes of everyday folk working in Connemara along with painting the lake.

Loch an Mhuilinn in Carraroe

I spent time by Loch an Mhuilinn (Mill Lake) which was stunningly beautiful and very peaceful. It was brilliant to be able to climb down to the lakeside, due to it being very low after a Summer of drought in Ireland, and listen to the waves lapping the shore.

The Old Knitting Factory was established to create employment in the locality for the women of the Gaeltacht. The cottage was also used as a movie theatre too in the 1960’s! It sure was a different time in Ireland then.

Here's a few pics I captured over the weekend:

The View of Loch an Mhuillin from The Old Knitting Factory

The Old Knitting Factory, Connemara

See here for more info on the history of The Old Knitting Factory and what it’s current use is.

Pasta, more pasta and tiramisu - Eating out in Venice

Venice eats!

On our first day after our 4 hour walking tour of Venice, we were completely drained and ate in the very first that we came to when we left our hotel after changing for dinner. The restaurant was the Bonvecchiati in the Hotel Bonevecchiati and it did the job very nicely.

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Ai Mercanti Restaurant, Venice, Italy

Art on a plate - the art of Pasta!

On our second night we got a recommendation from our hotel and they made a reservation for us in the Ai Mercanti. After a little struggle to find the place (it was down a little hidden street) we had a an enjoyable meal with quite possibly the best plate of pasta that I have ever eaten. Pasta, oil, garlic, chilli & parmesan - so simple but so so good!

Budget eats in Venice

We had heard that it was expensive to eat out in Venice but did not find it to be so. There was lots of little sandwich bars where you could people watch and get an espresso for about a euro. There was also an option of ordering a pizza for less than 10 euro when eating out. I guess the best thing to do is check the cover charge before sitting down - one place down at the water was charging 6 euro cover and stay away from San Marco Square when eating!

Visiting Carlo Scarpa sites

Venice: Visiting Carlo Scarpa Architectural Sites

For the past few days I was in Venice, Italy where I got to visit some modern architectural sites including 3 by architect Carlo Scarpa.  We were only visiting for three short days (Venice is only 2.5hrs from Ireland and I flew with Aer Lingus) but hit the ground running with an arrival in to Venice at 1.30pm and then a booked architectural tour starting at 2.30pm.

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Olivetti Showroom, Fondazione Querini Stampalia and Tolentini Entrance by Scarpa

The three Scarpa sites we visited were the Olivetti Showroom, the Fondazione Querini Stampalia and Tolentini Entrance at the Venice University.

First was the Olivetti showroom which is in San Marco square. It's a small shop that was designed in 1958 to showcase Olivetti products (typewriters). It's a stunning interior with so many worked out details that it was hard to take it all in on our short visit. For me however, it was the feeling or experience of being in the store that was quite amazing. The sense of space is a remarkable achievement.

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Japanese inspired architecture by Carlo Scarpa in Venice

Scarpa was inspired by both Japanese architecture and also Frank Lloyd Wright and this can certainly be seen in this window and screen.

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Fondazione Querini Stampalia, Venice by Carolo Scarpa

The Fondazione Querini Stampalia is a cultural institution that was founded in the 1860's with the ground floor and garden being redesigned by Carlo Scarpa in the 1960's. It's a really sympathetic redesign and once again there is a particularly serene feeling in the building - particularly with the open water gate that allows water right in to the building.

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Carlo Scarpa’s Tolentini Entrance, Venice

The final Carlo Scarpa site we visited was the Tolentini Entrance which was completed after Scarpa's death. It has a specific Scarpa look and is a fine piece of design. See below for two pics of the entranceway. The top pic is the right side and the bottom pic is the whole front.

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Venice Modernist Architecture

While not a Scarpa building, we also visited the Casa di Risparmio which is now a bank. It was a highly controversial design as the outside is in complete modern contrast to all of the buildings in the surroundings. Here's a photo of the inside.

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Dinner in Venice after the Architectural Tour

After our 4 hour architectural walking tour we got back to our hotel changed for dinner and then went out and ate in literally the first restaurant we came upon!

We were guided in Venice by Francesca from Move Nice and would thoroughly recommend the tour.