December 17, 2003

Dear friends, patrons and colleagues,

I have been an artist-in-residence at the Fundacion Valparaiso in Mojacar,
Spain, from November 2 to 27, 2003. The residence has been followed by a
ten-day vacation, which allowed me for the first time to see some of the most
important artwork in the art history, including that of Velazquez, one of
the artists I revere the most. Below please find my brief report about this
trip that I am compelled to share with you while hoping to answer some of
the questions I have been asked.

Needless to say, the most important result of this trip is the paintings
and the following lines are nothing more than a commentary to the work of a
visual artist. I believe that some of my Spanish paintings are better than
anything I have ever done so far. To confirm the previous statement I can
add that I have had even rejected an offer to buy one of my paintings on the
spot where I have worked on it, so much I was eager to bring home the body
of my Spanish work in its entirety. I will keep you posted regarding the
arrangements for showing these paintings and expect to be able to have some
new images on my website in about a month, maso – meno, as Spanish say.

As far as the residency is concerned, I am happy to tell you that it was
extremely fruitful not only in terms of my own immediate work and visiting
the museums thereafter. From my perspective, one of the most important
aspects of a residency be exposed to different culture, is to meet other
artists of various backgrounds, to see what they do and how they react to my
artwork. In general, this reaction was positive beyond my expectations and
might result in additional showing and teaching opportunities. Currently too
vague be described in a greater detail, the latter nevertheless gives me a
feeling that I will continue my artistic voyages.

I would like to conclude these remarks with an expression of my deep
gratitude to the board of Fundacion Valparaiso for their invitation as well
as to the staff of the art colony which was crucial in making my stay so
pleasant and productive; to the New York Foundation for the Arts for
providing an additional funding for this opportunity; to all of you for your
continuous interest in and support of my art, and, yes, the last category
includes the heroic dealer who has greeted me with an on-line sale of my
work after being patient enough to wait until the artist resurfaces from the
other side of the globe through the havoc of snowstorms and flight
cancellations.

Happy holidays and my best wishes for 2004 for everybody!

Yours,

Ilya Lerner

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