Chasing the Last Days of Summer: The Stories Behind My Greece Art Prints 'Parilio' and 'End of Summer'

In the fall of 2023, Taylor and I decided it was time for a little adventure. We packed our bags with all the light, summery clothes we could find—think breezy dresses, comfy sandals, and sunglasses—and jetted off to Greece. We were there for an artist retreat, which was seriously amazing! The days were filled with creativity and inspiration, and I loved connecting with fellow artists who shared the same passion. But after a few days of bonding and diving into group activities, we were totally “peopled-out.” All we wanted was some alone time to just chill and soak in the gorgeousness of Greece.

After wrapping up the retreat, we made our way to Paros, an island that’s all about those stunning beaches and beautiful white marble. We booked a stay at Parilio, which turned out to be our little slice of heaven. From the moment we arrived, it felt like we were stepping into our own private oasis. The vibe was just right for unwinding.

We spent our days lounging by the pool, sipping on refreshing drinks, and just hanging out on our balcony, soaking up the peaceful vibes while getting lost in our books. Seriously, it was the perfect way to reset and just BE. We even had some laughs trying to figure out how to order some of the local dishes—we're definitely not food critics, but we gave it our best shot!

Now, I have to mention the hotel wasn’t all-inclusive, but they had a fab restaurant right there, so we didn’t even need to leave the property if we didn’t feel like it. As someone who loves a little peace and quiet, it was exactly what I needed—a cozy spot to sit all day, soak up the sun, and enjoy the gentle breeze. And let’s talk about the cats! Oh my gosh, Greece is filled with the friendliest felines, and Parilio had its own little gang of kittens. They would hop onto our laps by the pool, curling up as we relaxed, and occasionally trying to sneak a bite of our snacks. How can you resist that level of cuteness?

But what really stole my heart were the plants at Parilio. I was completely smitten with their stunning collection of grasses—seriously, I’ve never seen anything like it! The desert plants felt both unique and so familiar. There were these tall grasses swaying in the breeze and palm trees dancing in the sunlight, all bursting with vibrant colors. I found myself snapping endless photos and filming so many videos because I wanted to capture that vibe for my paintings when I got home. You better believe my camera roll was packed!