Alice of Penelles - Foxx and Zeso, LLeida

About 130 kms away from Barcelona, in the neighboring western province of Lleida in Catalonia, there is this little oasis of street art where almost every house is a public mural joyously adorned with graffiti. This town is called Penelles. I took pictures there a long time ago but never took the time to share it with you, not that I remember (I must be going nuts with these pandemic times). Not only do you find local ideas over there but also the work of international artists like the New Yorker or better said Long Islander BKFOXX and the French @zesoner who in unison delighted us with this wonderful and realistic Alice about to lead us through the rabbit burrow in the very corner of these two walls.

The Artist and its Work, Las Ramblas, Barcelona

Here is a real artist contemplating his drawing at one of those spots specially assigned to painters and caricaturists along Las Ramblas, Barcelona. Nothing like the pleasure of staring at your work with the satisfaction of having created something you feel proud of. It happens with almost everything in life, and certainly, we are here because we like to create stuff and have goals that make us find a place as individuals in society. Of course you create for yourself but you need some recognition for your creation to be valuable. Being an artist many times depends on just that, good reviews. Although, then, there's the real artist, the one with the gift, like, Mozart for example, people that are great simply because they are, and the only thing you can do about it is bow and worship in awe. In other words, there are gifted souls and the rest of mortals. Within the latter, you've got, individuals that try real hard, and come out with a remarkable result and then there is the mediocre kind, divided into those who accept they are and those who regard themselves as artists. Do what you do, your work is of course respectable because is yours but don't expect everybody to like it. But beware of critics that may be part of that mediocre bunch and their snobbish ways, because sometimes genuine art is judged by shortsighted minds and they are really harmful.

Human Statues at La Rambla: Captain

The Bronze Captain Steering Through the Crowd

If Las Ramblas is a chaotic river of humanity flowing down to the Mediterranean, then this guy is its most steadfast captain. I spotted this incredible living statue recently, and you just have to admire the commitment to the role. Amidst the noise, the pickpockets, and the endless shuffling of feet, he was an absolute anchor of stillness.

It’s one thing to put on a costume; it’s another to completely transform yourself into weathered bronze. The patina effect here is top-notch, right down to the pipe stuck firmly in his metallic beard and the intense, unblinking stare fixed on the horizon (or maybe just the H and M across the street).

The Discipline of Turning to Metal

Look at the grip on that ship’s wheel. He isn't just standing there; he's locked into a moment of tension. The details—the bell, the netting with the plastic crabs at the base—really sell the scene. But what always gets me about performers at this level isn't the props; it's the sheer physical discipline.

Think about it. To look like unfeeling metal, you have to suppress every natural human instinct. You can't scratch an itch. You don't flinch when a kid runs right up to your face. You have to breathe so shallowly that your chest doesn't seem to move. He’s turned himself into an object in order to make a living from the subjects walking by.

The Storm Inside the Statue

While the lady in red in this other post shows us the vulnerability of taking a break, this bronze captain portrays the armor of being "on." He’s encased himself to survive the flood of people.

It makes you wonder what’s going on behind those bronze-painted eyelids. Is he meditating? Is he replaying a song in his head to pass the time? It’s an incredible mental feat to remain that rigid while the rest of the world is so fluid and messy around you. He might look like he's made of heavy metal, but the willpower required to stay frozen like that is the strongest thing about him.

Barcelona Artists: Drawings or Photos?

How many times have you seen these anonymous artists while going for a stroll in big cities like London, Paris, Rome or maybe your own? In Barcelona you may have the chance to have your small photo drawn freehand if you don´t have patience enough to sit and pose while being the center of attention of onlookers. Maybe you are later exhibited in this gallery of famous hollywood actors. Conclusion: Yet another expression of art to enjoy in Las Ramblas.