This tree is like the ultimate tall friend, stretching about 100 feet above the 1,500-year-old Chapel of St Julien (aka the Cypress Chapel) with resilience, strength, and beauty. It has offered inspiration and shade to pilgrims and spiritual seekers for about 1,000 years! Now that’s commitment!

I can’t wait to give it a hug, because as legend (and a sign in the monastery) says, the cypress huggers’ feet will be pain-free when arriving in Santiago – that’s every pilgrim’s dream!

And I also want to sit below the Cypress, noting its simple shape once more in my sketchbook, matching the colors of its shaggy bark and golden green canopy.

But mostly, I can’t wait to share this stunning place around Samos, Spain with our pilgrims on the Artsy Way.  I will teach simple techniques to capture its essence in our travel journals.

I’ve said it often:  It doesn’t matter if you have a long-time art practice or think you can’t draw a straight line, whatever you put down on your page will become a somatic reminder of your experience.  When you sketch from life, the smells, sounds, weather, and surroundings will etch into your memory, cementing that moment in your memory in a unique and profound way.

Our Artsy Way Itinerary has a Creative/Historic Site lay-over day in the village of Samos to soak in its rich heritage. In addition to the Cypress Chapel and tree, the magnificent monastery of St. Julien was built 1400 years ago following the teaching of St. Benedict, who emphasized education, community life and devotion. Throughout the centuries, the monastery has been a center for education and religious scholarship. We’ll tour its colorful gardens, ancient halls, chapels, and peruse the spectacular library, as well as spend lots of time outside under the Cypress tree.

In addition to Christian lore, this place is steeped in Celtic symbolism. The Celts began to settle in Galicia around 800 BC, and their presence has left a lasting impact on the region’s culture, language, and traditions. The ancient Celtic tribes, known as the Gallaeci, inhabited the area, and their influence is still evident today. Nature was important to their spirituality and we will seek to expand our own creative spirit and connections with nature along our Artsy Way.

Google Arts & Culture has a beautiful Summary of Samos

And, we still have a couple of spaces open – please join us on the Artsy Way!