Tom Cowsert

The day I decided that indeed leaving my job at the bank and moving to Spain was the right thing to do, I was driving home from work and I rolled down my window, took off my tie and threw it out of the window.

And it was a really nice tie. But as I watched it flutter by in my rearview mirror, I felt free.

But rather than running away from something, I was running to something, mainly myself. I had a nice, stable life in Charlotte, US, house and garden in a pleasant neighborhood (Myers Park), great neighbors and friends, all very comfortable, but I lacked adventure and fulfillment. And Spain, the land of Don Quixote, felt like the ideal place.

So, I moved to a small coastal town just south of Barcelona called Sitges. I didn't know anyone there or speak Spanish or understand much about the world of art, galleries, or exhibits. But, I remembered the good advice of a friend who says we regret more the things we don't do in life than the things we do.

I had decided to stay for at least a year, as a sabbatical, and then determine whether to continue (it has been over 20 years now). I did go with the blessing of my managers at Bank of America who had assured me they would find a place for me if I decided to return.

I immediately took an intensive language course in an academy whose director happened to have studied for a year at NC State. And I immersed myself in Spanish culture and lifestyle and have had great fortune to make great friends and know fascinating people including bullfighters, flamenco dancers, politicians, ambassadors, writers and publishers, actors, film directors, and aristocrats. Your Majesty The King Felipe and Queen Letizia of Spain have paintings of mine as well as the Duchess of Alba (recently deceased).

I now live in Madrid and know most of Spain well. I've had exhibits in Barcelona, Madrid, Málaga, Toledo, Granada, Marbella, Mallorca, Ibiza, as well as France, Italy, Switzerland and the US.

I usually cite Picasso, Matisse and Juan Gris as major influences, but the wealth of Spanish artists and depth of museums and exhibits also provide inspiration,.from Velazquez, El Greco, Joaquin Sorolla, Dali, and many others.