In 2022, we found ourselves at a spare table in the restaurant with arguably the best view in the place. Right before our eyes, freshly caught fish were being filleted right in the water. Barracudas hung around for their lunch, and a pelican perched patiently, waiting for a bite. This was a beautiful day at restaurant Purunchi in Curaçao!

That very week, I started painting this moment - capturing a memory that felt magical. I began the artwork at my family's house in Curaçao but didn't finish it until 2023, back in Amsterdam.

When my partner revisited the island in 2024, he brought the restaurant's sweet owner a limited edition print of the original painting. This encounter led to an incredible recorded conversation about the restaurant's founding, the team that became more like family, and the rollercoaster of running a business. I'll be typing up the interview results soon because Purunchi is truly an inspiring place.