Once again, Moody escaped the harsh winter weather - this time travelling to the warm, lush and colorful island of Cuba.

It is a beautiful country and the people are passionate and full of life. They express their diverse culture through dance, music and art.

Cuba is a unique country and visitors are treated to a way of life that is a blend of old and new. At times you feel as if you have taken a step back in time - old cars, horse carts, crumbling architecture and no cell phones. It is an extremely interesting place that everyone should visit at least once in their lifetime.

Although we had some fun with Moody, we also took the time to visit a number of galleries and meet some talented artists. One of those artists, 'Manuel', has agreed to work on a Moody for one of our upcoming group shows.

Manuel Hernandez Valdes was born in Cuba in 1943. He has been a participating artist in many major events in Havana. His paintings have also been shown in Belgium, Mexico, Germany and Spain.

In addition to his reputation as a painter, he is also known as a cartoonist, ceramist, illustrator and humorist.

He has been honored with the Pablo Picasso Medal of UNESCO and the Journalism Prize - National Jose Marti.

His works are found in important private collections such as:

- Danielle Mitterrand Foundation
- Geraldine Chaplin Collection
- Mario Benedetti Collection

His paintings are very representative of the Cuban art that idealizes the human body and integrates nature - planting sugar cane, banana, tobacco etc. His characters reflect the gentleness and happiness of the Cuban rural-living environment.