The 43-year-old Israeli artist Vered Brett is one of the many expatriates residing in Monte Estoril. Although her home studio — located in the spacious attic of her villa — isn't fully open to the public, it can be visited by appointment. There, Brett paints her abstract art, heavily inspired by the natural tones of Cascais' coastline: the colors of the rocks, sandy terrain, and the ocean under a cloudy sky.
Her house, though completely remodeled, has an interesting history — according to the artist, it once served as a residence for the famous Portuguese actress Rosa Damasceno, who passed away in 1904 and was a well-known lover of King D. Luís I. “I feel that creative energy still resides there,” Vered Brett tells Time Out.
Before moving to Monte Estoril, the Israeli spent seven years in London with her husband. They relocated to Portugal in early 2021, shortly after Brexit, seeking to remain in the European Union while also searching for a more peaceful life in a less hectic place. “I used to work in marketing, but I stopped when we came here, and in talking to someone about what I could do, someone mentioned art,” Brett explains.
Vered Brett had been painting as a hobby for a long time, focusing on realistic works that never truly fulfilled her. After taking an online course with a North American abstract painter, she began to build her own style. “Moving to Portugal just made me more comfortable; something unlocked inside,” she says. “The warmth of the people, the fresh food, the climate... It's very different from London.”
For Brett, painting is a "healing process," and she hopes her works can do the same for others. “I hope I can inspire others to let go of their fears, to be vulnerable, to open up,” she adds. This Friday, March 8, marks the opening of her latest exhibition, “Whispers From The Coast,” which will be on display at the Ode Winery in Cartaxo until April 13. Looking ahead, Vered Brett hopes to open a gallery-studio space that would be fully open to the public here in Monte Estoril and she already has other exhibitions planned, including a show at CNAP in Lisbon starting June 15.