Sol y Luna

As Sol y Luna’s Artist Immersion program goes from strength to strength, we were delighted to welcome Argentine illustrator Dolores Avendaño as our latest contributor, featuring in the video below:

A graduate of the University of Buenos Aires and Rhode Island School of Design, Dolores is renowned for her work on the Spanish-language editions of J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series.

Dolores was commissioned in 1997 to illustrate the cover for Harry Potter y la Piedra Filosofal (Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone). Given just one week to read the book and complete the illustration, Dolores created the artwork that was used for the Spanish covers until 2014.

Front cover for Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets: https://www.doloresavendano.com.ar

“I used to spend hours contemplating the illustrations in Fairy Tales books” Dolores reminisces of her childhood. “I’d think, when I grow up, I want to illustrate children’s books”.

 Growing up surrounded by mountains, forests and lakes, Dolores found herself enchanted and inspired by nature, deciding at a young age on her chosen career path.

“While I am illustrating I get into whichever world I am creating, immersed in it, trying to figure out what can make it more beautiful, magical and special”.

She has illustrated numerous children’s books, including titles such as Jake Drake, Bully Buster and Los Magos de Oriente. She has illustrated educational texts, such as the Fountas & Pinnell Leveled Literacy Intervention series and recently published her first children’s book as illustrator and writer, in collaboration with Penguin Random House Argentina.

 In addition to being a talented artist, Dolores is an accomplished international ultramarathon runner with an impressive track record behind her.

“In high school”, she explains, “I began to dream about becoming a long distance runner. Whilst running I feel happy with life and thankful for all the good things that surround me”.

At the age of 30 Dolores became the first Argentine woman to complete the Marathon des Sables, a punishing 250 km race across the Sahara Desert. She has also won other endurance races, including the 100 Himalayan Miles and the Mongolia Sunrise to Sunset.

Dolores exploring the hills and trails of the Sacred Valley

Dolores radiates positive energy and is a lover of life, going on to describe particularly inspiring elements that are special to her:

“Contemplating nature, a beautiful sunset, a beautiful tree, an overwhelming mountain landscape, an amazing flower, artwork”.

And so it was that Dolores fitted the bill for Sol y Luna’s Artist Immersion program perfectly.

Hotel Sol y Luna lies in the heart of Peru’s Sacred Valley, its 43 private casitas surrounded by vibrant gardens and awe-inspiring mountains. Through our Artist Immersion program, we invite our artists and creatives to take part in an enriching, eye-opening retreat, offering our guests the chance to envelope themselves in the rich tapestry of the local Andean culture, heritage and artistry.

The Sol y Luna Artist Immersion program embodies our belief in travel as a potent means to touch hearts and transform lives. It aims to encourage artistic creation and storytelling, deepening the connection between art, culture, and nature and leaving a lasting impact on both artists and the local community.

Dolores was deeply moved and inspired by her stay, her resulting illustrations serving as a reminder of the importance of the Sol y Luna Foundation’s mission to provide education, care and support for so many Peruvian children in need.

The Sol y Luna Foundation provides vital love, care and education to children from some of Peru’s poorest communities. Dating back to 1998, it is run by Sol y Luna owner Petit Miribel who moved to Urubamba from France in the 1990s. The foundation consists of the Sol y Luna School, Paqari for special needs support, the Sol y Luna Home, and Roots & Wings for further education.

Describing the whole experience as “fascinating and inspiring” and the Artist Immersion program “incredibly complete”, Dolores was particularly affected by the nature of the Sacred Valley, its archaeological sites and the details and art of the hotel itself.

“A defining moment in my experience was when I first entered my room at the hotel, as well as the visits to the school and children’s home run by the Sol y Luna Foundation“.

 Dolores talks about how she was struck by the craftsmanship and attention to detail within the hotel, its villas, restaurants, ranch and spa.

“When every detail is thoughtfully considered and cared for – as it is at the Sol y Luna Hotel and Foundation – it’s incredibly moving”.

Guests at Sol y Luna are accommodated in private, luxuriously appointed casitas fashioned from local stone, terracotta and adobe brick, surrounded by lush, mature gardens and connected by winding stone paths.

Gastronomy is a top priority, our skilled chefs producing dishes that combine the best of contemporary Peruvian cuisine with traditional Andean fare. The Yacu Wasi spa offers guests a range of treatments, providing the perfect tonic after a tiring day spent exploring the Sacred Valley.

“Nature takes my breath away, especially when I’m in the mountains or on a deserted beach” explains Dolores as she looks back on her stay with Sol y Luna. “It connects me with something deeper, something spiritual”.

To mark the end of her stay, Dolores completed an illustration titled ‘Sol y Luna, A surprising and magical journey’, capturing the essence of the Sacred Valley and her experience here at the hotel.

“I believe the best works of art are those in which the artist has the courage to expose themselves and express what they visualize and feel” she finishes. “In that process, I think it’s very important to be present in the moment. When I’m in nature, I live in the present. When I’m illustrating and connected with my work, I do too”.