On Awakening, Light, and Finding Joy Through Colour
This month, our walls at 2Cookinn are glowing with the latest works from our in-house artist, Isabel Pinheiro. Her new pieces — “Echo of Lights” and “Awakening” — are more than just paintings. They’re a return. A reconnection. A quiet but radiant celebration of life after a pause.
We sat down with Isabel to talk about the story behind these works and her creative journey.
What’s the story behind your latest pieces, “Echo of Lights” and “Awakening”?
“I stopped painting for a few years because of personal and family issues. At some point, I had to decide — do I stay stuck or do I wake up and move on? ‘Awakening’ is about that decision. The moment you choose to live again, to do something instead of just existing. ‘Echo of Lights’ continues that feeling — the brightness, the colours, the sunshine — the reminder that even after dark moments, good things return.”
What emotions or thoughts do you hope people feel when they see your work?
“Joy. Energy. A sense of life. I want my paintings to lift someone’s mood — like spring, like a new beginning. Something that makes you want to do something new.”
What inspires your use of colour and texture?
“I love vibrant colours — orange, yellow, blue. They touch my heart. Yellow is sunshine. Blue is the sky. I often think about the colours of sunsets — the way they shift and glow. They just make sense to me.”
How do your surroundings — Lisbon, life, your mood — influence your art?
“It’s so important to like where you live. When I walk out of my door and see familiar faces, when people say ‘Bom dia’ and ask how you are — it makes me feel part of something. That good feeling goes into my painting.”
What’s your creative process like? Do you plan things out or go with the flow?
“Very spontaneous. I might start with an idea, but things always change along the way. I mix colours and materials freely. The final painting is usually very different from how it began — and that’s part of the fun.”
You’ve been part of 2Cookinn since the start — what does it mean to you to share your art here?
“It feels natural, like the paintings belong here. Angela and I share a love for colour — and she really believes in my work. Sometimes I feel like I’m painting just for this space, and I’m proud of that.”
Any advice for someone trying to reconnect with their creativity?
“Don’t give up. Try again. And again. Keep going.”
What’s next for you as an artist?
“To keep improving my technique, to learn, to grow — and to always keep painting.”
Art That Belongs
Isabel’s paintings, with their joyful tones and optimistic energy, feel perfectly at home in 2Cookinn. And it’s not just because she’s been with us since the very beginning — it’s because her colours, textures, and creative spirit naturally reflect what we try to bring to our space: inspiration, warmth, and a touch of the unexpected.
Her latest pieces — Echo of Lights and Awakening — blend sky blue and midnight tones with blushes of coral-orange, vibrant yellow, and pink. These joyful colours happen to pair beautifully with some of the new arrivals on our shelves: the cheerful Anna G. and Alessandro M. corkscrews by Alessi , whose bold, playful designs echo the same upbeat spirit found in her work.
Whether you drop by for kitchen tools or a dose of creative energy, we hope Isabel’s art adds a little light to your visit — and maybe even inspires an awakening of your own.
