Welcome to the first of my Barcelona Faces Behind Facades blogs.

In the next few posts I shall be meeting the people and delving into the stories behind some of the Art Nouveau places in Barcelona that feature in my Barcelona Architectural Portraits collection.

My journey is taking me around the neighbourhoods of the city, to the Modernista (Catalan Art Nouveau) shops, restaurants and bars. These places are part of the city's architectural heritage but they are also businesses that function on a day-to-day level - an important part of their neighbourhoods too.

Each time I disappear into one of these places, I'm transported to another world, often where minimalism doesn't really feature, where there isn't a single surface that isn't taken - woodwork details, floor tiles and shelves filled with products that combine to create a fusion of patterns and layers. Each one of these places holds a story and a journey that brings it to where it is today.

In sharing these stories, I hope to increase awareness of just how important it is that these little treasures continue to thrive, as they have done for generations. They are a crucial part of Barcelona's identity and character.

In the streets of this city, rows of chain stores and fast food eateries catering to tourists are punctuated with one of these small and often family-run establishments. There used to be a lot more of them, but slowly, with rising rents and competition from the big international companies, they are disappearing. These places have grown from their community, and are woven into it - they have an emotional value, not just a monetary one.

In fact, something I noticed that they all have in common is a passion for their neighbourhood and what they offer to their customers, whether it be bread, sheet music or snails.

Inking lines - Fonoll Pharmacy, Barcelona

Casa Beethoven Music Shop

Casa Beethoven Music Shop