It's Friday

Today I'm working in studio on two pieces I've got up on the easel.  One is a small 8"x10" and the other a 24"x 24" .. both landscapes.  Hopefully I'll make some progress today and then around 5pm head over to our local farmers market.  I am so spoiled to be able to walk up the street every Friday and pick up local produce, jams, breads and organic meat.  Our little village does seem to have it all.

Hope you have a great weekend .... see you Monday

Florence Part II

Someone asked me the other day if I could live in Florence for a year would I?

In a heartbeat .....

There was so much to see in that city and even though we walked all day everyday I feel as if we only scratched the surface.

John and Sierah spent time every morning going over the map ... I'm totally confused when it comes to maps so I stayed out of it.  Judging by the beer at the table I'd say it was early afternoon... we are not known to be consuming vast amounts of alcohol at breakfast....

The second day there we managed to get tickets to the Accademia to see Michelangelo's David.  There is a variety of art within the Accademia from various time periods which we took in but when you feast your eyes upon David it is jaw dropping.  I don't think I've ever been as moved by an artwork as I was by him.  17 feet tall and so unbelievably detailed down to the veins in his arms.  There are no words to describe his beauty.  He is situated in such a place that you are able to walk totally around him to take it all in.  I spent the most time there just marvelling at how something this extraordinary could come from the vision of one man and be scultpted out of one piece of marble.  A masterpiece....
You can view a short video here from you tube...

We ate a lot..mostly pizza which I'm not generally a bit fan of but Italian pizza is a whole other ball game.  So fresh and so simpe it just screams to be consumed and consume I did..

Here we are continuing to photograph almost everything we ate ...tsk..tsk... what tourists!

We also visited The Pitti Palace and Boboli Gardens which were stunning.. you can read more about them here.

On our walk  there we saw a variety of artists selling their work which was mostly watercolour.  John bought a small piece for his office.

We also came upon this fabulous wall in which people had hung frames around their artwork.

So cool

I knew I wanted to purchase something in Italy but I wanted it to be something that totally symbolized what being in Italy meant to me.  Something that resonated and was special.  I had set aside a dollar amount and wasn't willing to go over that.  One day we were walking back from the hotel and we found this amazing little shop complete with a big old dog sleeping on the floor.  It was called Alberto Cozzi and it was a book binding shop.  I spoke with the lady there for quite some time and then I met Alberto who was busy working.  He told me this shop has been in his family since 1908 and they still run it today.  I saw a beautiful leather journal cover and was informed that they would emboss it for me while I waited.  In that moment I knew that was my "one thing"  I journal everyday as well as sketch so it fit me to a tee...perfect in everyway.  I watched as he lit the flame and heated up the letters that make up my name and voila .... like I said perfect in everyway.

Florence was the dream trip of a lifetime for me.  

Art, food and family

Doesn't get any better 

Florence

Florence, Italy is magical.........

I've been trying to think of how best I could describe it all morning long and that's the only word that kept popping up.

It is like no place I've ever been....

We ended up arriving in Italy much later than we intended as we missed our connecting flight out of Germany and had to wait another two hours for the next available flight to Florence.  But we didn't stress and just figured we'd get there when we did.  

View From My Room 

When we finally checked in we couldn't wait to start walking around and walk we did for the next six days.  Florence is known as "a walking city" and that is the only way to truly see it as there are unexpected discoveries to be made down every small alleyway.

I discovered Gelato  

I didn't manage to eat myself through every flavour but that wasn't from lack of trying..

We did the typical tourist thing and photographed out Gelatos ... like that didn't center us out from the locals.

Our hotel was situated right down town alongside the Arno River .. the views were spectacular each and every day.

and night.....

.... Next time ... 

all we saw, all we did and the pise de resistance....Michelangelo's David

Ciao Bella

Just getting my bearings here, settling in and trying to overcome some jet lag after my week in Florence.

Back later today or tomorrow with the run down and lots of pics...

I think I'm still on Italian time...

Arrivedercci

Arrivedercci

See you in a week..........

Things I Love About Summer

Funny Kids

Parades

Stawberry Goat Cheese Salad

Sweet Babies

People Who Make Jam

Finishing A New Painting....

And This Too Shall Pass

Acrylic on Gallery Wrapped Canvas

36"x12"

Here's To You Glen

Last Tuesday my cousin Glen passed away.  I heard the news on Thursday.

He was only 51.

If he were here today I would say ........

The last time I saw you was years ago at another family funeral ... so unfortunate the way that always seems to happen.  We make promises to "get in touch" and  "see each other soon" but it never really works out that way.  Once we get home life just gets in the way.... raising kids, jobs, other relationships, commitments and before you know it ....we simply forget.

I wish I had known you and your family better.  I do know you have two daughters who are close in age to my girls. I know you are married to sweet Lynne and it is she who I can't seem to get off my mind these last few days.  How beautiful and happy she was the day of your wedding ...  I can only imagine her heartbreak now as she journeys through life without her husband and her best friend.  I think of your girls, Victoria and Hillary, and I do understand their pain, having lost my own father, your Uncle Paul at 53 years old.  Far too young

I've spent time this past weekend reading the condolences from your friends and family and they speak of a good man, husband, father and friend.  A man whose life touched others and made their lives all the better for having known you.  And although you are gone far too soon, a man who was deeply loved by all her knew him and knew how to love deeply is a sweet and rich legacy to leave behind.

Yes, a good life indeed.

Here's to you Glen ..................

It's Monday

In a rush as I'm subbing for John's assistant today ..... will post tonight...