In the Uffizi's Courtyard

  October is still a busy time in Florence, and there is ample opportunity to hear some beautiful classical music performed by buskers.   This fellow was part of a 3-person team that entertained visitors almost non-stop.  Every day when we strolled by, either he or one of his team would be playing their instruments, with full orchestration - karaoke style.

Street performers attract the tourist crowds, dressed as angels, or...

...dressed as golden Pharaohs.

We met a charming artist, Carlo Piagentini, hard at work like many others, outside the Uffizi, in the shelter of the courtyard.  The weather was showing signs, to him, that winter would soon be approaching , so by the end of the month he was planning to leave Florence to spend the winter in Argentina.  We just smiled, and strolled away in the warm sunshine with two small artworks that he had wrapped up for us.  You can visit his website at www.carlopiagentini.com to see his lovely watercolours and acrylics.

Looking across the galeria, I noticed a small, tawny-coloured, furry critter laying on the stone step, with a large sign propped against the nearby pillar.  I feared the worst, but as we aproached, we couldn't help but smile.

This little guy was sound asleep, oblivious to the comings and goings of the tourist hordes.

A Tender, Thoughtful Moment

Wherever we travel, we always encounter brief instants that demonstrate the spontaneous kindness of humans.  Grand gestures may be important for media attention, but it's the small,  gentle, thoughtful moments that happen daily that have the greatest impact.  I love the slogan on this young woman's t-shirt, and she certainly lived up to the sentiment.  This scene unfolds at the Galleria degli Uffizi.

   

Florence Morning, Day 2, Oct. 5

Driving a car in Florence would be insane, but driving a scooter would be great fun!  Bonus: parking spots for scooters and motor cycles are free. Parking for cars is restricted.  Glad we have bikes, but for the next few days our mode of transport will be our feet.

 Love and art: what a great combination!



 Happy crowds on the Ponte Vecchio.

 Time for lunch already?  Caruso's Jazz Cafe was inviting, so we rested our feet, quaffed wine, and ate a hearty snack to fortify us for the afternoon.  The glass floor over the river rocks was intriguing, and little sculptures of jazz musicians and singers were tucked everywhere.

Arriving in Italy-Oct.4

Evening rowers on the Arno River.

 We've been back from Italy for more than a week. Getting settled into our regular routine has been a challenge: I'm still mentally in Italy, and plan to remain in that delightful state of mind for quite some time.  Several people have asked: Why Italy?  The answers are many: amazing art, breath-taking architecture, welcoming, friendly people, delectable food, glorious wines, vast landscapes, and hopefully, weather that is kind to two older cyclists.  We experienced all that we could ever have hoped for - and much more.

An example of original artwork adorning the walls of our Trattoria.

 We landed in Florence in the early afternoon, and slowly found our way to our lodgings in a palazzo in the Oltrarno, south of the Arno River.  We planned to stash our bikes for a few days, unwind, relax and enjoy this wonderful city on foot before heading south on our bikes.  The early evening light on the river is truly mesmerizing, and we never got tired of photographing the bridges. More than one person we've spoken to had the same feeling: that the river views were constantly changing, and more beautiful at each turn.  Whenever we got lost, we always headed for the river and inevitably found our bearings.  I can't think of any other place where getting lost was such a joy. 

A piece of artwork that has just sold to an American couple.

Nightfall arrives earlier in the autumn, so we found our way to a busy trattoria near the Ponte Vecchio, and sleepily devoured a pizza.  We couldn't help notice the Tuscan artwork on the walls, and soon realized a young American couple seated next to us were in the process of selecting one of the paintings to purchase.  It is quite common for artists to exhibit, and sell, their work in alternative venues in Italy, and it's encouraging to see an actual sale happen.

The happy art-buyers (foreground) after a satisfying dinner.

.

Strolling "home".

After eating the last crumbs of pizza, and drinking the last drops of Chianti, we walked the streets for another hour, unwilling to admit that we were completely jet-lagged, and that we should head for the comfort of our bed.  But the evening was too beautiful and balmy for that.  Besides, a gelato is mandatory on your first night in Italy, so we had to follow the good folks of Florence to the nearest outdoor gelateria to sample the creamy delight. 

The decorative ceiling of our 400 year old palazzo, our home in Florence.

Yes, we got lost with our melting gelatos in the narrow streets of the Oltrarno, but we eventually found our home-away-from-home, near the Ponte alla Carraia.  Tomorrow, our first full day in Florence.  For now: restful sleep.

Installation of Reflections I and II

Lynda and Tom from Toronto sent this photo of the installation of "Reflections I" and "Reflections II" in their beautiful condo bedroom.  Seeing your artwork in its new setting is gratifying, but a little strange, almost to the point of not recognizing the work as your own.  I hope they will love the work for a long time to come.

Belleville Art Association 1 X 1 Show and Sale



Trickster, Oil/Cold Wax, 12"X12", $100, at BAA Gallery until Aug. 6.




Omen, Oil/Cold Wax, 12"X12", $100, at BAA Gallery until Aug.6.



We have had an amazing response to our One-By-One Art Show and Sale at the Belleville Art Association Gallery this month. Paintings have been flying off the walls!  There are still over 150 works of art to choose from, and all at the reasonable price of $100.  Incredible! 

One-By-One Opening Reception

Cool temperatures in the Belleville Art Association Gallery welcomed many visitors to our first 1 foot by 1 foot art show and sale opening reception.  The walls, and floor area next to the walls, were covered with over 200 "HOT" paintings that all fit the criteria of 12" square, and all for sale at $100 each. The paintings have been flying off the walls!  The exhibition will continue until Aug. 6, so there is still time to snag a beautiful art bargain.

Quinn's Fine Art Gallery - Grand Opening in Tweed

I am very happy to be part of the celebrations happening this Canada Day weekend at Quinn's Fine Art Gallery in Tweed, Ontario.  The beautiful interior of this historic building will be home to a wide spectrum of fine art, including Contemporary Painters, Sculptors, Photographers, and Glass, Wood, Textile, Mixed and Ceramics artists.  Upstairs, the focus is on Historical Painters, including Jean Paul Lemieux, Jean McEwen, Doris McCarthy, Claude Pissarro, Goodridge Roberts and others.

Saturday evening, July 2, 7-9 pm, the celebrations continue with a reception, at which many of the artists will be present.  Congratulations and best wishes to Paul and his staff. 

Contact: (Gallery Hours: 10 am - 5 pm, 7 days a week)

Quinn's of Tweed Fine Art Gallery

PO Box 580

345 Victoria Street

Tweed, ON K0K 3J0

Tel: 613 478 0000

http://www.quinnsoftweed.ca/

Quinte Arts Council's Art in the Community Exhibition

Installation photos of some of my work now showing at Dinkel's in Belleville, as part of the Quinte Arts Council's Art in the Community.  The artwork will hang in the restaurant until the end of June.  Stop in for lunch or dinner, enjoy the ambiance of the dining rooms, and perhaps find the perfect piece of artwork you have been searching for your home or office.

It's a Spring Exhibition at Gallery ArtPlus

Gallery ArtPlus in Belleville has welcomed Spring with a colourful, eclectic show.  Two of the featured artists are Tina Osborne and Valerie Kent.

Tina Osborne

As we huddle indoors by our fireplaces with warm cups of consoling liquids, Tina Osborne has done Mother Nature's job of announcing Spring with a dynamic exhibition of outdoor art panels that remind us of what it will soon look like in our gardens and countryside, once Spring and Summer actually arrive.  Her large wooden panels have been meticulously prepared to receive her painted images, and they have been completely weatherproofed for our Canadian climate.  In additon, Tina will brighten your day with her hand painted silk scarves and fine jewellery.  A certified Reiki Master, all of Tina's work emanates with positive energy.  Visit her website here.

                                       

                                                                               

Valerie Kent

I first met Valerie at an AFAC Conference in Toronto in 2008, where she was a workshop presenter.  I am always struck by Valerie's ingenious use of found materials to enhance her artwork.  The viewer is surprised when upon closer inspection, all kinds of found objects can be found in some of her work: eggshells, tiny glass beads, gold leaf from wrappers that would have otherwise been thrown away.  These materials never overpower her work.  In her understated way, Valerie makes a statement about her concerns for our environment, and at the same time creates images that are joyful yet peaceful.  A dedicated teacher, artists will have opportunities to work with Valerie this summer under the Loyalist College Summer Arts Programme. Click here for more information about these workshops.



Try to make a point to drop in at Gallery ArtPlus, and experience an invigorating, lively art show.



ECOAA 53rd Annual Juried Art Exhibition

Tender Sketch, Oil/Cold Wax
14 " X 11"

A small oil/cold wax piece was recognized at the recent ECOAA Annual Juried Show with the Jeanne-Marie  McAdam Award for Innovative Work.  The exhibit continues at the Shenkman Arts Cenre, 245 Centrum Blvd., Ottawa until April 22, 2011.  Over 140 works of art were submitted, with 89 pieces juried into the show, representing 47 artists.  The centre encompasses a large, modern building, with several gallery spaces, a clay studio, and dance/theatre studios.  It appears to be well appreciated and used by the community, with very friendly hours.



Paintings displayed along the back wall and along the long side wall at the Shenkman.




Continuation of the exhibition, along the wall and under the grand staircase.




Thank you to Linda Sitler Howe for taking the photo. Tender Sketch (r), and Fugue With Confused Square (l)



Validation as an Artist

Ode to Lover, 14" X 11"
Oil/Cold Wax on canvas

All artists, I believe, are appreciative when someone or some organization encourages them in what they do by actually purchasing a work of art.  Emerging young artists, and emerging older artists (like myself!) must get the same thrill when such an event happens in their art-life.  For me, a recent purchase by the John Parrott Gallery in Belleville, a nearby town, has given me a hearty boost.  A small oil/cold wax piece, "Ode to Lover" is now in the gallery's Permanent Collection.  I have to say that I am very appreciative of the recognition, and thrilled to bits.

Evelyn Glennie, Percussion Artist

Five years ago, I saw the documentary film "Touch the Sound", which featured the Scottish percussion artist Evelyn Glennie.  Shortly afterward, I attended a concert she gave at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa.  She inspired me to create a series of clay percussion pieces, using wire for plucking or bowing, glass for chiming, and wooden tuning forks. The clay inself can be struck for resonance.  I loved the idea of producing these varied, unusual sounds.

In Wednesday's Toronto Globe and Mail newspaper, there was a front page feature article and photo of Evelyn in the GlobeArts section. Last night, at Roy Thomson Hall in Toronto, she performed "The Shaman", a new percussion concerto by Winnipeg-based composer Vincent Ho, to open the Toronto Symphony Orchestra's New Creations Festival. How I would have enjoyed being there!

These are some photos of a few of the pieces from that clay series - The Soundscape Sculptures.  The wires stretch across the vessels.  Their tones can be altered using the wooden tuning forks at the rims.  Such fun!

A New Work

River # 9, oil/cold wax on board, 10" X 8". This painting is a small work in the 'River' series. I've posted several 7" X 5" pieces in the series on my Etsy site:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/elementalabstractart

A Chance Encounter

Cliffside - Acrylic/Mixed Media

Today was my lucky day. Not just because I sold a painting, but because I met the purchaser. Let me back up. I belong to a co-op gallery and we take turns working there and greeting visitors. Almost at the last minute, I switched my day with another artist, and ended up at the gallery today, instead of tomorrow. By chance, a visitor from Toronto dropped in this morning, before my shift, saw one of my pieces, went for lunch, then returned to see the painting again, not knowing I would be there. It was meant to be, I guess, and I was very happy to meet the client who would be taking home a piece of my work. That makes the purchase extra special to me. Many thanks to a new art buyer. I hope my work cheers you every day.

Gustave Flaubert - A Dog's Life?

Dance Tunes #4, Oil/Cold Wax

Apparently, the French writer Gustave Flaubert said: "Writing is a dog's life, but the only life worth living" An artist might make a similar statement about making art. I could agree in some respects, except to say that the dogs that I know lead a very sweet life, and not at all hard to take.

However, just for the fun of it, lets expand on Flaubert's notion, and think about the downside of being an artist.

First of all, it can be a solitary, sometimes tedious business. After long stretches of time at work, there is the occasional reward of a fairly decent passage on the canvas, or a particularly expressive section in the clay sculpture. But mostly it's only the artist who recognizes these tiny accomplishments, as there is no one else around in the studio to tell you one way or the other if you're onto something (except the cat, and he's asleep).

Then there can be those long periods of unproductive agony, when you seriously consider taking up some other form of useful employment, such as computer repair. The mere thought of which sends you into spasms of apoplexy, which further freeze your creative juices, sending you staggering to the nearest newspaper to frantically search the "Help Wanted" ads.

Your spirit sinks further, as you constantly doubt that anyone would actually want to trade cash for one of your creations. For weeks you have tingled with excitement as you moved paint around the canvas, or sculpted the finest nose you have ever sculpted. But will anyone else's breath catch with amazement, or their eyes cast a riveting gaze at your work? Will anyone even stop to look?

Worst of all is the panic that sets in when you wonder if you will meet your self-imposed deadlines. Ten months ago it all seemed possible, with plenty of time to spare. Now you are down to the last few days before your solo show and you're wondering if the paint will dry in time, or if the kiln will break down just before your final firing, and Lord knows it takes two weeks for replacement parts to arrive!

And all this couldn't matter less to the rest of the world - it only matters to you. That's the reality. And that's why we are artists.

Next post: I'll take the dog's life, or why it matters to me.

Harvest Moon

To celebrate the beautiful full moon (or nearly) tonight: "Luna of the Lake", oil/cold wax, multiple wood panels, 24" X 22". We have been blessed with a spectacular autumn in Ontario!