That translates as a casual hello from where I write in beautiful Italy.
To be more specific, I'm in Cortona in the magnificent Tuscan hilly home of dear friends… having been welcomed back again.
Where would artists be without their dear friends and patrons?
While Theo and I take an annual break and I gather some new sketches in Italy, friends back home are managing Queenscliff Gallery (QG), my exhibition Passaggi: A Painted Season and our curly haired hound, Olive.
We couldn't be more fabulously bookended by our friends right now. And the Tuscan environment couldn't be more invigorating – sun, scenery and the best sustenance.
After a few days settling in and some time for pelvic adjustment which I happily report as not being so problematic (but still frustratingly limiting), we were dropped at the Basilica at Santa Margherita so we could walk through beautiful Poggi to Cortona's town centre in search of scenes to sketch.
In front of Santa Margherita, Cortona
Santa Margherita, Cortona – Credit: Alessandro Farese
Walking down through Cortona from Santa Margherita.
And I found some!
I could find inspiring scenes to sketch all day. With great thanks to Theo who manages the media and carries all my materials, I've mastered a routine that leaves time for an espresso and gazing in the piazza.
I prepare my canvases for these trips by pre-cutting them to size (something Theo thought of a couple of years ago on a Venice trip). I under-paint the linen with a warm colour so my sketch isn't painted over when I get back to the studio and begin developing the work.
I've been optimistic bringing 16 pieces of linen with me. But honestly, I could walk and sketch all day were it not for the pelvic alarm clock that yells; 'it's time to move', 'it's time to sit', 'it's time to walk', 'it's time to nap', 'it's time to get back to base', controlling my days – and Theo's!
But we manage. And we manage very well. Just look where we are and what we're managing to achieve.
Exploring Cortona
La Loggetta, in the main Piazza, Cortona
Sketching in Cortona
Cortona
The world’s best husband
The world’s best husband
Sketching in a scene, Cortona
So the days ahead are planned for more eating, drinking, increasing the Vit D levels, some napping and much observation.
But there's a new thing I'll be doing too – re-observing! What I mean is, I'll be stepping back into the scenes I've painted and that are currently showing at QG. It feels great – more than great actually, but I can't quite articulate what's so thrilling about it.
If I had time to paint the scenes I'm revisiting again, I would – what a fab experiment that would be.
I thought this would be a great experience for you too. As a follower of my work you have the opportunity to view completed works while I begin new ones in Italy.
If you can get to QG, it would be even more interesting for you to stand in front of my works knowing I'm in that very location. We'd almost be in the same place at the same time (perhaps visit after 2pm so I'm awake on this side and a reminder the gallery is open Fri – Mon until we return).
And after more eating, drinking, increasing the Vit D levels, some napping and much observation and re-observation, I'll be pondering what to do with the fabulous details I come across on my travels.
I'll report again soon. For now, arrivederci, grazie e tanti baci.
