Artnotes: Touch the Sky

 

Terraed Vineyards, Switzerland   Blair Pessemier  Acrylic/canvas  8 x 20"  20 x 50cm   490.00

We are back in Rocca Malatina, where Berlino has scarcely left the yard since our return on Wednesday.   Our trip home was actually the visual highlight of our trip (despite fantastic views EVERYWHERE).  We plugged via Balugani, 73, into the GPS, and just followed. “ Why do you suppose the route has a boat up there,” I asked Blair.  A little more than an hour later, we arrived at the Simplon pass, awaiting a train.  A train!  I thought Simplon Orient Express.  That wasn’t our intended train, actually, but a car train.

Fall Color   Laurie Fox Pessemier  Acrylic/canvas  12 x 12"  30 x 30cm   350.00

“The next train is in 1 hour 40 minutes. You could drive” the nice lady in the window pronounced, just as we were about to pay our 26 euros.  “We will” I replied, as we backed up and followed the signs for Milan.  It was one of our best decisions.  We climbed past 2,100 feet, in a field of golden trees (sparse – we were above the tree line) and moss/grass covered, knobby hills, normally covered with snow.  The road is usually closed from October to May.  The light was extraordinary, and we all looked yellow inside the car.  Waterfalls broke over us, on a partially covered roadway.  This was not a tunnel, but a fabulous alpine highway along the tops of the mountains.  Views were magnificent.  There were no more than 50 houses in 30 miles – all constructed completely of granite, with one or no windows, granite roofs.  A “retreat” house sat, like a miniature, in an open field.  I have never seen any place seemingly closer to heaven.   I felt I had baby eyes, seeing such beauty for the first time.  I hoped it would never end, and had that “be here now” sense.  Of course, it had to end, passing by an old border crossing station.

Light    Laurie Fox Pessemier  Acrylic/oil pastel/canvasboard  8 x 12"  20 x 30cm   350.00

We slipped down into Italy at the other side, like in a movie with a simple ending.   Things looked grey, and a little sad.  It helped me see, for the first time, what was Switzerland.

Fall Flowers in a Can    Laurie Fox Pessemier  Acrylic/oil pastel/paper  16 x 22"  40 x 56cm   250.00

I was surprised not to have eaten more chocolate, and we never ate Swiss cheese (Gruyere, although we passed by the town twice).  The coffee was watery.   But in Switzerland, I felt as though I had touched the sky.

Ready for the next trip

Sign up for Artnotes by contacting me at lfpessemier@gmail.com

INVITING All Artists to present their Work:   Paint, Literature, Crafts, Food.... Pessemier's Sunday Salon Weekly on Sunday  No Reservation Necessary   How it works: Bring a piece of your ART: that could be visual, like painting or printmaking; or literary, as in poetry or prose; or crafts, like metalwork or knitting; or food, or music.  Something you made, or feel particularly inspired by.  You have about 5 minutes to present, and we'll ooh, ahh, or answer questions you have.  You can also come and see how we work before diving in.  Just show up on Zoom at a minute or two before the hour.    No selling, no networking until after everyone has presented. Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88093708954?pwd=M04zNHB4dFZkREp3bThweUd1YnVDZz09