Oh Christmas Tree Laurie Pessemier Acrylic/oil pastel/paper 12 x 10 " 31 x 24cm 90.00 (want to use this as your Holiday Greeting? ask for higher resolution. send 20.00 to lfpessemier@gmail.com on Paypal)
Sometimes the anticipation of a trip is better than the reality; but by the same token, a spontaneous trip can be outstanding.
We decided to leave France and come back to the Italian (Ligurian) coast. This was our Christmas trip after all, and I wanted it to end on a happy note. There were virtually no holiday decorations (and those were white) in France – Italy goes hog wild in that department. I found a hotel on the Internet for a more than reasonable price – so reasonable, in fact, I waited to see it before committing. We drove to Diano Marina and pulled up in front of the Hotel Kristall: not bad; good!
The Ladybug Ball Laurie Pessemier Acrylic/oil pastel/paper 12 x 9.5 " 31 x 22cm 90.00 (want to use this as your Christmas Greeting? send 20.00 to lfpessemier@gmail.com on paypal)
All rooms had a beach view from the balcony. There was an elevator. Comfortable beds with real blankets. Heat (set at 22c/74f – we had to open the balcony door). Would you be wanting breakfast they asked. Sure. In fact, we took dinner there, too. There was really very good original abstract art on the walls in the hallways and rooms. Imagine – real artwork.
The hotel accommodated many road workers – those fellows in neon green and orange that repair the byways and tunnels. They were a quiet bunch, surprisingly. And friendly. And because of them the hotel was open – so many places closed until March.
Orange and Green Laurie Fox Pessemier Acrylic/oilpaster/paper 12 x 10" 31 x 24cm 90.00
We took a giant walk along the shore upon our arrival. The waves were unusually large – there’s been a lot of wind. We saw other dogs to greet and play with, including a wolf-dog. We visited with old ladies. As evening fell, every so early, we drove to Cervo to see the lights. From a distance (we were about 3 miles away) they were terrifically blue. Upon arrival, we could see they were, in fact, projected.
Normally, I don’t like those art projection things – so literal, and linear. But these, these were more like big Matisse white doves and stars, on a deep blue background, careening wildly from the top to the bottom of the church, the city walls, the town hall. We walked around and through them – we were the only folks around and it was marvelous. Berlino hadn’t had so much walking in the past five days, and we all felt happy and hungry when we got back to the Kristall.
Pine Cone Ornaments Laurie Pessemier Acrylic/oil pastel/paper 12 x 9.5 " 31 x 22cm 90.00 (want to use this as your Christmas Greeting? send 20.00 to lfpessemier@gmail.com on paypal)
We dove into a wonderful farfalle pasta with saffron and mushrooms – it was a delicious buttery sauce. We followed up with a frittata for Blair and a Valdostana (stuffed pork cutlet) for me. Red wine and chocolate dessert. Bernie awaited us in the room, where I brought him some of my pork.
We slept soundly and happily, visions of sugarplums... After a walk the next morning we drove back to Roccamalatina and bought a string of multicolor lights.
Market umbrellas at Uzes France Blair Pessemier Acrylic/canvas 13 x 16" 33 x 40cm 490.00
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.
