Theatre Pompeii Blair Pessemier Acrylic/canvas 13 x 18" 33 x 46cm 450.00
I am having the most wonderful time in Pompeii. Despite a nasty respiratory virus (almost as bad as Covid), we have managed to paint in the excavation every day but one. We also go to outlying beaches so Berlino can dig legally. His take isn’t nearly so fruitful as the treasures of Pompeii, but he digs holes in which he can conceal his whole giant body. From the shore, we admire Vesuvius, Capri, and Ischia which surround us.
Bas Relief, Temple of Isis, Pompeii Laurie Fox Pessemier Acrylic/oil pastel/paper 17.5 x 24" 45 x 61 cm 250.00
I have stepped into some sort of Pompeii trance. We go to the excavation every day, and I know just where Octavius’ house is, and the Vetti’s, the temple of Isis, and the Ampitheater. I feel like I am walking the street with Arianna, and the painters, the restauranteurs and other people from 79AD. It has a sense of “every-man-ness” – although it is clearly Greco-Roman in style, it has a universal quality of where people lived their lives. It is as if time stopped to give me some time to catch up with what’s going on – this is what I have always wished for.
Fountain at House of Octavius Blair Pessemier Acrylic/canvas 16 x 13" 33 x 41 cm 600.00
I have had epiphany moments about art, life, painting, while I've been here, although it could be the cough syrup. You haven’t lived until you’ve had the pleasure (not) of visiting a Neapolitan doctor’s office.
The people who work at Pompeii have made things easy and comfortable for us. We have been taken in as part of the work force. “Would you like to be in that room?” the guard inquires. “Go ahead.” I pass the barrier. “How about a stool?” My favorite Pompeian is the fellow who screamed and yelled at us on arrival (you can’t bring those easels in!). Now he inspects our artwork each day as we leave; blows us two finger kisses as we depart. Everyone wants to see what we painted.
Fallen 2 Pompeii Laurie Fox Pessemier Acrylic/oilpastels/paper 9.5 x 13 " 24 x 33cm 250.00
I think they must have the best job in town – it is clean, orderly in the excavation, everything that greater Naples is not. There are no cars, honking and spewing fumes. The tourists are respectful, happy, manageable. It is such a natural place, no kid-friendly-drive-a-chariot video games, nor coin-pressing machines – it isn’t necessary as kids can run in the street, picture taking encouraged.
Villa Marco Lucrezio sulla via Stabiana Blair Pessemier Acrylic/canas 16 x 13 " 41 x 33cm 450.00
While I was painting in the larger of two theatres, groups came and went. The guide would clap, strongly – my, I thought, he’s rather impolite to his charges. Then another came and did the same. They were clapping to illustrate the deadness of the sound – there was no echo in this stone enclosure. A group of Koreans entered with their guide. Finally, when the whole group was seated in the bleachers around me, the man burst into a beautiful operatic song in Korean. I was touched to the heart.
Grand Theatre, Pompeii Laurie Pessemier Acrylic/oil pastel/canvas 12 x 19.5 " 30 x 50cm 450.00
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.
