Berlino (our dog) decided on Wednesday night, to act out. He was angry because we took a day trip,in near 90 degree heat, without him. Feigning the need to go out again after dark, he dashed into the yard after dinner and hid. I went out to find him, and lo-and-behold: FIREFLIES. |
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 | Banda di Castello di Serravalle Blair Pessemier Acrylic/canvas 8 x 20" 20 x 50cm 425.00 |
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| This has been a week of late nights. Last night we heard a 2 band concert in the main piazza here in Roccamalatina. The first band, a jazz group of about 30, played snappy numbers from North America and Europe, with an exceptional performance by saxophone and flugelhorn. Two lovely young women sang. The second band, slightly larger, was more traditional and opened with a John Phillip Sousa march, waking us from our jazzy stupor. They had a fantastic conductor, decked out in a white linen suit, setting off his jet black hair and swarthy, gangly stature. I talked with the woman beside me, from Castello di Serravalle, who had a daughter, a clarinetist, in the group. We had a marvelous time. |
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Our guests of this week had left. I am not sure they would have enjoyed the concert as much as we did, anyway. It was truly local fare, and most of our visitors are set on fulfilling their “bucket list”. But really, the band concert demonstrates the fast disappearing Italian culture. Blair and I are here to witness it. I am brought to the brink of tears by the sincerity of what people do. |
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Sketches at Ravenna Laurie Fox Pessemier Acrylic/cardboard 10 x 7" 25 x 17.5cm 75.00 or 2/100.00 |
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I marveled at the musicians, and wondered how one musters a band in a city of 500 people. It made me want to play an instrument – how social music can be, opposed to the solitude of painting. Once, in Paris, my nephew talked to me about how he could “jam” now, as we sat by the quay of the Seine near some musicians. I think it must be like having another language, on yet another level. Paris had been quite a musical place, with the Fete de la Musique, music all night, all over town on 21 June. |
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 | The Jackdaw Laurie Fox Pessemier Acrylic/paper 17 x 23.5" 43 x 60cm 275.00 |
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Usurped by the impression the fireflies made on all of us, Berlino slinked into the house. His escapade fizzled, our attention drawn elsewhere.
To have three days of conversation, very little about common friends or subjects (we haven’t lived in Seattle for more than 25 years), was thrilling and exhausting. I found it interesting to be locked in conversation, after years of social media. If I don’t want to respond to email, or Instagram, I don’t have to. But when I am face-to-face and someone says something, I must reply. Unless, of course, a firefly passes by. |
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 | Yellow Wagtail Laurie Fox Pessemier Acrylic/wood 13 x 4" 33 x 10cm 150.00 |
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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. |
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