“[I’d trade] my kingdom for a map”, I tell Blair as we listen to GPS send us down another impossible road. Granted, the town of Spoleto is medieval in its layout, and GPS doesn’t like all this stone. 30 minutes later (spouting “I’m never going anywhere with you again”), we exited the car. |
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Figures Alive 1 , 2 Laurie Fox Pessemier Acrylic/paper 90.00 |
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| We took eight long escalators and then an elevator to arrive at the Rocca Albornoziana, the castle-fortress atop the Duchy of Spoleto. I wanted to see a particular fresco displaying figures against a dark background. I am in constant pursuit of figure painting/drawing inspiration. We had to go up three more flights of stairs to the reception desk, and then another to the fresco. But oh, it was worth it. |
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 | At the Restaurant Laurie Pessemier acrylic/paper 9.5 x 13" 24 x 32.5cm 125.00 |
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| Have you been to Spoleto? It’s the home of a summer festival of music and art, which composer Gian Carlo Menotti started in 1958 (Amahl and the Night Visitors). I do not know anyone who has ever attended it, but whenever we go to Spoleto, I think what a great thing it must be. Art is everywhere, and there a music venues and posters and photographs from festivals past. In fact, I think I could live in Spoleto, but I am not sure how many people actually LIVE there, the festival attracting tourists every summer. |
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 | Painting with Yukie: Dish and Lemon Laurie Pessemier Acrylic/paper 17x 23.5" 40 x 63cm 275.00 |
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| The town itself is marvelous. We’ve been to the cathedral, and walked all around the twisty-turny streets. We hadn’t been to the castle on the hill, so that was our destination. There were bits and pieces from as early as the 5th century, with big concentration from around the 11 century, the 13th and the 15th. We saw great carvings, and interesting metal work – mining was prominent in these hills. I still want to go to the cathedral of St. Salvatore, which claimed many of the Rocca’s remains for its interior; there’s also a Roman amphitheater we’ve not yet seen, underground attractions, and some Roman temples on our list for when it’s not raining. Many future trips remain. |
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| The fresco was terrific, one of many – and many with surprisingly dark backgrounds. We saw frescoes with Berlino’s breed (spinone) of dog from the 15th century. We were the only people there, except for a field trip of bored looking teenagers. I like to imagine the hundreds of years of different people there, from the top dogs to the poor workers. Imprecise stone stairs were taking their toll on my knees this cold day, and I wasn’t carrying a tray or bucket of water. I had to hold onto my hat most of the time against the wind. Like Mary Poppins, many new ideas blew into my head. Trips like these just make me look forward to the next one. |
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 | Girl Laurie Fox Pessemier acrylic/paper 7 x 5" 16 x 13 cm 75.00 |
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| Sign up for Artnotes by contacting me at lfpessemier@gmail.com |
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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. NO POLITICS please.Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 880 9370 8954 Passcode: 886402
Rome 7PM; NY 2 PM; LosAngeles 11AM (NOTE -- we are accomodating the US time change this week ) |
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