Finally we’ve had a few rain-free, warm days and I’ve started work on my chapel in the back yard. I removed the old tires to the garage. Did you know in Italy we are required to change our tires from summer to winter, and are regularly stopped by the police between 15 October and 15 April for tire checking? People have started to use “all weather” tires a bit more, but up in the hills here, a true snow tire is de riguer, because we get snow and it isn’t always plowed on the smaller roads. |
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 | On a Thin Rope Laurie Pessemier acrylic/paper 11.5 x 8" 29 x 20cm 90.00 |
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It’s amazing what one finds in an old shed – only one scorpion, thankfully, and I didn’t kill him because they eat mosquitoes which were already prevalent. There were at least twenty great big crickets (I took this as an auspicious sign), easily mistaken for spiders, but fortunately I wasn’t over-reactionary. I swept out the bad stuff, but left the crickets.
There is ivy growing through the roof and around the room, which looks quite lovely. It’s not wet in there, and I plan to install a prayer rug we got from Mustafa of Morocco. Originally he said his name was Ali, but then he said Mustafa: I doubt either was true. He doesn’t come by this house like he used to at the other one. I miss the peddlers – a grand collection of immigrants who would keep me up to date from the other side. |
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 | Wild wild Flowers Laurie Pessemier acrylic/paper 16 x 11.5 " x40 29cm 125.00 |
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| I installed a pair of wooden Moroccan window screens, from a Mashrabiya (ladies window). The building, although covered with moss and quite charming looking, is in fact, mostly cement block, with a red tile (and ivied) roof, which makes it hard to drive nails. I am debating my next step: to hang pictures or to glue them to the walls? |
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 | Greek Woman Laurie Fox Pessemier Acrylic/paper 116 x 11.5 " x40 29cm 125.00 |
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Meanwhile Blair weed-wacks (strims?) islands of rich grass and wild flowers in the yard. It’s our goal to have the maximum number of butterflies, so we are judicious in our mowing.
So, you say, is this all that you do, happy hands at home? Yes, as we await our next guest on Saturday, who will want to go here, there and everywhere. I pray I make it through. |
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 | Crouched Woman Laurie Fox Pessemier Acrylic/paper 16 x 11.5 " 40 x 29cm 125.00 |
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| Today is 1 May, Workers Day in Italy. I like working on my project, although the day is to honor workers by not working. Bologna, our closest large city, is the center of the worker’s movement and 1 May is always a big deal there. There was a place in Bologna, when we first moved here (10 years ago, today, but who is counting?)one could by a worker’s lunch in a box, sit and eat it at a long table next to another worker; I am not sure that survived the pandemic. There are numerous other lunch places offering moderately priced food, and a hearty wish for “Buon Lavoro” (good work!) as you leave. Article 1 of the Italian Constitution of 1947 reads: "Italy is a democratic Republic founded on labor." One must be a citizen to work, however, which leaves me chasing scorpions out of my chapel, all on my own time. |
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 | Venus Laurie Fox Pessemier Acrylic/paper 16 x 11.5 " 40 x 29cm 125.00 |
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| NOTES: All of our work is now available as reproductions, on paper, canvas and framed. |
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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. |
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