Artnotes: Singing Along with Billie Holiday (and an addenda to last week)

 Last week, the final paragraph of Wild Water was lost.  I am writing it here:

On our morning walk with Berlino (7 am) I watch an Italian man tending his grapes.  He is older, sinewy, skin the color of polished wood to match his brimmed straw hat.  Baggy grey green trousers and an oft-washed short sleeve shirt make him look like the “grubby old men” I refer to at the café.  He inspects his vines holding the bud in a surprisingly tender gesture.  It is as if he is one with his plants, his land, his scorching sun.  I have never really experienced that feeling, except sometimes in the water.  I lived most of my life near asphalt, concrete and painfully cut grass (who thought of that anyway?).    At least in wild water (not pools) I am one with something real, touching me all over.  I love that.

ARTNOTES:  SING ALONG WITH BILLIE HOLIDAY

Terra Cotta Girls Playing Football  Blair Pessemier  Acrylic/canvas  32 x 21.5"  80 x 54 cm  490.00 This is the visitor season at our house.   It’s not very exciting here, in the Florence-Rome kind of way, but if singing birds and lovely views are your cup of tea,  you’ve come to the right place.  It’s heaven for hikers.   Cherries on a White Dish   Laurie Fox Pessemier  Acrylic on Paper 8 x 11"  20 x 28cm  150.00  This last week we went up to the Ginevra Ristorante for a dinner – they have an outstanding deck which juts out over a dramatic vista of mountains and fields.  There is a fabulous Neapolitan pizza chef, and open fire for grilling, and depending on the day, pretty good desserts.  This week, we had a strawberry/whipped cream affair, with the thick buttery cream on the bottom, and fresh strawberries on top (it’s the season).  Our guest is still talking about it on her continued itinerary through Paris.  The next day, we decided to visit the cows who produced that outrageously good cream – they live in Rosola, at the parmigiano factory.   This Parmigiano cheese has been repeatedly named the best in Italy.  The white, Modenese cows, an ancient breed, produce a particularly rich milk.   We pick up some freshly made yogurt with blueberries for breakfast, and a tub of ricotta. Cherries on a Chinese Dish Laurie Pessemier  Acrylic/paper  25 x17 "  61 x 43 cm  290.00 We drove on to Verucchia, where there is a pilgrim church and a view out to Montalbano, a small town famous for its nativity scenes, tucked into the hill.  This is Saturday, and there’s a makeshift sort of restaurant in operation with outdoor picnic tables (“no first course, no second course, no dessert” he tells us).  They serve local specialties like Borlenghi (papery crepes), Crescentini (a biscuit bun) and fried Gnocchi – one tops these with preserved meats (prosciutto, coppa, salami) and cheeses and a lardy pork spread.   It is amazing people here still live to be 100 years old.  The owner recognizes us (you’re from Roccamalatina!) and gives us a choice seat, with umbrella. Shoemaker  Blair Pessemier  Acrylic/canvas 24 x 20"  60 x 50 cm  590.00 Of course, I forgot to mention the Sassi, the National Park we border.   Here you can find those giant rocks (sassi) one associates with the background of the Mona Lisa.  The restaurant there has been closed and nature has already started to reclaim the property.  It’s not such a shame, really, although watching the sun set from the deck over vodka tonic was always nice.  The trees and foliage this year are ferocious, after a wet spring. In a rare escapade, Blair takes our friends to Guiglia market on Sunday, and they climb to the top of the castle.   From up there, you can sometimes see the Alps.  On the way to the Airport, we stop to see Castelnuovo Ragone.  Blair finds inspiration in the shoe repair man, and one of the many terra cotta bas reliefs around town and paints them this week.  Even though people say, we’re just coming to see YOU, really they plan on us taking them someplace.  This is OK, as long as they understand:  we are feeble, poor as church mice and rarely drive at night.  We have a 15 year old clunker of a car.  Our priority is ART.   We paint daily when guests aren’t here.  We serve  dinner in the backyard, where the birds sing along with Billie Holiday. Two more Immortals

HOUSEKEEPING:  We make art to order, including portraits by Blair Pessemier.    Follow us on Instagram @lauriepessemier See all of our paintings at https://paintfox.com Most of our work is available as reproductions, custom sized and framed. Write to me at lfpessemier@gmail.com   sign up for Artnotes, our weekly art missive, by contacting me at lfpessemier@gmail.com or https://mailchi.mp/341f508cecf8/artnotes 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, no sales pitches, please. Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88093708954?pwd=M04zNHB4dFZkREp3bThweUd1YnVDZz09 Meeting ID: 880 9370 8954 Passcode: 886402 Rome 8 PM   NY 2 PM; LosAngeles 11AM

Artnotes: Wild Water

 

Montecorone   Blair Pessemier  Acrylic/canvas 24 x 16"  60 x 40 cm  490.00  … I was beginning to see how the moment we incline action toward achievement, we drain the activity of joy; how anything we approach transactionally will never yield transcendence. I stopped swimming abruptly, disaffected and worn out. It would take me a quarter century to return to the water… from Waterlog by Roger Deakin And that, as well, was the rub for me, for many years. In Art School, I didn’t want to paint what I was told to paint, what I was expected to paint.  I was young and unguided, wild as water.   It made me change my college major from Art to Art History.  When I removed that pressure I felt free to be creative again. Morning Song     Blair Pessemier  Acrylic/canvas panel   12 x 16"  30  x 40cm  350.00  I think about art school as the “leader” intends to pull the plug on loans and aid  for pursuing advanced degrees in the arts  at American colleges – it is like China in 1948.  Our friend Gengivan  left in that year, when Mao prohibited her further study of the piano.  She eventually opened a Chinese music center in Rambouillet, outside of Paris. Art is so important in our lives, it is a real privilege to be producing it.  Now that I am older, I let myself go with whatever I feel like painting.  Honeysuckle  Laurie Pessemier  Acrylic/paper  25 x17 "  61 x 43 cm  290.00 We played pool today at the Chinese café.  The Immortals weren’t with me, and I scratched when down to just two balls.  It’s a poor pool table, and the price is a far cry from the 25 cents a game the last time I partook.  We are going to go back.  Pool is one of those physical activities one needs to assimilate after practice. I think competitive sports are one of the things you MUST love to keep on playing and trying.   Like most things, it is those early days that are the greatest.  I remember the Catcher for the Torrington Twisters  telling us as we painted him, “I get to PLAY all summer”.  I learned a lot from that painting foray.  Although art and baseball are quite different, we both shared the passion for our work “ I don’t care who wins or loses, I just love the game.”  Georgetown House  (Seattle)   Blair Pessemier  Acrylic/canvas panel 12 x 16"  30  x 40cm  350.00 My father, who was a remarkable runner (shoe manufacturers sent him models to try out) never wanted to compete.  Despite being invited to the Boston Marathon year after year, he declined.  He just loved to run. Dotty Dog   Blair Pessemier  Acrylic/canvas panel 10 x 12"  25 x 30cm  250.00 On our morning walk with Berlino (7 am) I watch an Italian man tending his grapes.  He is older, sinewy, skin the color of polished wood to match his brimmed straw hat.  Baggy grey green trousers and an oft-washed short sleeve shirt make him look like the “grubby old men” I refer to at the café.  He inspects his vines holding the bud in a surprisingly tender gesture.  It is as if he is one with his plants, his land, his scorching sun.  I have never really experienced that feeling, except sometimes in the water.  I lived most of my life near asphalt, concrete and painfully cut grass (who thought of that anyway?).    At least in wild water (not pools) I am one with something real, touching me all over.  I love that.

HOUSEKEEPING:  We make art to order, including portraits by Blair Pessemier.    Follow us on Instagram @lauriepessemier See all of our paintings at https://paintfox.com Most of our work is available as reproductions, custom sized and framed. Write to me at lfpessemier@gmail.com   sign up for Artnotes, our weekly art missive, by contacting me at lfpessemier@gmail.com or https://mailchi.mp/341f508cecf8/artnotes 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, no sales pitches, please. Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88093708954?pwd=M04zNHB4dFZkREp3bThweUd1YnVDZz09 Meeting ID: 880 9370 8954 Passcode: 886402 Rome 8 PM   NY 2 PM; LosAngeles 11AM

Artnotes: Eight Immortals

 

My first Immortal (in progress)     Han Xiang Zi Almost every day, we go to the Chinese café in Roccamalatina for coffee and pastry.  Roberto and Lisa greet us.  We briefly discuss the weather – it was in the high 90s (38c) this week (in May!).  Blair and I tried to swim in the river, but the current, vicious with rapidly melting snow from Monte Cimone, felt like it would carry us away.  At the café, we choose between a cornetto or nut pastry – not exceptional, but adequate.  In any case, there is just something I have always liked about going there.  Maybe it’s the feng shui, or the fact we can sit in the window as long as we like and Berlino (sadly) barks at passing milk trucks.  I slip into some Chinatown fantasy when I arrive.  Lately I have been thinking about the Eight Immortals. Spring on a Black Backgroun     Laurie Fox Pessemier  Acrylic on Paper 17 x 12"  43 x 30cm  230.00  Blair and I associate the Eight Immortals with the Chinatown bank in Seattle.  Ben Woo, the architect Blair first worked for after college, designed that bank and commissioned the Eight Immortals ceramic sculpture (by Chinese artist Fay Chong).  It was the first Asian owned bank in the United States, founded in the 1960s.   Blair and I spent many a date in Chinatown, eating with chopsticks and watching  black-and-white Ninja and Samurai movies at the Kokusai theatre. Local Hare  Laurie Pessemier  Acrylic/paper  25 x17 "  61 x 43 cm  290.00 I love the idea of the Eight Immortals, some human, some fantasy, who represent different qualities and aspirations.  They were individual “saints” from the 6th century or so, who were united as the Eight Immortals during the Jin Dynasty (12th century).  They are rather surprising individuals, like Zhang Guo Lao, who is an emblem of the elderly, facing backward on a white mule that can be folded up like a piece of paper and reconstituted with water.  Or there is Lan Cai, the hermaphrodite who can make flowers bloom; or Li Tie Guai, the iron crutch, who lost his body and had to take that of an old broken man, hence the crutch.  Today, I started to paint Han Xiang Zi, who plays a flute to promote growth and calm animals. Peonies Laurie Pessemier  Acrylic/canvas 19.5 x 11.5"  50 x 30cm  450.00 The idea is to paint these figures on cheesecloth, so they wave in the breeze. I had to buy a roll of gauze 64 meters long, from China, via Amazon (who could get it to me in just 5 days (instead of 2 months) for an extra 10 euros).    The figures float on the air outside; or swish, when a door opens.  They are physical, not digital – they make no sense online.  They aren’t a cheap AI item.  They are about life size and move like ghosts, or spirits.    The paint holds them together.  I am just starting but I kind of like this idea already.  Stay tuned. Little White Flowers  Laurie Fox  Pessemier  Acrylic/paper 10 x 17"  25 x 43cm  190.00

HOUSEKEEPING:  We make art to order, including portraits by Blair Pessemier.    Follow us on Instagram @lauriepessemier See all of our paintings at https://paintfox.com Most of our work is available as reproductions, custom sized and framed. Write to me at lfpessemier@gmail.com   sign up for Artnotes, our weekly art missive, by contacting me at lfpessemier@gmail.com or https://mailchi.mp/341f508cecf8/artnotes 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, no sales pitches, please. Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88093708954?pwd=M04zNHB4dFZkREp3bThweUd1YnVDZz09 Meeting ID: 880 9370 8954 Passcode: 886402 Rome 8 PM   NY 2 PM; LosAngeles 11AM

Artnotes: Getting There

 

Honey Locust   Laurie Pessemier Acrylic/paper 17 x 25"  41 x 63  290.00  It was a poetic week, with a giant shift from cool weather to hot.  Our chilly spring gave way to summer in a Rocca Malatina  heartbeat.  Blair painted his last iris before they took to wilting.  The red velvet roses climbing up the plum tree are in full bloom – we only realized we had them last year, after we let things go “au naturel”.   My great large begonia is enjoying the shade of our huge pine tree. Illuminated Iris  Blair Pessemier  Acrylic/canvas 9 x 13"   21 x  33cm  450.00 Our yard is rather jungle-like – we strim the grass and worst of the weeds, but otherwise let things go wild.  The branches of my sloe tree are spilling out, waterfall fashion, creating a little green cave below (Berlino can cool down).  The apple tree probably should have been trimmed, but  oh well.   The figs are already “on” and may be ready for picking by early June.  The birds are in love, singing with Billie Holiday as we take our lunch listening to the radio under the pine.  I had 13 birdsongs during our 20 minute walk one day this week.  Begonia  Laurie Fox Pessemier  Acrylic/paper 17 x 12.5"  43 x 33 cm  190.00 The car was broken down for two days this week – for an extra 400 euros the garage “made it right” by replacing a part (after stuffing the gear box with grease the week before for three times that sum).  There’s nothing poetic about that, really, one can only hope for poetic justice:  the mechanic’s car breaking down on a high, scary bridge in another country. Roses on Apple Tree  Laurie Fox Pessemier  Acrylic/canvas   16 x 16"  40 x 40 cm  unstretched 390.00  stretched 550.00 I am reading a terrific book by Polish author Ryszard Kapuscinski: Travels with Herodotus. Kapuscinski is a journalist who reports on India (early 1950s), then China (1957) and finally Africa (until his retirement in 1981).  He carries the book of travels by the Greek historian and geographer, Herodotus (Histories), everywhere he goes.   Kapuscinski has that way of writing (just the facts, ma’am) journalists do.   He frankly announces what a waste of time and resources the Great Wall of China was (they could have better used that human energy and intellect); how a journey is not limited just to the travel, but the planning, and the long time it takes to incorporate all one has learned.  My favorite part of the book is his account of his time in Algeria.  He goes there in 1965 on a tip from an Algerian he meets in Addis Ababa.  When he tries to write his story, although there has been a coup, there are no signs of bloodshed.  Without bullets and broken glass, the journalist is lost; but  Kapuscinski discovers there is so much more to a conflict than the outward signs.   He talks to the mountain muslims and the ocean muslims, uncovering a far deeper story than that of just the event.  In his own reflections, this realization is what made him the incredible writer and journalist he was. Wild Larkspur in Roccamalatina  Laurie Fox Pessemier  Acrylic/ canvas  18 x 13"  45 x 33cm  390 unstretched  550.00 stretched I am always searching for my “epiphany” moment – what will make my work what it should be.   The older I get, the more I can see, and leave behind the fascist neighbor who lectures against fascism,  but embrace the cat lady who loves animals.  I know that mechanic was a crook.   I am trying to see what’s really there.  I have an ophthalmologist appointment on 10 June.    I’m getting there. Near our House  Laurie Fox Pessemier  Acrylic/ canvas  8 x 13"  20 x 33cm  390

HOUSEKEEPING:  We make art to order, including portraits by Blair Pessemier.    Follow us on Instagram @lauriepessemier See all of our paintings at https://paintfox.com Most of our work is available as reproductions, custom sized and framed. Write to me at lfpessemier@gmail.com   sign up for Artnotes, our weekly art missive, by contacting me at lfpessemier@gmail.com or https://mailchi.mp/341f508cecf8/artnotes 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, no sales pitches, please. Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88093708954?pwd=M04zNHB4dFZkREp3bThweUd1YnVDZz09 Meeting ID: 880 9370 8954 Passcode: 886402 Rome 8 PM   NY 2 PM; LosAngeles 11AM

Artnotes: A Joyful Kitchen

 

Dishing up Dessert Blair Pessemier Acrylic/canvas 13 x 8"  33 x 20cm  490.00  The cart rolled across the dining room, pushed by a white-jacketed waiter.  “Bollito Misto”, I exclaimed to Blair.  Bollito Misto is a long-cooked assortment of meat in boiling broth. One of the men at a nearby table was having it for lunch.  The waiter raised the lid and placed on the shelf below.  Then he swung the lever which brought the selection of meats up from beneath the broth bath.   Beef tongue, an entire capon, cotechino (a ground pork sausage), a beef roast,  and testa di vitelli  appeared.  Two slices were cut from each item, with broth, and presented on a large platter before the diner.  Mashed potato, mostarde (a sweet/spicy red sauce) and salsa verde were placed on the table. We three decided to share the same, with an order of tortelli in brodo with bufala cheese; abalazione di mortadella (green pasta stuffed with mortadella in a truffle/parmigiana sauce).   We were at the quintessential Bolognese restaurant:   Diana.  It was heavenly. Still Life with Candles Laurie Pessemier  Acrylic/paper 17 x 12"  43 x 30cm  190.00 We had a guest this week, perhaps our best guest ever.  She is from North Carolina, which is the region of best guests, if I do say so myself.  Our North Carolinan friends love to eat, make no judgements, are keen to do almost anything.   We, unfortunately, were probably not the best hosts, because our car broke down and we rented one, while I drove a neighbors standard-transmission elderly compact to the rental agency in Bologna.  Of course, my knee gave out and I hobbled around for two days, seriously delaying the tour-cart. A Fencepost on the Montecorone Tour Our guest was on her way to an art event in central/eastern Italy.  We didn’t get to paint together in her short 48 hours, but she had appreciation for the same sorts of sights that we did.   I made food, which of course didn’t hold a candle to chez Diana.   I made porkchops in a mustard/cream sauce with sweet roasted peppers and carmelized onions on the side – potatoes “ecrasse” (lightly mashed) on the side.   Blair made Marcella Hazen’s eggplant parmesan, always a hit. Did I mention the dessert?  (that's Blair's painting at the top)The waiter brought out an aluminum tub of homemade vanilla gelato.  It was perfectly frozen, not too hard, not too soft, simply unctuous – it could hold up a cookie.   He took out an elegant little ladle, dipped it into the beautiful container of preserved cherries and drizzled them over the top.   Everything here was local. Wild Rose  Laurie Fox Pessemier  Acrylic/paper 17 x 12.5"  43 x 33 cm  190.00 We live in  “la grassa” region of Italy, “the fat one” on account of our rich, delicious, culinary history.   Blair and I rarely go out to eat, but when we do, we enjoy ourselves.  Our guests often want to go out, and we try to bring them to an exceptional place.   Diana was the best one, ever. The Ice Cream Man taking our Photo The surroundings and the staff are equally important as the food.  If the staff is happy, accommodating, it’s likely the kitchen staff is, too.  I can taste if the people who make the food are glad to be working there.   That ice cream man at Diana’s must be a jolly sort.   When I lived in Paris, I could always tell the attititude of the baker by the quality of the croissant.  Unhappy cooks make lousy food.   This was a joyous kitchen.  Ours, too.

HOUSEKEEPING:  We make art to order, including portraits by Blair Pessemier.    Follow us on Instagram @lauriepessemier See all of our paintings at https://paintfox.com Most of our work is available as reproductions, custom sized and framed. Write to me at lfpessemier@gmail.com