Artnotes: From the Ruche

 

Sprung   Laurie Fox Pessemier  Mixed Media on Paper  25 x 17"  63 x 41cm  425.00

We went to an art show this week.  That didn’t used to be such big news, but this is the first major show we have been to since February.   We saw a collection of Chagall's work, almost none of which we’d seen before.  Most of the art was from Russia.  There were no photos of these paintings, drawings or mixed media work. I tried to memorize. A small collage (from 1980) inspired me greatly.

Apennine Landscape  Blair Pessemier  Acryic/canvas  23.5 x 31.5"    60 x 80cm   600.00

It wasn’t as easy to go to this event:  we needed to buy tickets online.  Then we need to fill out paperwork in case anyone who happened to be at the show during our time (10:20 was our entry) got sick, we would be contacted.  Then, we had to go upstairs and have our phone looked at for our reservation, then disinfected.  Then we could go in.

The Pest   Laurie Fox Pessemier  Mixed Media on Paper  25 x 17"  63 x 41cm  425.00

In the Palazzo Roverella in Rovigo, there are never enough spectators to fill a room.  I understand at the Raphael show in Rome, a whistle is blown and everyone changes rooms.  As it was, the guards stayed close to us.   I was still able to go backwards – when I visit an art show, I am often attracted to something off the track, then have to return; or I want to compare dates on the chicken-headed postman and the flying fellow in the last room.  I could circulate.  The bookstore was difficult.  I touched a pamphlet, and immediately had to be sanitized.   I should be glad for all of this; despite a small uptick, Italy remains the least infected country in Europe now.

Lying in Cage  Blair Pessemier  Acrylic/canvas  19.5 x 27.5"    50 x 70cm   500.00

It’s getting cold up here in Roccamalatina.  Blair is freezing every morning, and I am cold at night.  Harika is bulking up with fur.  We will stay here until 16 October, anyway – our papers need renewal.  We are walking every other day, a good distance, to try to regain our health which was compromised over the months of inactivity.  The apples and chestnuts are falling from the trees; I don’t even mind walking in the rain, I feel much healthier.

Three Italian Hens (plus chicks)  Laurie Fox Pessemier  Mixed Media on Paper  25 x 17"  63 x 41cm  425.00

Chagall lived in many places during his long life (97 years).  He was born in Russia, lived in France (had French citizenship) most of his life, spent some time in the USA.    In a wonderful little movie made in France in the 1960s, he talked about how in his earlier years, he and his artist friends loved living in their little garrets (he called them “ruches” = hives).  This movie was in French, and I was surprised how comforted I was by the language, with Italian subtitles.   He and his artist companions didn’t really care so much about selling their art, but it was the making and enjoying and connecting to people who liked their work that mattered.  And it made me think how it really is like that.

Dragonfly  Laurie Fox Pessemier  Acryic/canvas  9.5 x 12"    24 x 30cm   400.00

INVITING All Artists to present their Work:  Pessemier's Sunday Salon Sunday, 8:00 – 10:00pm Rome; 2:00 PM New York; 11 AM Los Angeles https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85625088767?pwd=WldKRk9VbUVITWtRS0FFK2JwdGEwQT09 Description:Laurie Pessemier is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting. Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85625088767?pwd=WldKRk9VbUVITWtRS0FFK2JwdGEwQT09 Meeting ID: 856 2508 8767 Passcode: 887182 If you would like to remote paint with us, sign up on www.pessemierworkshops.com