Artnotes: Interesting

 

8 May  2022 Stimigliano, RI   Italia

From Sciacca Harbor   Blair Pessemier   Acrylic/linen   17.5 x 23.5   45 x 60cm  650.00

The other morning, Blair dreamt a passing truck blew a tire, but in fact it was Berlino shaking his ears and jowls.  That animal has made a serious impression on our lives.   He wakes us up every morning with his gyrations.

The Forum   Blair  Pessemier  Acrylic/canvas  12 x 19.5"   30 x 48cm  550.00

On Wednesday, we drove from Roccamalatina to Castiglion Fiorentino, where we have a project to outfit someone’s house, in a simple way, that they might occupy it to execute the final touches.  You can’t go to a house without furniture, or sheets, or towels, or dishes.   There has to be some organization, and that’s what we’re doing.

Salt Pyramids at Nubia (Sicily)  Acrylic/canvas  11.5 x 19.5"   30 x 50cm  550.00 (unframed, frame possible)

We passed by Florence, the nearest big city, without feeling an earthquake, of which there have been two this week.  Just as we pulled into the load/unload site at the edge of Castiglion Fiorentino (it’s pedestrian), our “tire pressure low” light came on.  After we deposited our packages, we returned to the car, no light, all appeared to be well.

Mending the nets at Aspra (Sicily)   Blair Pessemier   Acrylic/canvas  23.5 x 31.5   60 x 80cm   750.00

The car seemed a little bouncy on the way to the used furniture store.  I mentioned we should check the tire just as we rock-n-rolled to the side of the road:  A FLAT.  We hobbled off into a sort of shared dirt driveway with several buildings surrounding.  We unloaded our already-made purchases from the trunk, along with our suitcase.  Just then it started to thunder, and fat raindrops fell on our heads..

Snowy Rooftops Modena   Blair Pessemier  Acrylic/canvas  550.00

Before long a woman with hyena-colored hair appeared from the nearby two story house – you can put your things in this room, she suggested.  Then an older chipmunk-y sort of guy appeared from another house (in fact, everyone in the area had a chipmunk look).  Blair could not get the lug nuts off the wheel, and our assistants couldn’t agree on which direction to turn them.  I called our insurance company, which covers flat tires and towing, and tried to explain where we were. It was here the sidewalk supervisors proved invaluable in directing the towing company to our location.  A tow truck sped by ten minutes later, carrying a Mercedes on its bed.  He screeched to a halt, backed up at a high rate of speed, and let us know he’d be right back.  It was then the woman invited me in, saying I should use the bathroom.  Up a very rickety staircase, she handed me her best towel, directing me past an invalid relative. It was a ramshackle WC, like the rest of the house.   I was touched by her kindness.

On a pedestal (Palermo, Sicily)   Blair Pessemier   Acrylic/canvas  10 x 12   25 x 30cm  350.00

The tow driver pulled up as I got back to the car.  He looked most like a chipmunck, in a younger, cuter way;  I’d say even handsome.  He barked at Blair: brake, no, neutral, forward,,,  Pretty soon, Blair, Berlino and I were aloft on the back bed of the towtruck. With the help of a hydraulic nut-remover at their little garage, they changed our tire to the 50 kph spare – but we were still more than 100 kilometers from our final destination. No good. We then followed the tow truck, which, by this time had remounted the Mercedes on board, to the garage that sold tires.

Ostia Antica (outside Rome)   Blair Pessemier  Acrylic/canvas 10 x 20"  25 x 50cm  450.00

Berlino took all this in stride, although it was clear he was less keen on the car than before.  He was a big hit at the garage, all of the workers taking time out to come to the Sala d’Attessa to introduce themselves and pet him.    As we pulled away an hour later, and our wallet 268 euros lighter, they all waved and yelled in English, “Bye,bye Berlino”.

Italian Countryside (Stimigliano)  Laurie Fox Pessemier  Acrylic/canvas 9 x14" 23 x 36cm 375.00

This week has been extraordinarily hectic.  Not bad, but ever so interesting.  That’s the thing, isn’t it, “interesting times” are not the stable ones, but the challenging, sometimes disastrous, but ever so rewarding times.   Life holds no interest without some adversity; surprise, at least.  It encourages me to go out and do something, and watch for the human kindness that ensues.

In the Borghese Gardens  Blair Pessemier  Acrylic/canvas  16 x 20"  40 x 50cm  475.00

Because someone recently asked me about Italian images, and I haven’t painted all week, I thought I would post a portion of them. Write me at lfpessemier@gmail.com if interested in any

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...you get the picture.  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.    Rome 8PM; NY 2 PM; LosAngeles 11AM  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85625088767?pwd=WldKRk9VbUVITWtRS0FFK2JwdGEwQT09 Meeting ID: 856 2508 8767 Passcode: 887182