| |
There is something magical for me about water. When my eyes look just over the edge of the water, my chin submerged, my perspective on life changes. I can swim forever.
We’ve been swimming in the Panaro river, about twenty minutes by car from our house in Roccamalatina. We can leave at 3, swim, and be home to feed Berlino at 4, his dinnertime. But we both like to stay longer. There is a deep section, where the current runs. I can swim against it, and feel like Jack LaLanne. |
|
 | Searching the Banks Laurie Pessemier Acrylic/canvas 20 x 12" 50 x 30cm 425.00 |
|
| Yesterday, we were there with about twenty others, at least in our section of the river. A group of five young Egyptian men aound a nargilah (hookah) beneath an umbrella , half in and half out of the water. Their guttural tones belied their origins. On our arrival, three of them took their radio, playing Arabic and English songs, and swam to the edge of the dam. They were so thrilled this radio could get wet and continue playing. They lay about in the water, kicking and splashing – good swimmers. They were tan and thin and reminded me of the Tunisian boys who would dive from the pilings of the Punic harbor at Carthage (we lived in Tunisia in 2007/8). They did “funny” dives, competing for the Olympic Medal of Laughter, submerging upside-down and backward, or arching on a side. It was as if Blair and I were in a movie, of sunshine and world peace. All my worries and complaints vanished, and I couldn’t stop smiling. We could have been on the banks of the Nile. |
|
Meditative Chapel "Asea no Longer" proposed sturcture designed by Blair Pessemier -- if you are insterested in sponsoring this project, please contact him: blairpessemier@gmail.com |
|
| It was that kind of day all around: in the morning, an iterant salesman from Biafra, via Padova, came to ply his wares. He talked to us about the evils of politicians, and how Nigeria was a rich country, but politicians and pastors were stealing everything from the people. He was an educated surveyor who sent most of his money (not much seeing as how the renewal of his papers was delayed), to his children, who were studying in University. We bought stainless steel scrubbers and a flashlight we could plug into the car’s cigarette lighter (do cars still have those?). Later in the day, another of that group appeared, from Lagos, and he sold us a bath mat. He just got his papers, via a telephone message, that day, and he couldn’t wait to be able to go back to his work as a car mechanic. Hallelujah! I shouted to peals of laughter. |
|
 | The Weight of the World Laurie Pessemier Acrylic/paper 22 x 22" 55 x 55cm 275.00 |
|
| Sign up for Artnotes by contacting me at lfpessemier@gmail.com |
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
