| |
The days I feel the most part of the community and the least part of the community are holidays. We just celebrated Ferragosto this Thursday, the 15 August. It is the pagan holiday of August, and accordingly there are parties, and dinners, dances and (usually, but not this year) fireworks. We go to the big tent by the ball field here in Roccamalatina, and people say hello, love our paintings, etc. We eat Tortelloni, and watch the kids dance, and exchange so many greetings and smiles. |
|
 | All the Colors Blair Pessemier Acrylic/canvas 24 x 16" 60 x 40cm 525.00 |
|
| The next day we celebrated the return of the Mary statue to the old Church, now that she was “assumed” into heaven (also on the 15th). A procession carried her from the downtown church to the church in the park. Try as I might, I cannot hop on board that religious bandwagon. I think it’s a shame, because I like the idea of religion, and live by many of the principles I learned at St. Anthony’s School (not the belief we were superior to Jews, Hindus and Lutherans. Muslims were not even mentioned). Later, when I attended Gilbert high school, Catholics were not allowed to have administrative positions, and had only been accepted as teachers a few years earlier. But that’s politics, no? |
|
 | The Magic Apple Laurie Pessemier Acrylic/paper 17 x 24" 43 x 60cm 275.00 |
|
On Wednesday we swam in the river with the unblessed. The thermometer read 102 in the shade. I avoided stepping on what was once a charcoal fire. It is completely pandemonium here at the Ganges, er, Panaro, although safety tape has been hung near the water to prevent cars from driving in. One has to take responsibility for one's self.
One man was pushing another up and out of the water, while another pulled on his arms. He was clearly a non-swimmer, and he’d stepped off into the deep end. He huffed and puffed through his moustache, acting as if a sea monster were pulling on his way-too-baggy grey shorts. |
|
 | Bowl of Plums Blair Pessemier Acrylic/canvas 12 x 12" 30 x 30cm 375.00 |
|
A group of Indians (or Bangladeshi) were shivering by the shore complaining about the water being cold. Women had those beautiful deeply intense eyes, and men sported pot bellies and skinny legs. A man in a Indian print wrap skirt carried a sleeping baby, all splayed arms and legs dressed in a bright yellow t-shirt..
A Moroccan family trying to topple a stone tower gave credence to the saying one couldn't hit the broad side of a barn. I wanted to tell them how to concentrate but they seem pleased the game never ended. |
|
 | Room at the Table Laurie
Pessemier Acrylic/canvas 19.5 x 12" 50 x 30cm 475.00 |
|
| I’ll spend the next few days, while the water settles after Thursday's rain, working on my computer projects. I have to recall the charm of the river, where life is beautiful and there is no pay wall. |
|
| 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.
|
|
|
|
