I love my studio in Stimigliano, and the genius who lives in its walls is always happy to see me. This week I painted a passel of holiday ornaments and a couple of paintings with her. Although it rained a bit, I ran the heater and lit the candles so it was cozy and romantic. We just spent the week in Stimigliano – we needed to pick up a couple of paintings we sold (we mail from the Roccamalatina area, where we have an honest and dependable shipper). Berlino is not as keen on Stimigliano – he’s on leash all the time. So we never stay too long. |
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 | Photo from our Window in Stimigliano Blair Pessemier |
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| Blair and I took a couple of little trips while we were there (actually 3, if you count visiting friends in Viterbo). We went to the nearby town of Civita Castellana, where we bought two small pieces of pottery. There’s a family in town who makes ceramics in the Etruscan style, using porcupine hairs to etch details, and other quite particular techniques. They are an interesting family, the mother and one or both of the sons sitting in the shop, she chattering on and on about this that and the other thing. We actually went to Civita Castellana to see the ceramic museum (the area is famous for their pottery), but it was closed for the day for work (a leak? ). The walls of Civita Castellana are dotted with sculptural treasures from millennia ago. We stopped by the church, where we saw a most interesting (new-ish) ceramic sculpture of the Holy Family. |
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 | Photo of a Corner in Civita Castellana Blair Pessemier |
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| Two days later we visited Rome, where we walked through the Borghese gardens and visited the Museo Carlo Bilotti Aranciera di Villa Borghese. This museum used to be the orangerie for the Villa Borghese. There is little indication of its former use, save for a fountain on the lower level. It was remade to house works by di Chirico, Warhol, Larry Rivers – all owned by Carlo Bilotti, who funded the renovation. There was a current show by an Italian artist, Sandro Visca, which was quite interesting. Although Blair and I have a more traditional style than any of these, it’s always a shot in the arm to have new, brilliant input. |
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 | Dancing Wolf (for Maypole show) Blair Pessemier Acrylic/canvas 18 x 13w 46 x 33cm 490.00 |
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| Walking around the Borghese Gardens is one of our favorite things. We think we could live alongside the garden, and Berlino could walk and play with the many other dogs there. We put the idea of moving to Rome into our satchel of possibilities as we hop in the car and drive back. |
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 | Potential dog friends for Berlino in the Borghese Gardens |
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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. |
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