Artnotes: Getting There

 

Honey Locust   Laurie Pessemier Acrylic/paper 17 x 25"  41 x 63  290.00  It was a poetic week, with a giant shift from cool weather to hot.  Our chilly spring gave way to summer in a Rocca Malatina  heartbeat.  Blair painted his last iris before they took to wilting.  The red velvet roses climbing up the plum tree are in full bloom – we only realized we had them last year, after we let things go “au naturel”.   My great large begonia is enjoying the shade of our huge pine tree. Illuminated Iris  Blair Pessemier  Acrylic/canvas 9 x 13"   21 x  33cm  450.00 Our yard is rather jungle-like – we strim the grass and worst of the weeds, but otherwise let things go wild.  The branches of my sloe tree are spilling out, waterfall fashion, creating a little green cave below (Berlino can cool down).  The apple tree probably should have been trimmed, but  oh well.   The figs are already “on” and may be ready for picking by early June.  The birds are in love, singing with Billie Holiday as we take our lunch listening to the radio under the pine.  I had 13 birdsongs during our 20 minute walk one day this week.  Begonia  Laurie Fox Pessemier  Acrylic/paper 17 x 12.5"  43 x 33 cm  190.00 The car was broken down for two days this week – for an extra 400 euros the garage “made it right” by replacing a part (after stuffing the gear box with grease the week before for three times that sum).  There’s nothing poetic about that, really, one can only hope for poetic justice:  the mechanic’s car breaking down on a high, scary bridge in another country. Roses on Apple Tree  Laurie Fox Pessemier  Acrylic/canvas   16 x 16"  40 x 40 cm  unstretched 390.00  stretched 550.00 I am reading a terrific book by Polish author Ryszard Kapuscinski: Travels with Herodotus. Kapuscinski is a journalist who reports on India (early 1950s), then China (1957) and finally Africa (until his retirement in 1981).  He carries the book of travels by the Greek historian and geographer, Herodotus (Histories), everywhere he goes.   Kapuscinski has that way of writing (just the facts, ma’am) journalists do.   He frankly announces what a waste of time and resources the Great Wall of China was (they could have better used that human energy and intellect); how a journey is not limited just to the travel, but the planning, and the long time it takes to incorporate all one has learned.  My favorite part of the book is his account of his time in Algeria.  He goes there in 1965 on a tip from an Algerian he meets in Addis Ababa.  When he tries to write his story, although there has been a coup, there are no signs of bloodshed.  Without bullets and broken glass, the journalist is lost; but  Kapuscinski discovers there is so much more to a conflict than the outward signs.   He talks to the mountain muslims and the ocean muslims, uncovering a far deeper story than that of just the event.  In his own reflections, this realization is what made him the incredible writer and journalist he was. Wild Larkspur in Roccamalatina  Laurie Fox Pessemier  Acrylic/ canvas  18 x 13"  45 x 33cm  390 unstretched  550.00 stretched I am always searching for my “epiphany” moment – what will make my work what it should be.   The older I get, the more I can see, and leave behind the fascist neighbor who lectures against fascism,  but embrace the cat lady who loves animals.  I know that mechanic was a crook.   I am trying to see what’s really there.  I have an ophthalmologist appointment on 10 June.    I’m getting there. Near our House  Laurie Fox Pessemier  Acrylic/ canvas  8 x 13"  20 x 33cm  390

HOUSEKEEPING:  We make art to order, including portraits by Blair Pessemier.    Follow us on Instagram @lauriepessemier See all of our paintings at https://paintfox.com Most of our work is available as reproductions, custom sized and framed. Write to me at lfpessemier@gmail.com   sign up for Artnotes, our weekly art missive, by contacting me at lfpessemier@gmail.com or https://mailchi.mp/341f508cecf8/artnotes 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.  No politics, no sales pitches, please. Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88093708954?pwd=M04zNHB4dFZkREp3bThweUd1YnVDZz09 Meeting ID: 880 9370 8954 Passcode: 886402 Rome 8 PM   NY 2 PM; LosAngeles 11AM