"I don't care how important our visitors are, I TOLD you I have grown!"
A New Season Begins – March 2024
2 years ago
13 March 2009
rich and warm
It has become my practice to spend 30 minutes a day following blog links to share time with other artists. This morning I found the blog of artist and therapist Lani Kent, a blog site so rich and warm.
What a great start to the day!
*****
It is several days since I painted. I am (mostly) over the withdrawal symptons, and suspect that I will get into a space where artmaking seems a long way away. When this happens I find it hard to get back on track again. (Should I have said "back on this particular track?") For this very reason I bought a book I have mentioned before, "Life, Paint and Passion - reclaiming the magic of spontaneous expression" by Cassau and Cubley.
I have just opened it at random, to a chapter heading "Don't trample the flowers". It is a short chapter, and the final sentence in it is "A gardener never tramples the flowers he has planted".
Taking that expression, thinking of art emails and conversations, I venture to say that if a painting is not appreciated for what it is, then maybe it hasn't found the right home. Don't trample the flowers but, if they are at risk or unappreciated where they are, move them to another part of the garden.
Remember that a weed is simply a plant growing in the "wrong" place.
I think, when I have completed my other work, it might be time to paint for process again.
What am I grateful for today? Later, be patient. I'll be back. It's still morning here and I right now I am grateful for endless cups of tea as I procrastinate.
*****
Today I am grateful for the stretchy black tape that enabled a temporary repair of a leaky join in my bathroom plumbing.
.
What a great start to the day!
*****
It is several days since I painted. I am (mostly) over the withdrawal symptons, and suspect that I will get into a space where artmaking seems a long way away. When this happens I find it hard to get back on track again. (Should I have said "back on this particular track?") For this very reason I bought a book I have mentioned before, "Life, Paint and Passion - reclaiming the magic of spontaneous expression" by Cassau and Cubley.
I have just opened it at random, to a chapter heading "Don't trample the flowers". It is a short chapter, and the final sentence in it is "A gardener never tramples the flowers he has planted".
Taking that expression, thinking of art emails and conversations, I venture to say that if a painting is not appreciated for what it is, then maybe it hasn't found the right home. Don't trample the flowers but, if they are at risk or unappreciated where they are, move them to another part of the garden.
Remember that a weed is simply a plant growing in the "wrong" place.
I think, when I have completed my other work, it might be time to paint for process again.
What am I grateful for today? Later, be patient. I'll be back. It's still morning here and I right now I am grateful for endless cups of tea as I procrastinate.
*****
Today I am grateful for the stretchy black tape that enabled a temporary repair of a leaky join in my bathroom plumbing.
.
12 March 2009
a purple balloon
Today...
Nine out of ten fingerprints were successful. They could see that I have tried. Left hand index fingerprint still missing... but I am off the hook, allowed my documents to stay here!
I arrived at 8am to be there early at 8.30am for my 9am appointment to find that I was already second in the queue!
I too stepped out to make phonecalls and take coffee this morning. My cappucino was served with a perfect cocoa heart on the creamy froth.
I found parking everywhere I needed it.
I located the right person and managed to communicate my request for permission to install a permanent "climate appropriate" garden around the New Zealand monument at the Cassino Railway Station.
I refrained from spending too much money on a whimsical towel, and bought one of better quality for less from a street vendor an hour later.
I had a lengthy "real" conversation with the hardware shop man who is always so patient with my descriptions of what I want to buy.
The sun is shining, the snow on the hills glistening (there was more last night) and it is absolutely clear and glorious. Today the sky looks like a New Zealand sky!
I arrived home to see a purple ballon bouncing down the road toward me. When I bent to pick it up the wind took it swirling above me. It's work was not done so it continued on its merry way.
Today I am grateful for answered emails about memorial sites.
Nine out of ten fingerprints were successful. They could see that I have tried. Left hand index fingerprint still missing... but I am off the hook, allowed my documents to stay here!
I arrived at 8am to be there early at 8.30am for my 9am appointment to find that I was already second in the queue!
I too stepped out to make phonecalls and take coffee this morning. My cappucino was served with a perfect cocoa heart on the creamy froth.
I found parking everywhere I needed it.
I located the right person and managed to communicate my request for permission to install a permanent "climate appropriate" garden around the New Zealand monument at the Cassino Railway Station.
I refrained from spending too much money on a whimsical towel, and bought one of better quality for less from a street vendor an hour later.
I had a lengthy "real" conversation with the hardware shop man who is always so patient with my descriptions of what I want to buy.
The sun is shining, the snow on the hills glistening (there was more last night) and it is absolutely clear and glorious. Today the sky looks like a New Zealand sky!
I arrived home to see a purple ballon bouncing down the road toward me. When I bent to pick it up the wind took it swirling above me. It's work was not done so it continued on its merry way.
Today I am grateful for answered emails about memorial sites.
11 March 2009
before
Check back in May or June for "after". I am itching to start, but they are still not ready. This is going to be tempera rather than true fresco. The fresco in the entrance hall (of a family crest, thought to be of a noble family from Napoli) I will touch up only where there are white gaps in the dark surface. It has the date MD XI on it. It was a long stretch back to school and Roman Numerals, but by my reckoning it is 1511. I admit to being hugely relieved when the geometra agreed with me. I wonder if that is a clue to the age of my own house? The house where the beautiful Francesca lives is 800 years old.
energy
Today against predictions it is another beautiful day. The market was bustling with energy, even if people were buying less. Smiles abounded as folk said "spring is here".
It is also a full moon tonight. I appreciate the seasons, the ebb and flow of life, the constant state of change and the potential for excitement. I am concerned that my olive trees have not yet been pruned.
Today I have been looking up Schüssler Salze. I think I am lacking magnesium again. Occasional cramp and tingling nerves... I was blaming too much coffee, but I cut back the coffee and the tingling continues. Tomorrow is fingerprint day... that makes me tingle too! Have they grown back?
As I typed this, thinking it isn't really much of a post, someone called my name. Zacchi was barking furiously.
Today I am grateful for the whistling worker who pops in from time to time with a cheery smile and pockets full of lemons for my tea.
It is also a full moon tonight. I appreciate the seasons, the ebb and flow of life, the constant state of change and the potential for excitement. I am concerned that my olive trees have not yet been pruned.
Today I have been looking up Schüssler Salze. I think I am lacking magnesium again. Occasional cramp and tingling nerves... I was blaming too much coffee, but I cut back the coffee and the tingling continues. Tomorrow is fingerprint day... that makes me tingle too! Have they grown back?
As I typed this, thinking it isn't really much of a post, someone called my name. Zacchi was barking furiously.
Today I am grateful for the whistling worker who pops in from time to time with a cheery smile and pockets full of lemons for my tea.
10 March 2009
secondary colours
I see that there are renewed problems in Ireland. I learnt early that "orange and green make a dirty kakhi". Ireland is a beautiful country, its landscape not unlike many parts of New Zealand. I enjoyed Dublin; people seemed to be smiling and laughing even as they hurried to work. Belfast was interesting, but I felt uncomfortable talking about the Troubles knowing things were not really consigned to history.
When painting I mix my own greens. It is a rare occasion that calls for a purchased green. Viridian, however, is very useful for creating vibrant darks.
Orange and green a tertiary colour make!
Orange and green are the colours on my computer screen that tell me that my family and friends are on-line and ready to chat.
Today I am grateful for little green lights on my gmail, and orange that comes with a 'swooshing' sound on skype. Oh, and all the blues and yellows and reds that make up my palette... giving me every orange and green I could ever wish for!
When painting I mix my own greens. It is a rare occasion that calls for a purchased green. Viridian, however, is very useful for creating vibrant darks.
Orange and green a tertiary colour make!
Orange and green are the colours on my computer screen that tell me that my family and friends are on-line and ready to chat.
Today I am grateful for little green lights on my gmail, and orange that comes with a 'swooshing' sound on skype. Oh, and all the blues and yellows and reds that make up my palette... giving me every orange and green I could ever wish for!
9 March 2009
torn...
I want to read more... this morning I found this post and this post so now I want to delve deeper. More later... I am torn between daily living and philosohical debate. Both are important!
Right now I must see if I have enough Italian to pick up my prescription to attack a solar keratosis. Too long at the computer, pondering rather than doing! Move it!
***
Later: more learning to do...
Helpful dottoressa arranged for my prescription to be written via a hospital so that I didn't need to pay the huge price for it (having already paid a huge price for her consultation). I went to collect it... to find (why was I expecting otherwise?) that there is a heap more paperwork that needs to be done before I qualify for the prescription relief (IF I qualify... in my mind I am asking why should the Italian government subsidize New Zealand sun damage treatments?) And to do that, of course, I have to have my own doctor here. I have seen three different doctors - and been in hospital once while visiting prior to moving - but don't have my "own" doctor yet. I guess it is time...
Now, how do I find out if residence and permesso di soggiorno is enough to qualify for this prescription? Otherwise I will have to cut off the leg to go with the arm that paid for the kind dottoressa.
***
I am thinking of writing here one thing I am grateful for every day.
Today I am most grateful for the sun streaming through my window onto my hands as I type, while a gentle breeze brings in the scents of spring and the birds hold a singing competition in the trees outside. Magic.
Right now I must see if I have enough Italian to pick up my prescription to attack a solar keratosis. Too long at the computer, pondering rather than doing! Move it!
***
Later: more learning to do...
Helpful dottoressa arranged for my prescription to be written via a hospital so that I didn't need to pay the huge price for it (having already paid a huge price for her consultation). I went to collect it... to find (why was I expecting otherwise?) that there is a heap more paperwork that needs to be done before I qualify for the prescription relief (IF I qualify... in my mind I am asking why should the Italian government subsidize New Zealand sun damage treatments?) And to do that, of course, I have to have my own doctor here. I have seen three different doctors - and been in hospital once while visiting prior to moving - but don't have my "own" doctor yet. I guess it is time...
Now, how do I find out if residence and permesso di soggiorno is enough to qualify for this prescription? Otherwise I will have to cut off the leg to go with the arm that paid for the kind dottoressa.
***
I am thinking of writing here one thing I am grateful for every day.
Today I am most grateful for the sun streaming through my window onto my hands as I type, while a gentle breeze brings in the scents of spring and the birds hold a singing competition in the trees outside. Magic.
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