Dear Art-Loving Friend,
My father once suggested to me that I “go ahead and get this Europe thing out of my system and come back to live in the States.” I think he has turned into my grandmother. She worried constantly. But that was years ago and while I still have not worked out how to have permanent residence here in Italy, and my life is in limbo, I think I have convinced those who care about me that I am not finished with Europe.
One of the perks that is difficult to argue with is the wonderful public transportation. I love walking and biking to most places in Florence, Italy, where I live now. When I need to go somewhere else, I can usually take a bus or a train. Some people complain about the services in Italy, but I have not encountered many problems and am amazed actually by how train, planes, and even motorways are all created and organized.
Anyway, most of Europe basically dies in August, with most people heading towards the surrounding seas for rest and relaxation. It is a bit bizarre, especially since August is the time when many tourists can visit, especially if they have school-age children.
I have been doing my best to seclude myself in my new space here, at least during August. I have two easels set up and the doors to my balcony remain always open. This is for my sanity. I am working on many paintings, allowing the layers of oil paint to dry while I work on other images. And sadly, I have not yet solved all of the Web site problems after I transferred in late June to a new host company. My contact form and order forms do not yet work. But I have discovered that there is only so much frustration I can take in one day and do not wish to spend more than a few hours each day on this.
In any event, I hope that you enjoy these snapshots I took around the Arno River in Florence… ah, the bike life! I am shown here with my friend Biljana, visiting from her home in Serbia. We took a day trip to the charming San Gimignano recently (the exception to my August rule). You may see some of those images on my Facebook page, if you like.
Thank you for sticking with me on this art journey and I hope August is good to you. Me? I must get back to my paintings.
My father once suggested to me that I “go ahead and get this Europe thing out of my system and come back to live in the States.” I think he has turned into my grandmother. She worried constantly. But that was years ago and while I still have not worked out how to have permanent residence here in Italy, and my life is in limbo, I think I have convinced those who care about me that I am not finished with Europe.
One of the perks that is difficult to argue with is the wonderful public transportation. I love walking and biking to most places in Florence, Italy, where I live now. When I need to go somewhere else, I can usually take a bus or a train. Some people complain about the services in Italy, but I have not encountered many problems and am amazed actually by how train, planes, and even motorways are all created and organized.
Anyway, most of Europe basically dies in August, with most people heading towards the surrounding seas for rest and relaxation. It is a bit bizarre, especially since August is the time when many tourists can visit, especially if they have school-age children.
I have been doing my best to seclude myself in my new space here, at least during August. I have two easels set up and the doors to my balcony remain always open. This is for my sanity. I am working on many paintings, allowing the layers of oil paint to dry while I work on other images. And sadly, I have not yet solved all of the Web site problems after I transferred in late June to a new host company. My contact form and order forms do not yet work. But I have discovered that there is only so much frustration I can take in one day and do not wish to spend more than a few hours each day on this.
In any event, I hope that you enjoy these snapshots I took around the Arno River in Florence… ah, the bike life! I am shown here with my friend Biljana, visiting from her home in Serbia. We took a day trip to the charming San Gimignano recently (the exception to my August rule). You may see some of those images on my Facebook page, if you like.
Thank you for sticking with me on this art journey and I hope August is good to you. Me? I must get back to my paintings.
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