Spirit of St. Paul's Bay ~ Poem

I have one more swimming adventure to share with you from Lindos, Greece.

I was told to go to Saint Paul's Bay at sunrise, swim out past the rocky cliffs, the entrance to the bay, float on my back, look up and wait. I didn't know what to expect other than for sure I was going to be in the water and I would be wet! I do love surprises!!

Now I will describe to you what happened on that warm, beautiful early morning.

Spirit of St. Paul’s Bay

Sun now rises from its rest

As I drift through winding street

Village lay in quiet slumber

No soul around for mornings greet

Silently the shadows gather

As the sunlight finds its way

To filter out the darkness

Now begins a fresh new day

I must be there at dawn, they say

To see what I could see

Before the village wakens

What quiet bliss awaits for me

Experience this day anew

In a way many do not see

Arrive to rocks at St. Paul’s gate

As dawn breaks across the sea

I slip into the clear cool deep

My feet enter waters still

The calmness there infuses me

Sun warms the morning's chill

Slowly, calmly I whirl my way

To this place beyond the cliffs

Liquid mercury, a silent mirror

Reflections in these waters still

I have arrived now to this place

The sun has risen, all aglow

Waiting for the miracle

And do now what I am told

I lay my head back, close my eyes

Water’s edge is at my cheek

I hear myself inhale, exhale

Keeps time with my rhythmic beat

The sunlight but a whisper

In this early morning air

My soul is laid to rest here

Wide open, pure and bare

Eyes lifted to a glow now

High above me in the sky

Wispy feather softness

Turquoise, quiet beauty lie

And then it happened, out they came

Not a soul around but me

At first there were a few, and now

Endless fluttering wings I see

Swirling, twirling round and round

Dancing high up in the sky

They circle far above me

Calmness fills me as I sigh

Now I have learned your secret

To begin this life anew

One must open up your heart

To see all life has offered you

Drift calmly in your thoughts

Breathe deeply, you will see

Appreciate each moment

That’s been given you to be

And to this sacred secret place

I shall always keep you near

Remembering your spirit

You shared with me, oh so dear

                                

Now I am far and many miles

Away from your rocky shores

Across this sea that enveloped me

Dreaming days to come of more

My Travelling Feet

In the past few years I have been fortunate to travel abroad with groups of artists exploring and painting our way through the foreign countryside. It's wonderful to be around like minded people - living, breathing and talking about art and life. It's also a great way to gain some self confidence as you learn about the travelling process. It can be very intimidating to travel alone abroad for the first time but something I believe everyone should do at least once in their lifetime. It will open you up to a whole new experience.

It has changed my life.

Eagle Reflections, Canada

I have noticed that most people I meet when travelling have a unique outlook on life. They have a spirit that seems to be more alive and happy about living the days they've been given. I suppose one could argue that they are on holiday and they would be happier because of this but I suspect they are this way even in their regular lives. Some simply have a happy vibe about them and in turn has a way of lifting others up. Nice!

When in a group setting I find I get to know many of them very well by the end of the trip but I tend not to talk to people from outside of the group.  I do love to learn about different cultures from around the world and find the best way to do this is to travel solo. I have been asked by many how it is I have so many wonderful experiences as I make my way along. I never knew this wasn't always the case for others and after careful consideration, this is what I came up with.

Ascending Light ~ Greece

For me the formula is this. First, one must have an open mind. Not only must you be open to talking to others but one must be truly interested in them and their journey. Everyone has a story to tell about how they came to be at this point in their lives; why they do the things they do. As the conversation unfolds we learn not only about each other, but more about ourselves as well. That is the really beautiful part! In my younger years I was incredibly introverted. So shy in fact it was painful. I find it hard to believe I am that same person now as I thrive on talking with others for the shear joy of it.

Secondly doing something interesting opens channels for conversation. For me that would be working in my sketchbook. When travelling I am always sketching which piques the curiosity of people passing by and many are interested to learn more about the process. The open sketchbook is an invitation for others to ask me questions, to share stories of their lives and this in turn enriches mine. Thank you!

I've met many people telling me they've painted in the past but it had been years since they had touched a brush. There were at least 20 on my last trip who have told me they would now start again. There is no greater feeling than knowing I have inspired others to get back to the joys of creating art. I do hope to hear from them some day or better still I hope to see them painting away in a narrow street in some foreign land as they too continue on their artistic journey.

Everyone has a story to tell. What will yours be?

The Dance Of Life ~ Poem

I wrote this poem a couple of years ago as I was thinking back to an earlier trip I took to Greece. As you can see I love to travel and especially to this part of the world. The light there is so pure and the colours electric ~ an inspiring combination. It is this I try to capture so that others may see and understand. When I write I seize a moment in time just as I do when creating art but by putting words to paper instead of paint. My mind and spirit are filled with this creative energy and I love to share what it is I discover.

The Dance Of Life

Here I sit beneath the olive tree

Waiting for what I do not know

I see clouds float by on the gentle breeze

Hear the song of the winged

Still waiting

The long grass flows one way then the other

Lovers walk by not seeing outside of themselves

I listen now for the right words to come

They seem to fail me

Still I ponder from within to hear

The sun now breaks through the clouds

Warmth radiates against my face

A leaf dances

Caught in the breeze

I see its joy and now all is clear

The answer is told through all of these

Live for now

  

Breathe deeply

Accept this moment

For I am a part of

the clouds

the flowing grass

the sweet melody

The sun and the fluttering leaf

We, each of us are from this place of same

and I smile~

"On The Threshold ~ Greece"

Swimming Caves Adventure

In Lindos I met many locals when out painting everyday and they would suggest places for me to sketch and explore. One day I was asked if I liked to swim. Yes!! 

I was told to walk beyond the small beach area and keep following the shoreline. When I came to a place where it was impossible to continue I was to back up a bit, carefully get into the water (the volcanic rocks were very jagged and hard to walk on so I brought my swimming shoes) then swim around a small rocky point. They never really told me what to expect other than there were 3 caves to explore. I brought my underwater camera with me in case there was anything interesting to photograph. Am I glad I did!! The colours and textures were amazing! I swam into the first cave which was small with underwater rocks covered in colourful lichen that were very beautiful. 

Rock Reflections - Swimming Cave Entrance

Swimming Cave Entrance

As I turned around to swim out this is what I saw. Amazing!

"Azure Portal"

On the high distant point you can see where I had hiked to only a couple of days before. It seems like a dream when I look at this now.

I continued along the shore coming to the next cave. This one was a little bigger and had the most interesting rock formations inside. To me it looked like people coming out from the walls. 

"Sacred Spirits"

I could almost hear their stories.

The third cave was the largest. I'm not sure how to explain this other than I felt like I had entered an ancient cathedral. As I swam in many birds flew overhead and others sang their songs like a choir high in the lofts. The ceiling was vaulted with light so soft and pure it seemed to come from another time and space.

Swimming Cave Cathedral

Magical Turquoise Reflections

I was more than inspired swimming here - I was spiritually moved to new heights and depths. There is a richness to life that I never understood before. 

With each passing day we live, every new experience layers and melts to the ones before. It makes us who we are and with this new knowledge forms who we choose to become.

I will be painting and writing about these caves for many years. Life really is an amazing adventure!

Lindos Hiking Adventure

After getting to know some of the residents in Lindos they saw I was very interested in painting the old buildings and natural landscape. They would recommend places for me to explore away from the main tourist areas. Great!!

A windmill ruin and the Kleoboulos tomb were places I was told to check out. These were located on a peninsula of land across from the main harbour of Lindos. To get there I was told to follow a small trail behind some buildings at the far end of the main beach. I was to start climbing up the "trail" but the problem was I couldn't find it at all with only rocky piles in my view. Not quite what I had envisioned. I thought if I just continued toward the windmill direction it would become easier. Nope. Plan b...I stopped when I could see the rocks becoming even steeper than before, backtracked a bit, then headed higher up the hill. This was the best idea as I soon found the path and it was much easier going after that!

Lindos view from the rocky "path"

View of  the windmill and tomb from the path

The trail on the way there followed along the top of a cliff which offered the most incredible views of the windmill (small circular structure on the left side) and the tomb of Greek philosopher Kleoboulos (more of a tribute as he's not buried there) This is at the furthest and highest point.

Rocky "path" up to the tomb.

After waiting periodically for goats and sheep to pass I made it to the top.

Spectacular!

 I could see forever. It was so peaceful and absolutely beautiful!

I have included some sketches of my hike there.

Lindos Windmill Ruin

Inside the Windmill - 1

Inside the Windmill - 2

I fell in love with this old windmill and know I will be painting it for years to come ~

Simi,The Island of Light part 2

I met many wonderful people from England here too on the island of Simi. One couple I talked to, Su and her hubby Marcus,are now retired and working at their blogs as they post their travels and daily life activities. Nice!  Another couple, Rene and Gordon told me they came here years ago and fell in love with Simi and have been coming back ever since. Hmmmm sounds pretty good to me!! Come to think of it, I did see some "For Sale" signs on some fixer upper properties!!

"Simi Ruins" sketch 

I think all they need is just a "little" elbow grease!!

That was the story of another Canadian couple too who have purchased some property and now make Simi their permanent home. I met them and their guests who are also from Canada. Turns out Catherine is a potter (wonderful raku!!) and lives near to where my daughter lives in Southern Ontario. Small world! I can certainly see why people love it here. Everyone I talked to, Greeks or landed residents spoke only of their love of this place and the peaceful quality of life. 

Simi, The Island of Light part 1

I spent one day on the Greek Island of Simi exploring the narrow streets looking for interesting things to paint. As the ferry approached the harbour I could see some old ruins at the top of the hill that looked interesting so that became my mission. It didn't look that high or far away and of course I had to keep asking locals the directions. All they kept saying was "up" pointing to the sky. Makes me smile even now as I remember this day!  

"Blue Pots"

I saw these blue pots as I headed up the hill.

Along the way I saw some beautiful stone homes that were brightly coloured as well as some old ruin walls that were interesting. I could have spent a week exploring these narrow streets but must say after a few sketches and 400 photos later I feel I got a pretty good feeling about the place! I will be painting images of Simi for years to come.

Colourful Simi Home ~ sketch

6" X 9"

Stairs on Simi - Oil on Linen

15.5" X 12"

I painted this oil later when in Lindos village from the sketch below. The light was so pure making the whitewashed walls and peeling blue paint electric. When I saw this staircase I knew I would have to paint it and look forward to creating a larger one in my studio soon.

Stairs on Simi - w/c sketch
11" X 7.5"

Tuscan Friends

I have now returned home from my great and wonderful adventure. It seems hard to believe that I was just in Greece and Italy for 5 weeks. I do miss it already and look forward to future travels. I will continue sharing these random stories so that you too can experience what I saw and felt as I made my way along.

With this sketch I wanted to capture a little of the daily life in Montalcino, Italy. This small Tuscan town was filled with beautiful old buildings and interesting people. I do love the challenge of including figures in my work and look forward to doing a larger painting of this old man and his town.

Spirit of Montalcino 

I met Silvana Biasutti when out exploring the Tuscan countryside. (This was early in my travels when with the two couples from England I mentioned in an earlier post.) She saw me taking pictures in her small village and we started talking. I said how beautiful her town was and through conversation discovered we were both artists. She invited me into her home so I could see some of her work. Her drawings were amazing and she also showed me a book an artist friend of hers had written. Wonderful!  She gave me contact information should I decide to return there one day. She and her daughter would find an apartment for me to stay in and Silvana would tell me about special places in the area to paint. 

Sylvana Biasutti

I do love these random encounters with like minded people. It was especially memorable because we knew our meeting was because of our art. It really does open the door for some great conversation and learning.