Elba ~ Italy

The following sketches were completed on the beautiful island of Elba which is off the west coast of Italy. The sandy coves, old fishing ports and quaint villages high in the mountains make this a painter's paradise.

Low Tide ~ Elba

Hilltop Village ~ Poggio

Hidden Cove

Rocky Shores

Morning Mist ~ Elba

I have been fortunate to visit many wonderful areas to paint and have to say the island of Elba was one of the most beautiful I have seen so far.

Along the northern coast ~ Italy

I decided to walk back along the winding coast from Portofino to Santa Margherita on a warm sunny afternoon. The road was narrow and winding with many cars zipping by. Too bad for them because I feel the only way to appreciate this part of the coastline is on foot. I came around a corner and saw this tall narrow rock with a tree growing out of the top. Strange to think this is even possible. The locals call it “La Caraga” which means The Chair.

I have been waking with the sun everyday and this particular morning I went for a walk just as the sun was rising. The light was soft and hazy and the streets were quiet. This is my favourite time of day. The only others I saw were fisherman preparing their nets for the day. 

Now to explore more of the town and the narrow streets. Another day to be filled with painting and writing...it's great to be alive! 

Cinque Terre ~ Italy

I have been staying in the Port of Santa Margherita. She is a spectacle of colour tucked away between many jewel like villages along the north western coast of Italy. On my first day here I simply wandered the streets admiring the beautiful frescoes on these tall narrow buildings. How in the world am I ever going to be able to get the perspective right! 

A few days after getting to know this wonderful seaside town I caught a bus to Portofino. This is another little gem of a village waiting to be painted a few kilometers away along this northern coast. There were such wonderful colours and light to be explored but unfortunately many tourists as well. I am told if I were here a week earlier I practically would have had the place to myself. I find that hard to believe looking out now across a sea of people!

Today the sun shines again and I decided to go for a hike. I came around the corner and saw this picturesque scene. What a perfect day!

                                                                       
 


Since returning to the hotel I have worked on a couple of sketches of a particular cove between these villages. My view was from several meters above looking down into the deep aqua blue waters that was surrounded by towering pines. Very difficult to portray in paint as it was such a majestic sight and tricky for me to convey the height from which I was standing.

I plan to do a large painting of this in oils when back in my studio. I do love a good challenge!

Memories ~ Italy - Poem

Sitting in the gardens

Birds singing, warm sun upon my back

The water gently ripples as a sculler passes in silence

Church bells ring eight

As a new day is born

I am now caught in her rhythm

This timeless endless quality of life

Living in a moment that is true and perfect

Lighthouse Lookout ~ Portofino

My mind drifts back to days gone by
Of when life was as new for me
As this day that now unfolds
Marbles with colour swirls
Fresh new box of crayons
Mud pies with my sister
Exploring with my brothers
Always curious about the day

Door to the Past ~ Santa Margherita

Now back in the present 

I find myself asking questions

For which there are no answers

I believe at least none of which I am meant to fully understand

For this I am grateful for I really don’t want to know all

Only to accept and live this life I've been given

Full of hope ~ the way it was intended 

Portofino Afternoon

One day this day will be a memory

From days long passed

The thought of this makes me smile

I hope I will still be wondering

In my future life

With childlike innocence

Of this day, this gift we each have been given

May I always see the hope in a sunrise and comfort in the setting sun

Now to get out there and enjoy another day of sunshine, painting, writing and perhaps just a little more good Italian cooking!

Emerald Isle

I met Joan and Patty while waiting for the Dublin train to Belfast. She and I really hit it off talking about children and the joys (and challenges) of raising them. The more we talked the more I liked her. Her hubby was in line getting their tickets and when he came over I immediately liked him too. “Great fun loving couple they are” as they say here on the Emerald Isle. Lots of laughter and teasing between them as the green grass and stone houses passed by my window. Dublin is the place of my mother’s birth father. I will be exploring this city during my final days in Ireland and plan now to make my way up to Belfast. After a much needed sleep I will travel through the countryside to the northern town of Bushmills then back down to Belfast along the coast then fly over to the Isle of Man where my other grandfather’s family was from. Hmmmm seems like a lot of moving around but I do want to experience as much of this part of the world as I can.

The combination of the rhythmic motion of the train and the fact I have been on the “road” now for over 24 hours is making it hard to stay awake. The best way to get on track with sleep patterns is to stay awake for the first day for as long as possible and try to go to bed at the regular time.

....It seems I have failed as an hour has passed as I nodded off to dreamland but I must admit to feeling a bit more human after my “wee” rest. I must say I do love the way the Irish are so musical with their words!

The announcement has been made as the train slows and now I feel like I have truly arrived to this land where my grandfather was from.

Top of the mornin’ to ya!

And so it begins...again ~ 2010 travel adventure!

As I sit here reflecting on the last year of my life I realize my granny (my father’s mother) was right. The older you get the faster time flies. I always knew she was one smart cookie. (She made the best cookies too...and cakes and donuts and...!!) She was born here in Canada but her family roots were from Finland. 

My grandfather (my dad’s dad) was born in England but his family was from the Isle of Man.

My mom’s birthfather was from Dublin, Ireland and her adoptive family from Italy. (I met these relatives last September) I guess this varied background makes me a Heinz 57!  

I will write more about her birthmother and my other family connections in future entries.

The reason I mention these things is because I am now on my way there. I am writing this from the Chicago airport and will be arriving in Dublin Ireland soon. Over the next month I will be making my way around Europe from Ireland to Isle of Man, Finland and some Italy too. I know what you’re thinking.....I was just in Italy! The main reason for going there is because of temperature. I want to be able to write and paint outdoors and in the spring it’s simply too wet and cool to do so in the Ireland area. I hope to find a small quiet fishing village to do my work as I won’t be going into the busier cities this trip. I have decided to write a book about my family roots including my paintings, poetry and hopefully some interesting and inspiring stories. I really don’t have an agenda except to let the days unfold and allow my imagination the freedom it needs to explore myself and the world around me. My goal is to have 1/3 of my book written by the time I return.

Please join me on this next adventure as I keep you up to date with my progress. Now to get busy again with the brush and pen! Yippee!! 

Cheers!

New Friendships ~ Italy 2010

It has been a long time since my last entry and I do hope you haven’t given up on me! My store has demanded much of my time as we prepare for the Christmas Season ahead.  My plan is to update every week or two, so it seems I have some catching up to do!

I was reading my journal from my trip to Italy and came across some stories that included two new friends I met when in Sorrento. Devon is from California and Tara from New York. They were touring Italy together and as fate would have it we all arrived at the hotel on the same day. We met during breakfast the next morning and shared plans we had for the rest of our trip. They were only staying in Sorrento for a couple of days.  I shared with them my ten day plan to paint and write and make my time here productive and relaxing.

The next morning they told me they changed their plans to stay. We ended up on many adventures together touring around the Almalfi Coast, taking a train to the ruins of Pompeii, and even took the little tourist train around Sorrento Old Town. We also enjoyed many meals together sharing stories from our lives.  It was great fun to get to know these bright, fun girls. Tara (Miss Wall Street) works in advertising on Wall Street and Devon (Miss California) has an advertising firm in Los Angeles.  I was known as Lady Connie...much easier than trying to remember my last name! I will always appreciate their views on life. It was a good reminder for me to look for opportunities to learn from the people who cross my path...no matter their age or their place in life, they have much to share.

It was great to get the younger perspective as we toured around. We talked of our work, life and future aspirations. They have left quite an impression on me and reaffirmed in me the importance of being open to the day. Thank you ladies! And remember...what happens in Italy stays in Italy!!! :)

Back to Reality



Doorway to the Past

 

I have now arrived home and still trying to get my sleep patterns back on track. The luggage has been unpacked and clothes washed. Again I took too many things and vow not to make that mistake again!

It’s back to work for me this week and I have to say the biggest adjustment has been to not have a pen or brush in my hand every day. I do hope for this one day to be my reality, but in the meantime am happy to get back to my “real” job. There is much to prepare for the busy season ahead and again would like to acknowledge my Northwoods staff and my family for picking up the slack so that I could pursue my creative dream.

Of course the bookkeeping part of my reality I could do without. That really is the other side of the brain stuff!!

Ancient Window

I have gone through my sketchbooks now filled with images and words. I met so many interesting people along the way and there is still much I would like to share with you about my latest adventure.

I have decided to keep this blog going and invite you to come back for future updates.

In the meantime here are a couple more sketches I completed while in Italy and Croatia.

Enjoy!