Tuscany dreams

Do you dream of going places?

I do. The more I travel the more I want to travel. Europe has been my intrigue and with luck and a few dollars, I'll return again. My sights are on Tuscany next...

I was checking out some of my followers sites and came upon Roisin O'Farrell's post titled In a bit of a Jam! Love the title and the painting. In this post Roisin talks about artists bartering. I think its a very cool idea. She starts out with little things like jam for gesso boards and ends up with weekend stay's for paintings.

I'm all up for that one!

It's been in my mind to travel for art. How wonderful that would be! Last summer I was online searching for villas in Tuscany that might offer me a room if I painted their vineyards. I was even connected with a man in Italy who was assisting me in trying to find such a place. We were unsuccessful...

That doesn't mean such a thing doesn't exist. It also doesn't mean we can't make it happen. I do remember years ago a place in Bar Harbor, Maine would invite artists during pre-season to come stay for a week. The owners were busy preparing their establishment for the summer and they allowed artists to use an entire floor during this time. The artists were free to paint and the only charge was to donate a painting at the end of their stay.

It was perfect for all involved. The owners received beautiful original art to decorate their rooms, while the artists painted for free in amazing scenery! At the end of the week, the owners hosted an "art show" in the grand-room showcasing the artists work from the week. One artist would paint a beautiful painting at her leisure during the year to bring, so her room and board was accounted for upon arrival.

If artists started to offer such deals, do you think we could begin a trend?

It isn't a far cry from my artists hosting artists idea. I know this sort of thing could work. Maybe we should talk about this some more... I'd love your ideas on the matter?

Where do you want to go?

Purple teapot

Thanks for the interest in my teapot. Your comments are very uplifting. I began my blog hoping to inspire and uplift you, but here it is doing the old switch-e-roo. A pleasant surprise and I thank you.

I had no idea what I would write this morning but Jamie Haney's (http://artsyfartsyus.blogspot.com/) comment sparked me to continue to elaborate on my teapot. Isn't there always a story behind the objects we choose for our still life's? Funny how without thinking, we navigate towards those things that have special meaning to us. Jamie asked for a continuation of the teapot story. What will I do with the painting now? Hang it? Sell it? Cram it in the back of the studio somewhere???

The thing is, the continuing story behind the teapot is not after the painting, but before.

I bought this teapot when shopping with my middle son, Josh. It was so unusual to be out shopping with him. If you have boys, you'll understand. Or perhaps this unwilling to go shopping is just my boys... You see, I hate to shop. I know its probably wrong for a woman to feel like this, but I would prefer to be home painting. (Or anywhere painting...) But on this particular day, Josh and I were out shopping together and the chore became fun.

Josh was returning to college and needed cooking supplies for his new apartment. He loves to cook so really it was a lot of fun to get him supplied. We started at Marden's, a very inexpensive store that purchases close-outs. Its hit or miss, but a good place to begin. Our shopping cart was filled with everything from pots and pans to utensils to a large cutting board that resembled mine. Suddenly we noticed this teapot. I picked it up. I thought it was beautiful. The glossy pottery in rich deep hues with the swinging bamboo handle was so charming. The price was seven dollars. I opened it, examined it, caressed the smoothness with my hand and placed it back on the shelf.

Josh reacted abruptly. "Why are you putting it back on the shelf? You need to buy it!"

He was right. I had just redone my kitchen/dining room in Tuscany style and this purple teapot matched it perfectly. Yes believe it or not, I've painted part of my kitchen in this deep purple, but that's another story... The color purple is in fact a story in itself. (maybe a whole volume!!!)

The teapot has its permanent home, center stage on my room divider, just above my stove. I look at it all the time and remember that special day Josh and I went shopping together. I think of how, for a mere seven dollars, I would have lost this precious reminder had it not been for him urging me to buy something for myself.

The little purple bowl was a gift from my very special neighbor. That too is another story...

So to answer your question Jamie, yes the painting is for sale. All my paintings are for sale. I don't think I feel comfortable bringing it to my galleries, for it doesn't resemble any of my other work. Sad to say, but it might end up in the back of my studio...

Or perhaps it will be a gift to Josh someday.

Purple Teapot 12x16" original oil painting $500. + shipping unframed