summer, sketching in piazza, exhibition on the beach....

It has been an interesting and busy August . I went to the beach several times and my legs are not so white any longer. I sketched in the piazza twice and plan to do more of it and I had a brilliant time at the Lido Natura one evening  taking part in an exhibition.
This year has been the first time we went to a bar and hired sunbeds and an umbrella. Oh what luxury- no staggering down to the sea carrying chairs, umbrella and a whole lot of other "neccessary" things and then tying the umbrella down as it was wont to blow over regularly - oh no, not this time. Just  a short stroll  down a proper path to the bar, pay for the sunbeds, umbrella and- very important - use of toilets and showers , and relax. It was nice to sit in the lounge area and have a coffee and cornetto and look at the sea and then find our umbrella all set up with a nice little table.
Then just lying about people watching with the occasional stroll along the waters edge and another diet coke with a small measure of rum. Am not used to such luxury. It was bliss!
This year for the first time ever I was at the beach on feragosto with everybody else.
And obviously as I now had cream coloured legs - instead of white- I also did some sketching in the piazza.It helped that I bought a lovely old document case which I used to keep my sketch pad and paints in.  The first time I was quite self conscious , but the second time I just got on with it. I would like to draw more people so maybe if I get really brave I will get some people to pose.......
one of the highlights of my summer was being part of an evening of art, poetry and music on the beach at the Lido Natura. I was invited  to read a poem in english and bring along some paintings. What a gorgeous evening. I just kept looking around thinking "I can't believe I am doing this". It was unforgetable. I am only sorry I couldn't spend some days there lazing on the beach - next year I will.
This seems like such a brief description of a busy summer which included the feste, the film festival, various concerts and so much more but sometimes photos are better than words.....

summer scootering fashion

lido natura

evening of poetry, art and music, lido natura

crowds at concert, piazza lombardy

watching a film at film festival

looking out from the lounge at the beach bar

crowds and lights at feste

view from sunbed before it got busy

second time sketching

colours of summer in pisticci- this is one of my favourite photos this summer

Can't Sketch Because My Legs Are Too White.......

I miss my blog. I don't know if anyone else does too ,but I used to look forward to writing it and it really added to my life because I thought I sounded so interesting and funny and so many odd and delightful things happened to me and around me that I could easily believe I was living a story.
But in the last few months I have been so busy and stressed with house selling that it feels like I was degenerating into a sort of tour guide - quick little extracts of life with photos. Was ok , but not what I intended to do when I started writing.
My blog is for me as much as anyone else. It is supposed to be a sort of chatty, diary, CV, photo album, autobiography and entertainment.
So, to get on with it all........
Today-  the 5th of August and its holiday time here. Was woken up at 6am on the first of the month by fireworks  followed by a brass band. I think its a lovely way to start the month. (Somebody told me that the fireworks used to be to remind debtors to pay up but now its about" the party has begun."). I would have been slightly more enthusiastic about the fireworks had I not been out at a jazz night at Casa Elizia the previous night.Jazz in the street- brilliant!
But back to today and I was up early to go meet someone in the piazza to arrange a commission. (I thought) So off I go and arrive at the cafe where I am to meet the client and it was another Italian moment. The story-

view every sunny morning

lights ready to be switched on

so pleased with this painting

my colourful little gallery

special summer painting

sun shining in my studio

I was to complete painting for client for 4th august and meet in cafe.. emailed client with photo of said painting. phone call from cafe - meet 8.30am monday for new commission. got reply to email -cant meet 4th- meet 11th instead.
So when asked where was the painting ...................!!!
All sorted now. Have been paid and as for the new commission- don't know what happened to it.
Having had hardly any sleep last night . Sleeping is not one of my skills. I came back to the studio and decided I would go out again and start the day properly and even take my sketch pad with me. I set off on my scooter to go to the cafe where I have been invited to go and sketch any time I like, parked in town , glanced down at my legs sticking out from my flowery shorts and decided on the spot that I could not possibly sketch in public with these legs. So am back here - and strangely my white legs have reminded me of who I am and what I am doing here.
I have not got a tan because I have been too busy painting commissions to go to the beach. I have had lots of work and various deadlines to meet. It is great- I love painting and I have so many ideas that I would need to live  for a long time and have twice as much energy to do everything I want to do.
And I am still a little shy about painting or drawing in public. It is why I like to work from photos in private.
However I will apply some fake tan, go to the beach and have another go at sketching in  the piazza. And I will write about it in my blog next time just you wait and see................