my life as a story: March already....better get organised for summer then...

Monday, March 3, 2014

March already....better get organised for summer then...

It feels like I am waking up from hibernation. Today I opened both windows above my doors - with the aid of a hammer and a screwdriver - and let the air in to my studio. I lasted about 2 hours until I was so cold I was having difficulty feeling my hands. But it's a start. My studio is a bit humid- I have a humidifier which tells me that I am only about 15 somethings above the maximum level of whatever. This is good , as when I bought it I was 35 above. It makes me feel that at least I am not imagining that it is cold.
Outside, despite it being February it has been lovely with temperatures reaching 20C on a regular basis.
It's hard to believe that it is only the beginning of March .
This year my new year's resolution, incase I have not already mentioned it, is to be more expansive.( Only I know what that really means , so no one other than me can really say at the end of the year whether I have achieved it or not!)
However in the spirit of er expansiveness - getting about a bit- I went to florence to cheer myself up in February. It is the second time I have been and it was lovely. I was so inspired by the colours in some of the old cafes and bars that I am half way through adding colour to the walls of my studio. Previously it has been all white- in the er spirit of practicalness!
I am still going to yoga class and enjoying it very much. Now that I get the bus every time there I am thinking (expansiveness) about seeing where else I can go on the bus. It is not as easy as it sounds as there are no timetables. What is on the internet is not neccessarily what is available , so it is only by going to the bus station and asking whoever is hanging around what times there are buses to wherever that it's possible to make a plan. I am considering visiting Tursi where there is a very interesting old area. It would take me about an hour and a half on my scooter or possibly 3 hours on two buses. (About 35 minutes in a car). So far have not got further than considering it.......
I am looking forward to warmer weather and feeling like going out for strolls round Pisticci. Once I am inside and semi warm I tend to stay in. It didnt help that my door got about an inch bigger and slightly curved due to all the damp and I could barely open and shut it. It has now had the extra inch removed so there will be plenty of ventilation in the summer when it has shrunk again.
I have been still getting a regular stream of commissions, mostly portraits but also have recently finished painting three washboards which was interesting to do.
I have felt a bit shut in these last few months and it will make a big difference when I start to open my studio door every day.
This week it's Carnevale and tomorrow I think there is a parade. I have to go and take my camera as I promised two girls that I would take their photos and draw them.
This year I am hoping to learn to speak better Italian - that would definitely help me be more expansive- but am not confident that I will manage to achieve this unless I get out more and spend more time with people. Actually that sounds like quite a good idea- in the spirit of expansiveness............