Thursday, December 3, 2009

A picture is worth a thousand words

What can I tell you? I am sitting in an internet center in Florence,
Italy. I'm not kidding you. I've been on the move for something
like 12-15 hours and the reward was flying over the snow
covered alps, glistening in the sunlight, and then coming down
over farms that look exactly like my friend Gill's paintings of
Tuscany.



One view from La Terraza (our apartment)
It was warm today for
December, and I can imagine
that in summer the flowers
must be spilling over the flower boxes,
but it was still magnificent.

But that's not all. Our apartment is above a palace -- you enter
through a massive wooden door, and another high gorgeous
wrought iron door, and are at the bottom of a high, high spiral
staircase topped by a glass dome. We transported our many bags
up three or four levels. Our apartment has a terrace on the
second floor, and a view of all of Florence. Right in front of
our eyes in the bedroom and up on the terrace is a close up
view of the Duomo.

The summer plants have dried but
in every direction there is a fabulous view
No drawings or paintings tonight. No sleep for 24 hours. Please
forgive me.

By the way we are already too deeply in love with Florence for
words.


I couldn't edit the photos because I don't know how
to do it on this computer. Enjoy!
Have a make-your-dreams-come-true day.

14 comments:

LeSan said...

I hope you are having the time of your life and that you are well dressed while doing it. hehehe
Have a great time my friend and soak up some sunshine for your buddies back home.

Anonymous said...

WOW Barbara!! You made it to Florence for your show!! I'm so glad you could go. How fabulous! Take lots of pictures for us...can't wait to 'go' to the exhibit...virtually.
Flora xo

Melinda said...

Thanks for sharing these photos! You're floating above the apartments, right?!

Astra said...

It looks wonderful-please bring back a ton of photos and do another DVAC talk about your trip.Enjoy all the new people and experiences.

Zina Chmielowski said...

You are amazing Barbara!
You just came to Florence and blogging immediately...
I admire you.
Wonderful pictures.
Have a great time

Barbara Muir said...

Hi LeSan,

It is raining and cold today. The town is spectacular even in the rain,
but sun would be lovely.

I'll soak up some history instead. Have you ever been here. It's a must for artists.

Take care,

Barbara

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Flora,

The show is overwhelming. Today was set up day, and I was so lucky to have paid the shipper for that, because my paintings were there on the wall when I arrived! Yay!

Miss you. It's cold and rainy here and spectacular. You have to come next time! They would love your work!

xoxoxoxoxBarbara

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Melinda,

I am floating. My work is on the wall, and it looks better than it's ever looked. We walk out the door of the castle and there are wonderful things to eat and drink in every direction, plus absolutely knock out buildings and art. People are delightful and kind.

We are smitten.

Miss you.

xoxoxoxoxoxoBarbara

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Astra,

I have met people everywhere. Everyone is so kind and helpful. We met a sweet artist from Holland at the airport and so many other people. There are 800 artists in the show. Every kind of work. You would love it!

Take care,

Barbara

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Zina,

It is so easy here to do everything. People tell you where to get what you need, and almost everything we need is right on our street! In fact right out our front door. The art show is a bit of a hike from here, and today there was a hard, cold rain, and we got soaked walking there. But once we were there we were delighted.

Take care,

Barbara

Zina Chmielowski said...

Hi Barbara,
800 hundred artists that must be amazing experience!
Is there any preference in style?
Representational or abstract?
So interesting?
Take care Zina

eldon warren said...

Lucky dog!! :)
Have fun.
eldon

Liza Hirst said...

I don't know why but I received your post just now, far too late!!
Oh, it looks sooo wonderful, Barbara! I am nearly as exited as if I was there myself - I am so happy for you! Wish you a fab time and hopefully some sun, too.
Big hugs, Liza

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Zina,

We now think it may be 650, but it's still a huge show -- so big that I've been there for two days and haven't seen everything.

Take care,

Barbara

Portrait Artist

My photo
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
I paint and draw on commission and for shows. To commission a portrait, or purchase one of my paintings please contact me at: barbara.muir@sympatico.ca
A major highlight in my career? Drawing Oprah Winfrey live via Skype for her show "Where in the Skype are you? Galleries: Studio Vogue Gallery, Toronto, Canada. The Amsterdam Whitney Gallery, New York City. Gallery at the Porch Door, Kingston, Canada. Your positive comments on this blog mean the world to me. I'd love to hear from you!