A taste of Como

Our first day in Lake Como began with Sunday Mass in a beautiful church next door to our B&B. After mass we took the bus to Como to do some exploring.  It was a warm, sunny day and Como was full of vacationers scurrying to catch a boat ride up the lake,  going for a stroll along the boardwalk, or enjoying a meal at one of the many outdoor cafes.  Lines formed at every gelato stand as everyone was imbibing with their favorite flavor.

Still a little "jet laggy" we took it easy and did some future planning for our week, checking out the funicular (cable car) up to the perch top city of Brunate, the train to Milano for our Tuesday tour, and the cruise schedule around the lake.

We strolled down typically European streets that were narrow and crowded.  Every once in a while the street would open up to a piazza like the piazza del Duomo (above) in front of the cathedral.   Below is the tower of Porta Vittorio, built in 1192, it was part of the walled city.  Piazza Vittoria (front) will be the site of the city market later in the week.

 Once again the transit system was full of challenges enroute home.  We missed our stop in Laglio and found our way back via a long walk in the dark.  When we arrived in Laglio an hour later, we were greeted by Aldo Tabacco and his wife Anna who were waiting for us.  Aldo is our KC friend John's good friend. He is the one who found us our B&B in Laglio.  We walked back to their home for a beer and visited with them through our KC friend, John, who was interpreting via the telephone.   Why didn't I learn more languages when I was young?

Planes,trains and automobiles

Our 30 hour ordeal is behind us and we are ready to take on Italy!  What a day (and a half)!  After 9 hours on the plane (sans sleep) we tackled the Transitalia rail system with 150 lbs of luggage!  With all the preparation from our Italian friend, John in KC, Murphy's Law still was in play for the 9 hour trip to Lake Como. We agreed that "people watching" should be the national European sport instead of soccer. Needless to say, when we found Stefano with his Mercedes waiting in Como for our last 20 minute trek to the B&B in Laglio, he was a sight for sore eyes!

George Clooney's home is just above Stefano's head

What a beautiful ride it was up the west side of the lake to our home away from home!  There is a painting around every curve along the tiny winding road.  When we arrived in Laglio we were greeted by Laura and Daniello and their 7month little boy John.  They speak English well and our place is very comfortable.
Before we went to bed last night we visited the neighborhood grocer and purchased some sandwich fixings and a bottle of wine!  We walked across the road from our B&B and had a picnic!  Ciao for now!

"a loaf of bread, a bottle of wine, and a soon to use, bed!!

Sundown, Kangaroo Lake

8x10 Oil on board

If the mornings on Kangaroo Lake are diverse, the sunsets are spectacular!  Our view from Sunset Shores Resort is incredible.  In the summer, the sun sets over the island on the lake which is just north of our property.  Each night is its own special light show.  If clouds are in play the colors can range from violet to orange.  If there are no clouds, the giant yellow ball just drops into the trees of the island like a lead balloon.

This is my last post until we get settled in Lake Como. Italy.  It seems fitting, as a sunset signifies the end of the day, but it also reminds of new tomorrows.  Ciao!

Kangaroo Lake morning

11x14  Oil on board

Every morning that I wake up at Kangaroo Lake in Door County, I could paint this scene (like Monet did with his haystacks) and each of them would be different.  There are no two mornings quite the same on Kangaroo Lake.  The diversity comes from the prevailing winds, the season, and the temperature. It is a shallow lake and some mornings the water is like a mirror and other mornings there are three foot waves.   This morning was calm but the skies said different weather was on its way.  What a great forecaster.  

As I have been preparing to launch my blog, I have followed several other artist's blogs to get ideas.  Several of these artists are full time artists who create their livelihood by painting.  Two of my favorites are Carol Marine and Marc Hanson.  Speaking of Labor Day, these artists are the epitome of a "labor of love."  Reading their daily posts on their blogs is inspiring!  They have created a living doing something they love.  I couldn't wish any more than this for my grandchildren.  Find something that you love to do, make the effort to get good at it, and you will never work a day in your life!  Happy Labor Day! 

CHAIRS WITH A VIEW

11x14 oil on board

We leave for Lake Como this Friday, so I thought I'd post a few of my paintings from this year's Plein Air Festival in Door County while I am packing.  On the first day of the week long event,  Carole , Teddy and I drove up to Rowley's Bay on the Northeast side of the peninsula to watch the invited artists paint at sunrise.  We were inspired as we watched the featured artists paint the setting.  The Mink River empties into Lake Michigan at this point and there is a neat old resort with several piers at this site.  We were anxious to return to paint at this site a few days later.  

It was a bright, sunny day when we returned, so a sky painting was not an option.  I love to include chairs and benches in my paintings whenever possible as I feel they "invite" the viewer to picture themselves within the painting.  These two old adirondack chairs at the end of the pier with the sun creating great shadows, were the perfect choice for my morning painting session.  The chairs provided a challenge in perspective and detail and I tried not to "overpaint" them.  I also tried to consider both chairs simultaneously so they would feel like a pair.  The greens on the other side of the channel were lit by the morning sun making them appear closer that they were.  The bright sun made the water very blue.  This became a very "high key" painting.

AMERICAN SUMMERTIME

16x20 oil on canvas

Welcome to my blog!  I am excited to share my world with my family, friends, and fellow artists.

I have always felt that my ability to paint is a gift and gifts were meant to be shared. Thanks to new technology, this is now a reality.  I also hope this format will encourage me to paint regularly and hopefully get some much needed critiques of my work.  

It seems fitting to begin my blog where I get so much inspiration for my work...Door County.

This is a painting I just completed from a photo I took at Woodwalk Gallery.  Some of my KC painting friends, and I were in Door County for the 4th annual Plein Air Festival.  Several of the invited artists were painting at this beautiful gallery, renovated at an old farm outside Egg Harbor.  The homestead next to the gallery/barn caught my eye with its flag posted proudly and the old tire swing hanging from a nearby tree.  To me, this scene is a part of "Americana" that is timeless...and maybe priceless!