It’s day four of my artist’s residency in Umbria. I’m making progress on a couple of mixed-media pieces, which is good because they need to be finished for an art exhibition that opens Sunday in Assisi.
In addition to working in the studio, I sat outside for a bit and drew the panorama around.
In the afternoon we took a little field trip to the local olive mill to watch oil being pressed.
I wish I could have captured the smell of the place somehow. So delicious.
After dinner I went out for a moonlit walk with the other three artists who are here. We had hoped to spot some porcupines or deer or wild boar, but the only animal we came across was Nerone, the fat black cat. Back at the farmhouse, we sat around the fire drinking aged grappa and listening to the wind howl outside. I wonder at the lucky circumstances that brought me to this place.
I wish you could have captured some of the overflow. Please tell me that isn’t fresh pressed olive oil going to waste.
Sadly, that is fresh virgin olive oil going to waste. The men in charge went outside on a smoke break; Satoko and I were the first to notice the tragedy-in-progress and alert them.
I love reading of your time there on your residency. I also love to hear how you are working so close to Sunday’s deadline. Somehow – perhaps odd – it fills me with hope.
I love how AEDM introduces me to such intriguing artists!
And wow – I can imagine the smell…. yummilicious!!
I’m glad one of us is filled with hope! 🙂 I was feeling a little apprehensive yesterday that I’d be able to finish two pieces that I would be proud to show, but today I made great progress in the studio, and I am also actually feeling pretty good about it now.
Your painting is absolutely lovely…please let us know when your show opens so we can stop by and say hello!
Thanks so much! The exhibition is at Le Logge in Assisi and opens Sunday at 4:30pm. I hope to meet you there! Details: http://artestudioginestrelle.wordpress.com/2012/11/12/international-contemporary-art-exhibition-2012/
Julie, please team up with Scott to make a scratch and sniff website. I can’t wait to smell that olive oil.
Mmmm I could go for a scratch and sniff of that olive oil. One of the best aromas ever.