Venice- Teatro la Fenice

I was determined to experience a night at the opera in Venice.
We decided to 'go big' and got some great box seats;
an intimate enclosure for 4 although we were only 3.
What fun it was to have our own perch to people watch down below!

The space is spectacular. It had to be completely re-built after it burned down in 1996.
Amazing how they were able to replicate the fine artistry of the original.

Venice- Modern Art

The Peggy Guggenheim Museum was a lovely way to spend an afternoon. The largely 20th.C collection is housed in her actual palazzo, which is right on the Grand Canal. The works hang in the same spots they did when she lived there and there are photographs in each room of her sitting in that room surrounded by the same art we are at that moment appreciating... (no photos are allowed to be taken inside and, tempted as I was, I obeyed)!
Almost as thrilling as the exhibit was the terrace with this spectacular bronze sculpture, "The Angel in the City" by Marino Marini, 1948.





One of things I love about Venice is, that although it has an amazing history of art & culture, it is not locked into it's past. It loves to celebrate art as it continues to be created; a vibrant, relevant and evolving dynamic.

We saw a wonderful exhibition of Stanley Kubrick's black and white photographs before he got into film making. Aside from the work itself, the site was intensely beautiful; the juxtaposition between the red silk walls, venetian glass chandelier and stark b & w photos was striking...

Venice- The Food

The local restaurant, Tosi, was steps away from where we stayed. This is where the locals go (and perhaps a handful of more adventurous tourists) to hang out...

The Parmesan & Arugula Pizza was my favorite!

I hadn't realized how huge sweet shops were in Venice. They seem to turn up every 10 paces and each is more spectacular than the last. The goodies not only look amazing but taste scrumptious as well. Part of the reason they taste so good is they are not overly sweet. You can actually taste flavors, not just 'sweet' the way so many North American desserts seem to be...

Add an expresso for the perfect combo. (Standing at the counter of course is about half the price compared to sitting down).
The coffee is out-of-this-world. The best. anywhere.

After a gallery visit we had 'toast' which is how they refer to all the sandwiches on display which get grilled after you order. Perfect comfort food. Yum.

Venice

I just returned from a one week stay in Venice- a city like no other; a city referred to as "the most beautiful in the world".

You quickly adjust your way of looking... you are in another reality in a sense...

Venice simply embodies grace and beauty everywhere in everything. From the street lights to the shop signs to the painted doorways and the ornate brass buzzers on all the apartment entrances to the filigreed grillwork on the most humble of windows...

We are incredibly lucky to have a close friend who had the courage to buy a flat here. It has become her 'go to' place several times a year. (she rents it out during the rest of the year). We stayed with her and were able to get a real feel for the place through her eyes. Shopping for fresh produce on the barge that parks on the canal by her flat, buying cheese at the local deli and eating pizza at the small restaurant right in front of her place was, well. heaven...

I will continue to post on Venice throughout the week... opera, galleries, special exhibits and amazing food... oh my, the food- thank goodness we walked for miles every day!

My New (Old) Studio

It all started with my amazing find of this vintage Steelcase Desk. Found at the
Salvation Army Thrift
for the glorious price of $19.99.

A week of de-cluttering later, here is my new and improved studio!
(yes, these ARE the after shots... you should have seen it before)...

I have 3 zones; my computer/desk set up,
my 'sewing central' by the window, and,
in between my paper zone where I can create cards or any other
graphic design type project.

my style is lots of color tempered by natural wood finishes
and grounded by the block of black & chrome
via the desk. it's happy, creative space that doesn't take itself
too seriously!

1960's Pop Art Cat Illustrations

Found.
2 1960's era framed cat illustrations.
(reproduction prints, not originals).
To Keep?
To Sell?
For now, to keep... loving them too much!

Ron Sexsmith Galbraith Street

I have become a huge fan of this Canadian singer/songwriter; Ron Sexsmith. His lyrical musicality and poetic phrasing leave me mesmerized...

Here he is in a pub in NYC, acoustic guitar in hand, just him and his words piercing the quiet, dark room. This has to be my all time favorite song of his.

I thought it a fitting choice for this weekend, the Canadian Thanksgiving.
A song about going home again- even if just in memory.