Tuscan Memory ©Susan Morrison Sims
acrylic on paper (click on the image to enlarge. Click again to zoom and walk the paths with me :)
~~
Memory is the diary
that we all carry about with us.
~Oscar Wilde
~~
Hello dear hearts, how are all of you? Spring is tiptoeing in here, and I say I welcome, welcome! I am finding little messages of her arrival. Winged friends are happily singing while busily working preparing nests, and tiny splashes of green are sprouting from sleeping plants and trees. So it appears
Our beautiful earth is awakening from winter!
If you are not already seeing signs of spring, I hope you will soon!
Wilde’s words summed up my thoughts today, and this little painting. This place was in Tuscany near the village of Vagliagli, and I was there with painters, photographers, and writers from all over the world. I often painted alone from the cliff in the forefront or down in the valley, and I walked the road and little paths you see..by sun and by moon. I slept in two other farm houses down the road to the right beyond this image, but I ate many breakfasts and suppers in this farm house. It was there, seated at a long table among friends of old and new, that I learned to love a good glass of wine and many other things that traveling outside your usual world can bring!
Here is a little picture of one of those meals (some of you have probably seen this on my web site).
Dinner in Tuscany
(that’s me in the black top, looking at you)
It was in this time and space that my world and my soul expanded to places I had only dreamt of before. Memory entries (and paintings) now, forever etched within my heart. Often deep into the night when all is quiet and still, I return there to walk it in my mind. When all is quiet and still do you ever re-walk places in your mind? The good thing is we can choose the path we wish to walk…I finally learned that
I am the navigator of my dreams!
and…
so are you, dear ones!
Well, I’ll leave you for now. I have “dropped by” to check on some of you, and I hope to make it around to everyone in time. If it seems a very long time since I’ve left you a note..then please tell me! As I said last time I assure you, it is not intentional. Thank you again for all of your wonderful notes and emails!
I’ve grown quite fond of all of you, and may each you travel ….
From Dreams to Memories,
memories filled with…
Love, Light, and Laughter!
~gypsy-he♥rt
Ps This piece and Tuscan Mist (in my last post) will be among the art in a show in Soho, New York March 3-15. Here is the link to the actual show invitation: Shades of Italy (Just in case you happen to be in the area). I will not be flying there from Florida, so I would love some feed back. One of my new and dear blogging friends is planning to go, so I’ll tell you about his observations. :)
Also here is a link to: Il Chiostro Art work shops across Italy. I highly recommend them, and it is not simply for painters it is photography, writers, opera, cooking, jewelry, etc. These pieces and a few others came to be from my experience in that world. :)
I have more shows and such going on..another one next month coincides with Women’s History Month and I am very exicted and honored to have been invited. I’ll save that and other things for our next chat! So ta, ta for now.
~♥~
WOW! Your painting is beautiful!
I love it!
XX
-melissa
Oooh that painting is gorgeous! I love the hillside…I just want to go roll in the grass. =)
Tuscany sounds amazing…I want to go there someday and I think everyone should.
I’m so happy for spring! Here in Alaska, spring is a thing to celebrate, more so than most places. Here it’s warmed up considerably (it was ABOVE zero yesterday!!!) and the birds are blessing us with their songs. There is a lot to be thankful for!!!
Have a wonderful day!
The painting looks like Napa Valley – even though it is in Tuscany !
You look QUITE sexy in the picture – your energy is very sensual !
And I have missed your comments – glad to see you back, even if it is just occasionally :)
Loving Annie
http://www.truetraveltreasures.blogspot.com
very pleasing as always my friend!
Another masterpiece. Thanks for sharing.
Hello! Another lovely picture. As Alice says, it makes you want to roll on the grass.
Dinner looks cheerful.
Good luck with shows.
xx
hello dear one,
it’s so nice to see you again and this painting…oh this painting and the farmhouse…when I blew it up and saw that house, I resonated immediately with it! lucky you to have had such a dream come true experience…much love to you and thank you for your sweet words ;)
love, linda
this is another beautiful painting, Susan!
And I love the photo, too! Those are the kinds of moments that make a life really blessed! Thanks for sharing :)
Your memory is absolutely breath taking. . . Oh it seems so peaceful beautiful on that hillside. What a blessing it must be to be gifted to encapsulate your memories in such beautiful paintings! You’re staying really busy here lately, lady! You seem to do it quite well Wonderful! PLL, C
This work SO reminds me of the parable of the Sower – you have ALL the right parts included in it! (Did you know that?)
Fabulous.
RPS
Beautiful scene, and the dinner with artists from all over the world—well, what a great opportunity to make friends. You really have a serene beauty about you; it comes out in that photo.
Hi Susan. I found you through Intenseguy’s blog. Your paintings and writings are fascinating. My hubby taught art for over 30 years, so even though I am hopeless at art, I have learned an appreciation for it. Thank you for sharing you with us.
Very lovely painting and photo. Both looking so good.
From dreams to memories… another lovely write accompanied by art… beautiful energy as always . Namaste Gypsy
The light underneath the grapevines….makes me want to curl up and soak in the last bits of the sun. Beautiful!
I hope you get to go back soon. Someday I’ll get to Italy…and France and Ireland and Greece and China and…and…and…. LOL!
We just got our first little flowers. The yellow crocuses in the front. My little girl was SO excited.
Blessings and sparkles!
Good Evening Dear Gypsy-Heart!
I remember seeing this photo of you and your friends having that scrumptous dinner on your website and thinking how beautiful you looked! And also wishing I was there having a glass of fabulous Italian red wine with you all!!
Lovely piece you share here today. It almost looks like a photograph!
And I can so identify with your words…
…”It was in this time and space that my world and my soul expanded to places I had only dreamt of before.”
This how I felt when I lived in Japan for a summer. Visiting there actually altered my soul. I felt completely transformed in some deep way.
I’m so glad to hear about your art shows coming up in the next few months – I’m so EXCITED for you! And living in Philly, I should get my ass over to NYC to see your showing in Soho, in March!!
You sound so very happy and full of creativity, dear friend!
Yes, Spring will be here before you know it. Although, lately we’ve been getting some FREEZING temps here in the north. I can’t wait to see all the little flowers waking up soon!
Love ya!
*Melissa~ Hello and thank you so much for taking the time to visit and leave such a kind note!
xx to you too!
*Alice~ thank you dear..so glad you like it. Yes, you most certainly should go there someday!
I am glad you are seeing signs of spring..though I can’t even imagine being happy about it being above zero!!! I like a zero behind an 8 or at least a 7!! :)
I agree there is a lot to be thankful for!
I hope you are having a lovely week!
*Annie~ Yes they do look very similar..either place is a good place to be!
Sexy and sensual …hmmm must have been the wine. hee, hee I did get over to see you and I plan to get back soon.
*Daz~ I thank you..my friend!!
*Leafless~Ah…you are much to kind with your words..but I appreciate the thought!!
*Jessica~ Wondering those hills is the best..and so are the meals there with old and new friends! Thank you!
*Linda~ Thank you dear…so glad you like it. I love old farm houses too! I will be over to see you soon!
Love back to you!
*Grace~ Thank you..and you are right those moments are the blessings. :)
*CordieB~ Thank you so much for your sweet words and for leaving a note. I know you are busy too! I’ll be over soon.
P,L,L to you too!
*Preacherman ~ Thank you..you are always such a inspiration! I will have to check out The Sower again! :)
Nice to see you on Facebook. I am still figuring it out..not sure how involved I’ll be on there…just too many distractions everywhere on this thing!! :O
*Ybonesy~ Thank you..it was an amazing experience and a serene one. Amazing how much better you feel body and soul when you are away from the stress of every day life!
*Deanna~ Hello and thank you for stopping by and leaving your kind note. Iggy is such a wonderful soul isn’t he! I will have to get over to see your site! :)
*wrJ (Bill)~ thank you my friend..I hope you are staying out of trouble! Though I doubt it. eh, eh, eh
*Enreal~ such sweet words..as always. I do miss our visits. I plan to get over there soon to read your beautiful words!
Namaste’ to you!
*Anjolie~ Yes the sun sounds soooo good right now. It is still cold here in Florida!
I’m sure you will go to those places someday…just think positive!!
How wonderful that you are sharing the beginning of spring with your little girl! Seeing new life break through the earth is such a magical thing!
Blessings and sparkles to you too!
*Ron, dear heart~ I’ve missed our chats and our laughs!
I am in a good place right now…a little too much going on, but all good.
I am not flying up so if you happen to go let me know what you think.
I hope little flowers are breaking the earth in your world..if not now..very soon!!
Love Ya back!
This is beautiful! Thanks for stopping by my little corner of the virtual Universe. I have enjoyed catching up on all of the beauty you have been creating!
*soul hugs*
Kalliope
This painting is so amazing, with its detail, and it really appears to me as a memory that you have; it is so funny, not just an image, a creation, but a memory indeed. I would love to travel to Italy someday, and believe that I will in my journeys, just to walk the hills, drink the wine, and get inspired. Thank you for sharing this with us; keep us posted on how the Soho show is received; I am sorry that I will not be able to to see it in person, but look forward to hearing about it soon! Peace and hugs to you gypsy! V.
Hello dear Susan! As always you have inspired me with this wonderful post. Oh Tuscany is gorgeous, isn’t it? It’s definitely on my list of places to visit someday.
As much as I love the winter months I too am feeling the positive and beautiful coming of spring. It’s been rainining pretty steadily here the last couple of weeks (and more to come!) and I love the rain and the gentle breeze rustling the leaves. But yesterday in my running around I passed a huge tulip tree that must have been at least 30 feet tall, grand and majestic and entirely decorated with beautiful lavender tulips against a backdrop of gray and black clouds, shining like a beacon. It took my breath away!
It reminded me that even in the darkness we shine, we glow, we steer the stars, and yes, we navigate our own dreams. Thank you so much for your priceless wisdom and your beautiful heart!
The theme for the 2009 Philadelphia Flower Show is “Bella Italia” and as usual, the flowers and the layouts are stunning. I compared and contrasted your painting to the scenes found at onThe Flower Show’s website. Your painting has that openess that the endless vista you tease us with by hiding some of it behind the hill – and the same brilliance and promise for the day that the flowers at the show have…
I find your painting more comforting than the dazzle of the flower show however; it has the fullness of the earth’s bounty warmed by your choice of colors.
And of course – the picture of you sharing a companionable meal comprised of that very same earth’s bounty – your light shines through – I hope you are well – your happiness is evident in both your works and your words.
I love the painting. It almost looks like a song…the composition and the way it’s painted…for me it has different notes around the composition.
I stayed 3 weeks in Tuscany. My friends lived in Lucca. It brought back some great memories!
I Love the way you described the coming of spring as tiptoeing in …very poetic. Can’t wait for spring to spring….loved these pictures too…i always enjoy reading your blog..