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I haven't painted for three weeks.

And yet I am overflowing with art.

From Florida to Ohio to Italy to Ohio and back to Florida again.  Everywhere art.  The Cleveland Art Museum, the Cleveland Youth Wind Symphony, a wand-maker (more about him in another post), Tuscany, Cinque Terre, Florence, Rome, the Vatican, the street artists and street musicians and graffiti and food and fashion.  All art.

My head is bursting with ideas, colors and movement.  My body is weary and aching and done in.  My neck and back...well, we won't even discuss them.
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painting withdrawal syndrome

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I will go gently into my studio and begin to process all I have seen and tasted and smelled and felt and thought.  There is too much.  I don't know where to begin.  But I know that I will start.  Even these little sketches, scribbly and scratchy - pen on paper - a beginning.

Some extra strong Italian coffee might be just the thing I need.  Our bus driver, Mariano, kept a personal espresso maker on the bus.  Maybe my studio needs one, too?  
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8 Comments
Dotty Seiter - 8 years ago
Jen, your post is timely. Though I've been posting regularly, recent posts reflect painting done days and days ago before our house filled with family and my studio dismantled itself as a studio and put on its former guest room costume. Guests leave tomorrow. My first step will be to start recreating my studio.

Can't wait to see what emerges from YOUR studio as your past three weeks percolate through you and manifest.
jen - 8 years ago
Dotty! The weebly gods have repaired the post reply function. YAY!

Recreating your studio will be glorious! Any time I move things around, I am unfused with new ideas and energy. This week I hope to move some paint around on paper...ha ha!
Nick Sortal - 8 years ago
When I was writing, I said all my good story ideas came from places that I had never been before. They hit almost like a bolt out of the blue. Meanwhile, when Mrs. Sortal and I went to Italy (we're almost art-challenged), it kind of hit us how much of art is related to their religion and history -- all intertwined.
jen - 8 years ago
Nick!!! My painting concepts are mostly from my own head, too! We are similarly inspired. But I am influenced by colors, movement, boldness, subtlety.

Italian art is highly religious and historical - almost to the point where it is difficult to process if one isn't Catholic or Italian! But the sheer magnitude of it all is stunning. The colors, the perspectives - the age of each piece. Overwhelming!
Carol Edan - 8 years ago
Wonderful sketch. One suggestion.Put it in Photoshop and blend with a photo..or abstract, walla a new inspiration! I remember that feeling when I returned from Morocco!

jen - 8 years ago
Carol! What a wonderful idea! I will play with that.

And Morocco! On my bucket list. I can smell the spices....
Carolyn - 8 years ago
Welcome home! Take some time to relax and nurture your body - it has taken quite a beating the last few weeks. I know you are anxious and ready to spread some paint and can't wait to see what your trip has inspired you to do.....Thank you for sharing your trip in photos - loved them all!
Mar - 8 years ago
Yes, Welcome Home!. I'm sure your boys are thrilled and Pongo too! Did you bring him back Italian puppy treats??
You were on a whirlwind trip and happy to read you're resting while processing all the beauty that surrounded you. You're studio will be on fire in no time. Looking forward to seeing where the paint will take a you. xoxo

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