Primavera

It's starting to get warm here in Florence. The crocus and daffodil are making their first appearances.

Many many things have happened between my last post and now; I've been to Rome for the first time, I went to an amazing art biennale in Bologna, I went to beautiful countryside cities of Assisi, Laverna, Parma and Mantova, and most recently St. Patrick's Day celebrations were wild.

In that time I also changed my whole plan for what I was going to do this semester. Instead of printmaking I decided to do illustrations in pen and watercolour. And if I had told of this when i decided about two months ago it would be a new development to say that I am now going to add some photos into this.

So.

I could overwhelm the blog with all 100 pieces I plan to have in our end of year show but I'll just show you a few for now, maybe add some later. I don't have all the frames yet so it is not mounted yet.





















What I am trying to capture in my work is that simplictis and small is more meaningful and beautiful than anything else. It remains even when large falls short. I hope that I can bring the wonder in the details and fleeting moments that I see to everyone that sees my art.

restless delays

So it's been a long time! Countless things have happened. I've told the stories so many times to my friends and family I feel like going into detail one more time will bore me to death!

I will try to sum it up as quickly and excitingly as possible.

We had our art show and finished school here in Florence, wine was ingested.

Then I went back to Canada for the holidays! I brought six bottles of wine in my luggage and only managed it because of Canada's special relationship, and my mastered doe-eyed look of confusion at the airport. I used one of my favourite pieces as cards for everyone, it's about palm sized.


I got to see my parents, my friends, my family, my dogs and have a last fling with my little prius before the lease is up. I drove back and forth from Fort Erie to Toronto a few times, about two hours each way. An enjoyable experience due to the delightful voice of Gerrard Doyle narrating Eragon book on tape. I did eight hours of shopping on boxing day, some of which can be seen in the first photo below.

After a kind of horrible snow storm caused my plane to get delayed in Buffalo, and I wasn't able to make it to Paris for New Years. Things ended up working out after one sleepless night and I spent new years in Florence, New Years day traveling, the next day in Paris.





Needless to say, the Eiffel Tower was my favourite. The two days after that in Belgum with my friend Ella at her parents house. I had a cherry beer at the Delirum cafe, with the most beers on menu in the world!


When I finally got back to Florence, I relaxed for my last week before school started! Stayed in mornings, and wandered around afternoon. I'll post some pictures from this adventure after I edit them!

Anyway after all this, I just want to leave you with a little bit of love in your hearts. This is my 'Let's Take It Slow' Playlist and you can listen to it on youtube.

1. City Life - Matthew Ryan
2. Beating - Noah and the Whale
3. Blackbird - The Beatles
4. I Want to Hold Your Hand - The Beatles
5. If There's Such a Thing as Love - Magnetic Fields
6. God Only Knows - The Beach Boys
7. The Air That I Breathe - The Hollies
8.Life Is Good Blues - Laura Veirs
9. Islands - The Xx
10. Little Bit - Lykke Li
11. Lust For Life - Girls

The Home of Hamlet

So it's about a week after I got back from Denmark and I think I am finally ready to make a post about it.

On a Thursday afternoon I had just packed up all my things, including all of the snacks I made the night before (sandwiches and chips!) and was on my way to the studio to print my tickets. By the time i had everything in order I had just missed the 12 30 bus by one minute and had to wait for the 1. Just the beginning of a day of waiting.

My Flight got delayed for an hour so I waited at the airport for about two and a half hours. Which wasn't so bad because I had just started Leonard Cohen's first novel The Favorite Game. When I got to my stop over in Frankfurt I had about a four hour wait. There wasn't much at this terminal of the airport so I found come goodies and settled down for some good girl time.


I drew this little guy on the plane! Where I had a seat between me and another guy in a row of three. So lovely!


Finally I arrived in Copenhagen to see Lene! Who lived with me when she was in highschool and I was two as an exchange student! I hadn't seen her in nine years! We just went straight to bed at her friends Gavin's house and I woke up the next morning to see swans on the canal outside! Probably the most amazing morning ever.


Then we joined them on the water in a boat bus and went to a town inside the city called Christiania. Which was a commune of people living illegally on old military land and in the barracks there. It was so beautiful because people were building whatever they want there despite the strict Danish building laws.


There are alot of drugs so it's in debate what should happen to the people who live there. Even those who have families not involved with that aspect and have been living there for years.


On the water it had more swans and birds that this pup was watching.


It also has some of the most wonderful graffiti I've ever seen.


Then we went to the National Gallery but no photos allowed inside. I saw real live Munch's which was amazing! Then we drove to Lene's town Odense and went out for drinks at one of her local cafe's.

Next day we had cheddar cheese for breakfast!! (We don't have any in Italy.) I got a block to take home with me. The plan of the day was to go shopping in city centre at Lene's favourite store! I was really impressed by the fact that they had sizes that fit me and also subtle artistic talent I found in the centre of the square.


I had the rest of the day to relax as Lene and her boyfriend Jan had previous plane. Since I had spent all my money I just spent the rest of the day lounging and watching Disney movies. All while wearing my new jacket! Later that night Lene's parents came over for a traditional Danish christmas dinner. I had these lovely beet patties instead of the meat and luckily everything else was vegetarian!


My last day I figured I had to do at least one extremely touristy thing so we went to Hans Christian Anderson's place of birth which is now a museum. I wanted Hansy's bed! It was cozy and under the stairs.


The Houses were so beautiful and if I was rich and moved to Denmark this is definitely where I would live.


There was also a few print shops around which was exciting, but sadly there were closed on Sundays. I have this really horrible shot of an old press used to print Hansy's books but it's such a beautiful piece of machinery it needs to be a part of the photos anyway.


After some lunch we traveled about an hour to Lene's school which I was really excited to see not only to see where Lene worked but also to go horseback riding! We took a trail through the forest and it was I think the best moment of the trip for me. To be on a horse in a forest with colourful leaves falling and to be able to smell two of my favourite smells (horse and autumn) at once was amazing!


It was a bit of a busy day so we just stayed home and watched Hairspray and next day I had to take a train into Copenhagan for the plane. Lene and I had to part ways once again!


Luckily I was cheered up at the airport by sweet sweeeeeeet starbucks chai latte and boxed tea (they don't have chai in Italy anywhere!) Also, toblerone and granola bars were my lunch.


And finally just before the sun set on my first of my two flights home I grabbed this shot.


And that basically sums up my journey.
I love Denmark.