Don...

ITALY 2013: The last stretch...

Thu, Oct 17th, 2013 Italy reveals itself like a fine wine. Delicious at first and then layered with expressions along every sensory surface! The more I drink her in, the deeper I fall in love.

I know this is the land of my family...and in some way I am not impartial....and yet, there is a love of life, food & friendship here that is breath-taking. I am so familiar with the Italian laughter...the joyfulness...and the eruptions of emotions. I see my grandmother in every elderly woman walking along the streets and my mothers expressions and temperament everywhere.

I now have a deeper understanding of their love affair with pasta....and their propensity to eat...but only good, healthy and delicious food. The auto driving is maddening, they seem abrupt and impatient and yet it is just the way it is....nothing is personal.

Living among the foggy hills of Tuscany on a wet October month reveals layers of beauty between the clouds. The fabric of the landscape, the tastes and abundant varieties of olive oil and the indulgence of wines from hilltops near and far. It is all so perfectly Italy, and only known by a visit in person.

All this is the backdrop for an intense week of creation and exploration. Our group of 14 is done creating...now we are in firing mode. Kit still paints while her sketches are filling into full paintings, the pile of finished ones is getting bigger. The creativity of finishing is finding its way into the hearts of each clay lover.

The diversity of personality and aesthetic is rivaled by our joint love of Italy and process. Our diversity meets at the wedging table and then we share and laugh at the dinner table. It is a beautiful thing....a momento that will never be repeated. In this way, our cohesive group is sacred.

This is not to say we are not without dynamics. Rarely do you get a group of strangers together for an intensive time and not meet resistance. It is not that there is none, rather it is how we negotiate its path and learn from its lessons. For me, the lessons are great and will resonate for months and probably years to come. And I am grateful for each member and what they bring to this experience. Here is a glance of the people and the work being made.....



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Faye...
Faye...

Faye...
Faye having fun...
Faye having fun...

Faye having fun...
Debbie from vale...
Debbie from vale...

Debbie from vale...
Mark & Kit
Mark & Kit

Mark & Kit
Ilana, Lou and Brenda
Ilana, Lou and Brenda

Ilana, Lou and Brenda
Don and Alison
Don and Alison

Don and Alison
Mary at the wheel..
Mary at the wheel..

Mary at the wheel..
Claudia!
Claudia!

Claudia!
Pietro!!
Pietro!!

Pietro!!
And Charlie...
And Charlie...

And Charlie...
Claudia & Rachel
Claudia & Rachel

Claudia & Rachel
Betty, a hero @ 85!
Betty, a hero @ 85!

Betty, a hero @ 85!
Debra...exploring..
Debra...exploring..

Debra...exploring..
Wine and cheese
Wine and cheese

Wine and cheese
A Tuscan sunrise
A Tuscan sunrise

A Tuscan sunrise
A panoramic view
A panoramic view

A panoramic view
Mary & Tom
Mary & Tom

Mary & Tom

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