In Italy, where we traveled this summer, everyone was taking photographs. So were we. But besides all the majestic architecture and classic art, Anne found amusement following other themes. Here is an assembly of some of what caught her eye.
For all these photos, click on the image, and maybe yet again, for a larger view.
Anne, with her i-Pad ever handy, looked down as well as up, and would find all manner of interesting things. Here a prickly lizard was almost disappearing what with the camouflage of its skin and the color of the concrete blocks. Who knows if it was aware of this protection?
Somebody designed all these, and should be glad at least Anne noticed. Click to enlarge.
As she went (and we did a lot of walking), Anne began to realize that the utility covers in the sidewalks and streets were of different designs. I suppose it’s another example of Italy’s “art everywhere.” (One of these is actually not a cover, but the pattern on another floor. Can you find it?)
Notice the one where the faceplate is gone. Who knows if it was working?
Another theme Anne began to notice late was the variety of apartment building resident identifiers and doorbells. Again, all different. And, again, one of these is not a doorbell at all, but looks similar. Can you spot it?
Whimsical, entertaining, and scattered in whatever places. Click to enlarge.
Another thing that intrigued Anne was all the graffiti. Apparently in Italy making graffiti is not illegal. And there can be quite a bit of creativity to it. In Florence, she started noticing the simple graphic statements in black, red and white, all with the signature, “K.” Notice in one he’s even painting out a message, and in another he’s painted out. (By him?)
Click to enlarge, maybe twice.
Here’s a theme of mostly black and white graffiti of various sizes. And one more utility cover, this one in a wall.
Click to appreciate better.
It was fairly late in the trip when we started noticing these “under water” themes. I believe they were all in Venice, which, as I think of it, would be appropriate. Once again, the artist signed them all. But is his name really “Blub”?
Not a bad seat. Is this precursor to a “self-driving bike”?
The variety and the quality of the artwork was mixed, but generally done with some thought. The wording might be in Italian or English . . . or whatever. Here a bicycling enthusiast reads a newspaper entitled, in French, “My Bike,” and in English says, I think, “Cars Suck.”
The one with the fish in the bowl is about six feet high. Click to enlarge.
The final theme here displays generally quite large expanses of wall art, including one underground tunnel that was completely lined on both sizes. Remember, we were in Italy to look at art. And we looked at lots. Most, however, ignored the stuff on the streets and the walls . . . except Anne, with her eye for many things.
Sandstone Gallery Show
For the month of October Anne’s work will be featured in the window and entry space in the Sandstone Gallery. The opening is during Laguna’s Art Walk, Thursday evening, October 1st, 6:00-9:00 p.m.
384 A North Coast Highway, Laguna Beach. One block north of the Laguna Art Museum, near the corner of Coast Highway and Jasmine.
Art Under Pressure
The only book quite like it, 120 pages of Anne’s prints as well as an explanation of the process.
A beautiful book to page through for inspiration and intrigue. $24.95.
Order on Amazon or directly through this website here.
Sketches of Italy
Another book that’s one of a kind. This one all drawings, done during a week in three cities, Rome, Florence, and Venice (as well as a day in Siena). The drawings are of other art works, classic architecture, or people on the streets . . . also peppered with musings and comments, sober or witty. $14.95. Order on Amazon or through this website, here.
Home and Studio Show, Dec. 5-6
Save the date. It will have been a year since our last studio show and many have asked about it. The next one will be the afternoons and early evenings of December 5 and 6. That’s the weekend after the Thanksgiving weekend.
33752 Big Sur, Dana Point, California. Come, and bring a friend.
2:14 pm
Hi Anne,
I love your photo’s. My husband loves to take graffiti photos. We recently went to Venice, Italy in June and got to see the bienellie it was so much fun. We stayed in Venice for 9 days in an apartment. It certainly was a great trip. I recently changed from cone 10 to cone 5&6 in my electric kiln for my ceramics Also doing some oil painting.
Hope to see you soon.
Ruth Doolittle
3:56 pm
Very interesting and fun! Thanks for sharing.
Susan
4:32 pm
Anne
I literally drool when viewing your prints. Lovely,wcxciting,inspiring and MORE.
Enjoyed the graffiti photos also. Love to you and Hyatt. Marty
4:46 pm
Anne,
I loved that you have taken the time for some of the eye catching and whimsical
drawings by random unkonwn’s. I loved the simple lines of the heart/people ones. I also
loved how you noticed/captured all the different “utility covers” so unique!!
I met you and Hyatt in Sacramento and I have had so much enjoyment out
of following the two of you in your travels and all the beautiful art from both of you.
Thank you both……You two compliment each other, beautiful couple!
Dana Mann
5:07 pm
These photos are so much fun! You’ve inspired me to use my camera in new ways on our upcoming trip to Germany and Greece. I particularly like the covers and intercoms!
10:42 pm
One of the best Blank Canvas blog posts. By far.
7:55 am
Creative and beautiful! I now realize I’ve missed some opportunities to see art. Really wonderful!
10:41 am
This is a ridiculously wonderful post! Anne, you’ve still got your “sense of wonder,” so rare these days, and so fun and whimsical. Most of us would never have come in for this closer look. Thanks for sharing.
7:45 am
Anne, you are a wonder of taking in all that God has given this world…. Thanks for sharing that gift with us.
3:28 pm
This is wonderful. So delightful and fun in the midst of serious art of the great masters. Thanks for sharing.
3:59 pm
Very fun! I love all the different series! Takes a creative mind , and eye to capture these images!
7:09 pm
You both play off of each other’s creaivity. What a nice couple who enjoy the same things. Beautiful work.
6:08 am
I really enjoyed Anne’s take on that sector of the world. What a wonderful, creative eye and mind!