Cathryn McEwen

Sink or Swim

2012-01-29T16:51:00.000-08:00

My latest painting "Sink or Swim" says it all for 2012. I've completed about 14 paintings since August 2011 (at the Ondarte International Residency in Akumal Mexico), and am now looking for gallery representation world wide.
You can see the rest of the paintings on cathrynmcewen.com... the series is entitled Water Works www.cathrynmcewen.com/water-works-2011.html

Water Works

2011-10-09T00:17:00.003-07:00

Getting 'into the flow' and working on my new series 'Water Works' which you can view on cathrynmcewen.com. After a successful exhibition at Gallery Aloft in Sydney Australia earlier this year, this series is a return to my interest in body language. This new series was begun and exhibited at the Ondarte Artist Residency in Akumal Mexico, where I was invited in July to be included in their first group of artists. 'Water Works' as a series deals with figures in water and is a continuation of my interest in body language, emotion and narrative. My intention is to extend the concept of a portrayal of a figure using the water to express something more about them through reflection or the surface qualities; an alter ego, a deeper emotion, a secret desire, or a darker side of the person involved. I am also busy looking for gallery representation around the globe on the back of the work I have achieved this year!

Adaptability

2011-08-19T00:10:00.000-07:00

Adaptability can be good for the soul and one’s work. I have just completed 4 weeks at the Ondarte Residency in Akumal Mexico and several new paintings with a welcome return to figurative work.

It’s easy for us to play it safe, but then what’s the point of making safe art? I highly recommend a residency experience for those of you who are looking for a way to move forward in your work. When you put yourself in a position of vulnerability; a totally new environment; surrounded by a group of new individuals/artists that you live, eat and work with on a daily level; in a foreign country with a foreign language and sometimes unfamiliar customs; and faced 24 hours with your self and your work … you will surface changed in one or many ways. This can be very beneficial for your work especially. It gives the artist a chance to explore, experiment with new methods and ideas, and the benefit is a new group of friends and contacts from other parts of the world.

I also recommend staying as long as you can in order to get into a new body of work… this takes time even when you have al the time in the world for your work. Of course there are distractions, especially here in Mexico, but they will have to wait until the end of the month. For now, happy and busy and working toward a strong start to a whole new direction – for the better! Viva Ondarte and residencies in general!

Ondarte International Residency Exhibition July 23 2011

2011-07-21T22:15:00.000-07:00

I've only been here at the Ondarte Artist Residency in Akumal on the Mayan Riviera of Mexico for 2 weeks and have already completed 3 paintings. Love it here and I'm looking forward to another month with a new group and more painting!
The residency is holding an open house for us on the 23rd of July and because we are the first group of artists, everyone is talking about the event and coming from far and wide! Thank you for the exposure Ondarte, and for the opportunity to be here! I know this place is destined to be one of the best as it is already world class in my book!
My latest work explores figures with the dualities of their ‘potential’ hidden psyches incorporated through the use of distorted reflections in water and through the use of shadows. I am interested in the idea of expressing an alter ego within a figurative representation, perhaps to reveal an underlying ‘darker’ side, or a hidden trait or association, or even a truer ‘self’.

Paradise Found! - by Cathryn Mc Ewen

2011-07-15T15:10:00.001-07:00

Ondarte International Artist Residency
Akumal Mexico

Hola! This is something that has to be shared! I was picked up at Cancun airport one week ago for a two month stay and have settled in nicely to life at Ondarte and as predicted, one day might be paint, pool, paint, pool… the next day sun, sand, snorkel…. and the next, might be a combination. The mix of artists is great, the premises outstanding, and the surroundings – simply magic. For instance, one crawls out of bed, goes for a swim in the nearby lagoon teaming with all varieties of colourful fish or jumps on a bike and rides in to ‘town’, perhaps at this time of year, lucky enough to catch a turtle digging a nest which will hatch in 60 days…. then it’s back to the studios and getting down to the business of making art. Paradise or what?!

The studios are outside under a giant palapa where we work day and/or night, depending on the collective mood. But it’s easy to stay and work all day, serenaded by the many birds with the fan blowing beside you and the pool not far away to cool off even more. Hot but good, and it’s to be expected for the middle of the summer. The tropics may take some adjusting for some but having lived in Australia for 28 years, I was happy to get away from the Sydney ‘cold’ of winter. And I couldn’t have picked a better spot…

Already, an exhibition of our work is planned for July 23 where all of the locals and tourists have been invited. The entire town is looking forward to the event. There are many expat Americans in this hidden oasis on the Mayan Riviera, so the idea of international artists coming to the area has been welcomed with open arms. And that’s what you will find with the friendly folk around here – open arms. The ruins of Tulum and Coba are closeby, and further supplies can be found in Playa del Carmen, a half hour north.

I’m looking forward to the coming weeks and achieving the goal of a strong body of work, so stay tuned for weekly installments! Hasta luego!

Dogma

2011-01-30T04:03:00.000-08:00

An exhibition of my paintings February 16 to March 5 2011
Gallery Aloft, 660 Darling Street Rozelle NSW 2039

“Cani - può vivere con loro, non potrei vivere senza di loro.”
(“Dogs - can live with them, couldn’t live without them.”)
C McEwen 2011
I noticed Dogs initially as a potential focus for painting from my time in Berlin, and started some canvases early in 2009. Dogs were everywhere - which was not surprising given most Berliners live in apartments. I was impressed at how well they behaved in small places – more noticeably on the crowded trains. Dogs there seemed to have a more important status alongside the human inhabitants, being allowed in the restaurants, bars, and shops – anywhere their owners were found.
From there, I made my way across the south of Europe in April 2010, and completed a few more paintings in Barcelona, where Dogs were also a big part of everyday life. My travels culminated in a two month invitation to the MIRA artist residency in June/July, in the small rural town of Martignano in the south of Italy, where I didn’t expect there to be many Dogs at all. But they were everywhere.
I soon discovered that there is a huge problem with stray dogs in Italy – I expected stray Cats, but not Dogs. But in Martignano, about 10 years ago, a few of the children – now prominent citizens of the town – ‘adopted’ a few of the more exceptional puppies as “pets”. These animals were the ones to greet me everywhere I went in town and they were all known to the inhabitants who cared for, fed, and accepted them as part of their town life. There were happy dogs everywhere you went, and I never heard of any problems. Like their other European counterparts, these Dogs also knew they were on to a good thing – a harsher existence but still a good thing. Where every other town in the area seemed to have a problem with strays – the people here were smart enough accept them. It soon became apparent to me that if all the surrounding towns were to adopt the same practice, the stray Dog problem would be noticeably reduced. I enquired if a few of the local children could possibly take over the care of the animals and continue the good deed started by a handful of individuals. The next generation could then potentially learn to respect and care for these lovely animals. This was readily accepted as a viable and positive option.
In getting to know the individual Dogs, they became special to me too. I felt lucky to have experienced this relationship – they would never beg for food, they only seemed to be happy with the connection of someone talking to them (even in a foreign language) and a familiar face. At least that’s what I imagined for myself. They seemed to understand my concern for them. I get that bond every time I come in contact with Dogs especially, wherever I am, and I’m sure most people would say the same. You don’t have to be a pet owner to feel the connection. And we shouldn’t take this connection for granted, but honour it and learn from it. The lovely people of Martignano have.
Wouldn’t the world be a lonely place without Dogs. These wonderful animals have been associated throughout history with possessing our more positive human traits – traits such as protectiveness, guidance, loyalty, generosity, and companionship, and the outcome is that this evokes these positive emotions in us.
It’s disappointing that our capacity to feel this basic instinctive bond with this animal is not practiced with our fellow man in our everyday global existence, and leads me to conclude and therefore believe, that Dogs probably possess a higher intelligence.

More about the dogs can be found in Cathryn’s blog at http://www.cathrynmcewen.com/blog.html

Warning! Watch out for Artist Vultures!

2010-10-04T18:33:00.000-07:00

Recently I was approached by a "curator" asking me to submit works for an exhibition they were organising in a large American city at the end of this year. Naturally I was interested and asked for more details. I also did a search on this person to ensure they were reputable. Everything looked great until I received further details from this "curator" asking for 3 specific works and .... a submission fee to be included of 2500 euros!?! (Which would bring the price up considerably!) The gallery would then take a further percentage of any sales!

You do the sums, but the "curator" would be the only one making any money here. And to me this is outrageous - no matter what their reputation is. It's a huge win for the curator and huge loss for any artist.

Even with a potential 50% of sales, most artists are out of pocket before they start with most exhibtions. They must for any framing, are expected to send or deliver the works, insure the works, pay a percentage of their sales to the gallery, and now often have to pay for the invitations and the opening!

Why is this "curator" asking for so much money? Pure greed. It should not be necessary if they are inviting the artist for a specific exhibition. Why not take a 10% cut of sales, give 30% to the gallery and everyone would win! They would have the prestige of the exhibition, and for providing a professional service that serves both themselves, the gallery, and the artist.

My suggestion - if you are approached with a similar unreasonable "offer" - refuse. You are better off getting a group of artists together and approaching a gallery (just like they have) - and doing it yourself. Whether you are an emerging artist or a professional - weigh up the costs first of paying someone as a go-between - and ask yourself if it is really worth it - on any level.

MIRA MIRA on the Wall

2010-08-17T11:08:00.000-07:00

I am writing this about two weeks after leaving Martignano, Italy and, as a follow-up to my previous blog, “The Power of 10”, I am happy to announce good news and a lovely ending to a perfect artist residency at MIRA – and a couple of nice stories about the dogs of Martignano, which had become a focus of my painting and time there.
To summarise, it seemed that Martignano has successfully found a way to care for the stray dogs in the town in an area of Italy where stray and abandoned animals are a big problem. One lovely man (who incidently pays out of his own pocket when the dogs require being de-sexed or are in need of medical attention), told me of growing up with 5 or so of these dogs that are now about 10 years old. He recalled that the dogs would play football (soccer) with the children and seemed to even understand the point of the game. They gave the dogs names and the townspeople came to recognise and call them by name.
When you ask about the dogs, they are quick to tell visitors an amazing (and true) story of how special and so much a part of the community these dogs have become. It seems that when someone in the town passes away, the dogs convene and actually lead the funeral procession to the deceased’s house, as a miraculous show of respect! How special is this relationship and these particular dogs, not to mention show how much these animals can sense way beyond our normal expectations.
At the end of July, I participated in an exhibition at the Palazzo Palmieri in Martignano (along with 3 of the other MIRA artists). Of 7 canvases, 2 were of the local dogs that lived there – Turbo and the wee dog I called “Bella”. In my artist statement, I stressed the need for a continuing fund to help these and other dogs in the town, in order that a few caring individuals providing food and necessary medical care for them had some further support, and not have to pay out of their own pockets. I was happy to give a small percent of any sales toward starting this fund and urged anyone wanting to help in any way, to contact the local council. It occurred to me that the successful relationship between the people of the town and the dogs would potentially stop if these few people were ever to move on, or if funds were limited. It was my hope that a regular source of funding be available through donations and that this would be a much more suitable solution than a “dog pound” approach. I also believe it is possible that the example set by Martignano, could be followed by the other towns in southern Italy (as a start).
Of the hundreds of visitors during the San Pantaleone weekend festivities in the town, ultimately the most important visitors to the exhibition were a few local children. As it turned out, they were moved by my artist statement, and realised how much a part of their lives these dogs had actually become! And they came to me eagerly with the perfect solution! Just as these dogs were being cared for by a handful of people who grew up with them, it made perfect sense that the children of Martignano as the next generation, should now take over the responsibility for the care of the dogs. It should be easy to organise themselves to take turn in caring for the dogs, perhaps with the help of their teachers and parents. Regular donation drives for a small fund would help with any costs. And even if just a few of them ultimately watch out for the animals as time went by, it would still be a wonderful result for a successful and ongoing process of care.
I left the town and MIRA with the feeling that my time there was very worthwhile, not only for the artistic experience, but for the opportunity to learn more about this lovely relationship I was witnessing. I hope the people of Martignano continue to successfully solve the problem of stray dogs in the area by including them in their lives and remaining a charming addition to the community. I also hope that surrounding towns are able to learn from this and trial it for themselves. It’s a beautiful relationship worth keeping, and I felt privileged to have seen it work with my own eyes. Thank you Martignano and thank you to MIRA residency for artists! I invite you to have a look at the resulting paintings from my time there at cathrynmcewen.com

The Power of 10

2010-07-19T06:54:00.000-07:00

Week 6 MIRA artist residency and my time here is “drawing” to an end. (Couldn’t help myself!) The exhibition of the four of us: myself, Margherita Martinelli (Italy), Angela Ginn (Northern Ireland) and Hilary Robin Schmidt (New York), who have been here over June and July, opens this Friday night the 23rd of July and is running concurrently with the annual San Pantaleone Festival, Saint Pantaleone being the patron saint of Martignano.
For me, this has been a very worthwhile and rewarding experience on many levels and MIRA comes highly recommended in my book. The bonus for me has been the opportunity to meet some very special people in this small, quiet, rural town and I have felt welcomed for a brief time, to be a part of it.
There are many fond memories I am taking with me, but my favourite will be the experience of wandering back to the residence from the studio late each night and being greeted by several of the town’s other inhabitants - the local dogs (please see my previous Blog #4 “Message in a Bottle”). Two of these particular well-known locals are “featured” in a series of paintings I have completed here; one is called “Turbo”, and the other I have named “Bella”. I noticed recently from a photo I had of Turbo that there was a huge gash in his forearm and made some inquiries as to whether I could get some help for him. As it turns out, several caring citizens had already attended to him. Turbo had been grazed by a car, and after they have made several approaches to help him (because he kept licking off the medicine and bandages), I can now report that he is happily wandering around town again with much more energy.
I was curious to discover who cares for these particular animals who are so much a part of the local character. They are obviously accepted by the people of the town, which is lovely, but how do they survive? I noticed that they are fed and watered, but who pays for their medical needs? As they have given me so much (free models!), I thought perhaps I could do something small for them. I had the opportunity to meet with the Mayor to discover if the dogs were a problem and if not, how is this town successful in taking care of them where other towns are not? (Stray and abandoned animals are apparently a huge problem in Italy).
(Note: there are still stray dogs in the area, but several have been here long enough and are fortunate enough to have been “adopted” by the townspeople. I am hoping that through awareness of the problem of strays, a solution can be found.)

It seems that three individuals here volunteer their own time and money to help these animals. That’s all it takes. And I will try and do what I can by donating 10% of any sales I make during the exhibition to the community. If I don’t make any sales then I will start a fund. I can also create some awareness through reaching both the local citizens, and visitors to Martignano who attend the exhibition.
Here’s where I step up onto the soapbox. Consider this if you will. If every artist or gallery gave a small percentage of their sales to any worthy cause, big or small, local or global, think of the difference we would make collectively. Perhaps this is how we can find a voice as a cultural power - beyond what we know we already provide to the greater good of society.
Consider it… that’s all I ask.

Message in a Bottle

2010-07-10T05:02:00.000-07:00

Weeks 4-5 @ MIRA and working steadily on the glass imagery – playing further with texture and really enjoying the process, but not the result as much now. But this is a healthy and necessary part of the artistic process, especially in this new surrounding. This is exactly why I have chosen to do a residency – to give myself the opportunity to explore other options – to play with techniques and imagery that I may not have otherwise explored. I find it frustrating that many residencies cater to only the younger emerging artists, when even established artists need to take a break from their usual work – or even have the chance to see it in a new light. MIRA has offered this, at this point in my career, and I am grateful. I am certain others share the same needs and I would highly recommend a “holiday” with your work – away from the factors that perhaps inhibit or stagnate and keep you from the luxury of going sideways that we all deserve – and need.

As I said in an earlier blog, I had to leave to come back again. Where I went was sideways. I gave myself the opportunity and I have come back from this journey refreshed and looking backward and forward with renewed energy and confidence – and perhaps a theme to return to someday… but now I find Martignano has provided me with another gift that I wish to explore – or return to. When I left Berlin on my way here in April, I had decided to focus on the theme of dogs – a subject I have painted previously, but I wanted to do a body of work – up BIG and BOLD. I had started about 8 studies, but as I started travelling I found it difficult to find opportunities for collecting imagery and there was no guarantee that I would find what I needed to continue this theme at the MIRA residency. I could have stayed with this plan but I was deteremined to try the glass idea first - to see what I could do with it and to see what it would give me – and I am glad I stuck to that plan. But having had a quick peek into the glass as a subject, I now wish to return to the dogs as a tribute to Martignano and my time here.

I had no idea that Martignano would have a dozen or more local characters (dogs) to study! I never imagined that there would be dogs here (cats yes, having visited Turkey, Greece, and Croatia), but not so many stray dogs. It is definitely a problem, but I was heartened that the beautiful people of this town let them roam, feed them, put bowls of water out for them and they are part of the character of this place - a wonderful character. The animals are not as healthy as they should be, but they are gentle and seem happy. It is a lovely thing to see. Rather than putting them a shelter, this is ideal - if there is funding for the animals that are here to be spade/neutered, I think they would actually be happier. Later perhaps there might be a facility to find homes for these gorgeous animals, but the system seems to work here - at least the animals are tolerated as part of the town. I have no idea if this is unique to Martignano, but I am going to find out more. If it is a problem, would it be better to work with what already exists? I will ask the Mayor here for some history and get his comments. Perhaps this could lead to something else – who knows – but I need to follow this one.

There are 2 dogs in particular that I have come to adore. I can’t say I pet them or feed them – I actually do not want to start something in fear that it will disrupt the natural process of things – I am an outsider and I am seeing Martignano through my naïve North American / Australian experience. It is different here and I am aware that I should do my homework first before barrelling in wanting to “fix” things. I will be leaving here soon and I cannot create change but I can create awareness – or I might find that it is a symbiotic system that doesn’t require change, but just “is”.

But … these 2 dogs and I have a special and very enjoyable bond. They seem to recognise me and follow for a while. They welcome me whenever I am out. (See Blog #1 “The Art of Bus Travel”) Why me? I know it’s probably because they are just hungry, but animals have a way of communicating and these 2 have spoken to me. Gorgeous souls who have a very rough life and yet seem to be better behaved than most pets!

So I am now determined to create a tribute to them and the lovely people of this small town – and the gift is a return to my original idea, something I might not have followed had I not come to this particular place! Salute Martignano and all its inhabitants and Salute MIRA! My paintings should be finished in the next 2 weeks and up on cathrynmcewen.com

The Glass Menagerie

2010-06-29T10:52:00.000-07:00

Week 3 MIRA Artist Residency Martignano Italy
…and so I listened to my heart – looking for some truth and connection to what I was exploring with the Roman glass as a subject (see my previous blog “home is where the art is”). I worked through all sorts of imagery and textural qualities in an attempt to capture the essence of history and contrast of materials (glass and stone/earth). Venturing around the area helped me connect more with history, colours, and textures – especially a trip to Otranto, and the Puglanese stone of the city walls and architecture. Upon returning to the studio, I tried to add this into the paintings, with some success.

The paintings still have my 'stamp' (style) and interesting cropping but there seems to be something missing – that certain personal emotional connection that I get with my other work. There is no point for me in doing these paintings if they are only just colour and texture. This is when I trusted that it would solve itself. I shouldn’t think about it too much – just let the natural process of exploration happen…

Trying to instill emotion into inanimate objects is difficult enough and something I recalled that Matisse had written when I saw his work in Nice,

“(the object) only says what one makes it say” XXe siecle #2 Janvier 1952

encouraged me to keep up the challenge. Then one morning it struck me – these objects don’t have to be still – I can give them a life, and retain a connection to my previous work through movement!

But the objects themselves are so removed from the museum settings that now they seem to have lost the characteristics of ancient Roman glass pieces that I was seduced by on the first place. Does it matter??

No .

Now they have become something else and taken on a new life – now they have become personal and reflecting my life in many ways – a truth that I didn’t expect, but welcome. A nice realisation and opening up more doors for possibilities… the challenge continues – at least for a while.

"I had to leave to come back again" or... "home is where the art is"

2010-06-19T07:24:00.000-07:00

Life at an artist residency end of Week 2

I am certain this is not an original title, but it suits me for the moment. And this moment is a realisation that, where I have been the tourist for the larger part of the past 2 years that the chance to stop for a moment is providing a flood of connections and helping me to focus on my painting with a renewed energy and insight. After taking in the south of Europe stretching from Spain to Croatia for the past two months, I now find myself in the south of Italy, and the small town of Martignano at MIRA (Martignano International Residency for Artists) for another two months. I have had 2 years without a real “home base” and exposed to the various cultures, languages, history, and places - collecting these moments in photographs. And of course I have had sporadic moments of painting, but the results have been disjointed because of this. It has been too easy for me to be bombarded and seduced by so many potential subjects – I am now faced with where to start. Do I pick up where I left off or challenge myself with something new? So the actual (painting) journey begins… and what I am faced with are three major considerations: myself, being here, and my work – and the order of their surfacing for attention changes from day to day. I had decided a few months back to take up the challenge of a new subject – well not entirely new for me – but the idea of bringing the beautiful roman glass museum pieces I had seen since Barcelona back to “life” appealed to me, and it seemed fitting as a place to start being here on Italian soil! I had collected hundreds of photos from the museums along the way of exquisitely ancient, crude, and fragile glass objects – once functional, uncovered from their burial places, and now preserved further, behind museum glass. A miniature world of history, texture, colour, time, culture, wrapped up in a miraculously tentative combination of sand (earth), fire, water and air! How did such a fragile material survive two millenniums under the pressure of being buried metres underground? What a potentially ‘juicy’ subject! I was seduced by the potential I saw to try and capture all of these recent experiences and visual qualities – and I had collected so much to work with - and so I began… I had to stop being the tourist and plant myself firmly in my work. This is not an easy thing to do – the only familiar things to hold on to are me, and my history. Everything else is different and new and always attracting my attention. I need to ‘break through’ all the newness of this place and get back to me - and the first 2 weeks at MIRA have given me this necessary journey. I have poured out eight paintings - exploring texture, colour, and trying to capture time and history and still try to be true to me – and the contant struggle with “is it working?”. At this point in time I feel like I am torn between returning to the familiar or journeying forth. As as dear friend reminds me, I hear the words, “listen to your heart”…

the art of bus travel - martignano, italy june 2010

2010-06-12T09:17:00.000-07:00

week 1 in Martignano, Italy @ MIRA (Martignano International Residency for Artists) and although it's been a whirlwind of meeting the locals and getting to know the town itself and some of the surrounding area, I've managed to get down to business in the beautiful new studio.
I will talk about the studio "journey" in successive blogs - but for now I want to describe what it's like to be here - in Solento, in the south of Italy (the "heel" of Italy) - and for me, so much more "real".
Whenever one travels, adjustment to new places and customs is a given, and you have to expect that as much as you might like to make plans, keep to a schedule, or depend on a "system", that these things are often completely out of your hands. The rhythm of each new place is what you grow into and the new experiences gained in learning this rhythm are so much fun! (I say "are" here, rather than "can be" as even the most seemingly disastrous events can provide an unexpected turn - the beauty of the synchronicity that change provides - and in my case at this point in my life, it's good and necessary change, and fun!)
As I have been travelling for some time now (almost 2 years!), I am used to adjusting to this rhythm - the last two months have required an adjustment every 5 days on average with each new place - and I am constantly being challenged to adapt. These challenges are also helping me understand myself better.
Language (or lack of) is one big problem, but it is possible to move around and connect with your surroundings with broken moments of communication. Somehow I make myself understood - or at least I think I do! - and find the information I need.
On day 5 of my 2 month residency, after exhausting the supplies I had with me, I needed to find an art supply store to replenish and stock up for the next few weeks. I was told there was a bus from Martignano to Lecce that made several trips every day and there was a large art store there where I would find everything I needed.
Bus schedule in hand and my return tickets from the local tabacci shop, I stood below the "FERMATA" sign across from the local (caffe) bar in the hot sun of midday and waited (10 minutes early) for the 12:25 bus. It is easy to be entertained while waiting - watching the locals drive past, dodging the cars that jump out from the side streets; or waiting for one of the local street dogs to get hit as they cross back and forth along the one main street whenever a potential new person or "handout" appeared; or listening to the casual chatting either on the street corner, or from passing cars, or the men sitting in front of the bar watching the lady who was definitely not from here (because they hadn't seen me before), waiting for the bus. And so, when 12:45 arrived and no bus, I was no longer finding it entertaining - so I walked back to the studio and bought some milk on the way back to have a coffee, and then return for the 13:25 bus to Lecce...
And return I did - this time I had some company in another young lady who was obviously also waiting for the bus. But by this time the bus stop was no longer in shade and even the dogs had relocated to the park for a cool spot under the trees. One came to say hello briefly - already I had understood that these dogs are like the ones in Mexico or the cats in Greece, and have a very rough life, but it was heartening that the locals let them roam the town.
When the time was 13:40, I knew something must be up with the buses that day, as the other lady called for reinforcements. She got picked up by a friend and off they went to Lecce (perhaps) leaving me behind with the dogs, the heat and the same boys at the bar. So I walked back to the house to have some lunch.
My last chance was the 14:25 as I needed to be back at Martignano by 18:00. Three times lucky?? I walked back the stop - by this time I felt there must be bets being placed in the bar as to whether I would make it or not!
Looking across the street to the church square I noticed the clock was 15 minutes early than the time on my watch. A digital sign in the square announcing local events had a time of 14:15. Was I actually too late for the other busses? When the time rolled around to 14:25 on my watch - and my phone - I really wasn't sure whether to give up for the day or not. The precise moment I decided to head home and give up for the day, a large blue bus appeared from out of nowhere! He was on (my) time! So - they do exist and when I showed him the schedule and tried with very good hand movements to ask about what happened to the other buses - he seemed to be telling me emphatically that they had met their earlier schedule.
So - here I was several hours later but now finally and happily on the bus to Lecce. The quest for art supplies was on!
I had a map of Lecce and a rough idea where the shop was located. I did have the choice to take a local bus from where I got off the regional bus, but I chose to walk as I find it is a better way to get to know a new place. As I walked north to the centre of this much larger town, I soon realised that it was awfully quiet. I knew everything shuts on Sundays and Thursdays, but it was Saturday... but.... it was now 3pm, and of course - things shut down between 1 and 4.
I smiled to myself, loving the fact that I hadn't caught the first bus after all!
I had a lovely lunch waiting for the shop to open. At 4pm, they were ready for business with others already in the shop. they had everything I needed (including some very expensive Italian oil paint - which I treated myself to), they gave me a discount because I was at MIRA, and they had their shop assistant deliver my supplies - and me - back to the studio in Martignano - by 17:30! Everything worked out just fine and has since then in lovely synchronistic ways.
Check out my website cathrynmcewen.com for further blogs...

check it out!

2009-12-03T18:00:00.000-08:00

new website!
www.cathrynmcewen.weebly.com

Persona

2009-04-14T02:48:00.000-07:00

Currently working on a body of work pertaining to the concept of "feminity". "Persona" was the first in the series created in 2008.

2006-06-11T04:42:00.000-07:00