What a fabulous year it has been! After many months of preparation, Casa Verna finally welcomed its first students in September. Amity, Ellen, and I were delighted to host 11 students and several of their partners in our house/art center in Umbria.
You’ve all read the stories about rebuilding a house in Italy or Provence. They often seem to be tales of disaster and distress. Not with us in Rapicciano. Our wonderful builder Narciso Piccioni (yes, you read it right: Narcissus the Dove) took us through the difficulties of restoring an ancient house with creativity and grace.
What do they say about dreams coming true? "It is a dangerous thing". The new studio is set up and ready to go. The frames are built and the kozo paper is stretched. A whole crate of Golden Liquid Acrylics is on the table. Two dozen brushes, new and used, wait patiently. The sun is shining and the espresso is doing its work. The perfect moment has arrived. But where is the idea?
Two months into our Italian adventure and I could already write a novel about all the unexpected, strange, wonderful and sometimes not so wonderful things that go on in the Umbrian hills. As I brushed off my rusty Italian and put the house in order, spring has turned into a scorching summer, and Nadine and I have begun to adapt ourselves to local rhythms and customs.
