Calendar Girl for Concord Art Association February 2012

I am delighted to share the news that this image, featuring Elizabeth Weir, was selected for the February image for the 2012 Concord Art Association calendar. There were 54 entries and 13 chosen so I am very pleased. Elizabeth grew up in Concord and her parents still live here in Concord center. It was literally so cold I could only take a few shots at a time with my little Canon G12.( I highly recommend this camera, though it's a bit larger than a point and shoot it has manual control for f-stop and shutter speed ) I remember a photographer once saying," You get the best photographs in the worst weather. "

Collage workshop with Robin Litwin - June 4th and June 24th

Join local artist Robin Litwin in creating a mixed media collage that represents your memories and reflections. This is a special opportunity to combine Robin's expertise and instruction with your creative spirit and personal experience. You will construct a unique and personal collage on canvas during this one day workshop. Robin will teach a range of artistic techniques including: composition, layering, the use of gel medium and brayers, scratching in with sandpaper, and final accenting with acrylic paint. The followup class will cover paste paper, stencils and cutting/tearing techniques. Bring photos and other printed memorabilia that speaks to you to incorporate in your final piece.To sign up call Dabblers in West Concord, MA

On exhibit at Dabblers Cafe in West Concord

Artist Statement: " Memories "

This series is about ambiguity in our most intimate relationships; the promise of love and love unfulfilled. For me making art that examines the fragile nature of love is both healing and disturbing. Lines between memory and reality are constantly shifting in and out of focus, posing the intriguing question, " How do the memories of our past shape our future? " RGL

Nettuno, Italy Part 2

After the beach we took a tour of Nettuno where we saw a fortress turned art museum, the family pharmacia and then a ride into the countryside to see Miss. Ellie. I heard my first cuckoo bird and met the oldest cat I have ever seen. I saw flowers that took my breath away and I saw love. We ate ice cream and drank peach juice, we walked around the beautiful yard and watched the day turn to night. At the end of the day we said goodbye to Miss Ellie. She waved and smiled and we all felt sad to leave her alone.

We drove into Rome for a real Italian dinner and great conversation. The most interesting thing for me was about language and music. Both Luisa and Carlotta agreed they learned a lot of English listening to the Beatles as young girls. They talked about how all the repetition in the lyrics helped them learn the words. All I could think of was " All you need is love, love, all you need is love."

We certainly had love that day and night and I hope we can be as wonderful hosts to Ettore and Carlotta in the near future!

A Day in Anzio and Nettuno, Italy Part 1

A week ago we were in Rome. Time is so weird, surreal actually. It seems like yesterday we were in Nettuno, Italy basking in the love and happiness of Ms. Ellie and her family and listening to the rapid, passionate Italian that filled the room. Almost all of it was lost on me but I didn't care. I could feel the love, the connection of family and it felt good.

We took the morning train from busy Rome to the seaside towns of Anzio and Nettuno and arrived midday. Our wonderful hosts, Carlotta and Ettore met us at the train and in moments we were strolling through Anzio's quaint harbor side. We were both so excited to be out of the city and by the ocean; it was as we expected, the highlight of the trip. We explored the harbor, stopped in a cafe and had a latte and a sweet, did a little shopping and headed to the beach. I couldn't believe the colors. Ruins ran behind us and there was a natural cave from one beach to the next. the water was warm with big rolling waves and we didn't waste any time getting in. ( I was the only woman on the beach with a one piece bathing suit, a strange experience! ) The feeling of freedom in the water after a week of negotiating big foreign cities was glorious. We bobbed and dunked and swam with total abandon, shedding all the stress of the city in moments.

The French love their flowers.

" There are always flowers for those

who want to see them. "

Henri Matisse

Reunion in Paris

" The sweetest support

is found in friendship. "

Cicero

Paris, The City of Love

" Every heart whispers a song,

incomplete until another whispers back. "

Plato