Red, White, Green

Last March I was travelling through Tuscany with my son and my best friend - it was Spring Break for my little guy, and we all had an amazing adventure. This year, I am sticking close to home, but Italy has been on my mind! I used to really hate March because, not only is the weather miserable and fickle (is spring coming or not???), but I also lost my Father (1999) and my niece (2004) in March, so there was always this association with loss, grief and emptiness. Having visited Toscana and experienced the warmth of the people, the surreal beauty of the landscape and unmatched flavours, textures and colours that only that region can provide, I am finding that my memories of that magical time have cancelled out the muddy, cold patch that was my March experience.

Breathing the cool air and face to the sunshine, I recall my bare feet on the terra cotta floors of our villa, making Cafe Vergnano in the little kitchen that opened to a private terrace. The succulent blood oranges, dreamy yogurt, incredible prosciutto and cheese, and just the scent of the air -- I can replay the experience with complete, vivid recall.

I feel fortunate to have experienced such beauty and goodness, and that my son also enjoyed and remembers fondly our time together in Italy. It is such a gift to have memories of sorrow replaced by ones of creativity, engagement of the six senses and rejuvenation of the spirit.

Until we can return, Toscana, I will recreate little pieces of you in my daily life: wrapped in my moss-green cashmere cape, walking in the sunshine and cool air, and looking for beauty in the ordinary things around me.

Tranquility

White Light
For an artist, a white canvas is both a challenge and an opportunity - you can do anything you want, limited only by your imagination. It is very much like stepping out into the winter air and being the first to make an impression in the newly fallen snow.

Right now I have several canvases and objects awaiting my painterly touch - it's like the stark winter landscape is sneaking into my studio as winter hangs on into March. I don't want to go out, so it is coming to find me.

Seeing that I am beginning to fade away, my employer has ordered me to take a creative day this coming week - starting to get excited, but that day (although greatly appreciated) is never quite enough; I could lose myself in my studio (or find myself?) for days on end.

Snow Drifts
By this time of the year, I admit that I am tired of the blanched landscapes of my homeland -- post-blizzard this a.m. the view was almost blinding; even with my transitions glasses perched on my nose! But there is purity and introspection and inspiration in that whiteness -- and yes, great beauty. The bride awaits and I have assumed the role of her suitor.

Paying Attention

Isn't it nice when people take time to notice the little things that matter to you? Colours, flavours, textures, sound - whether or not we think about it, our senses are working and taking in all of this wonderful information; and we respond to it all in some fashion, often without complete awareness.

It really is remarkable when others care enough to notice what makes us respond, because not everyone takes time to attune to their own presence, let alone the needs and interests of others. In grade school I remember asking my best friend about her favourite colour, her favourite game - all of her favourite things. That was really important to us back then - it would have been inconceivable to not know all of those best-loved things!

How and when did I forget to take that kind of passionate interest in others? Do you know your best friend's favourites? Have you thought about your own favourites lately?

The famous architect, Mies Van Der Rohe, said so much when he quipped, "God is in the details".

Reconnecting

"When we reconnect to what our soul is yearning for, we will find ourselves naturally expressing our passion and experiencing the expansion of happiness in our life." - Deepak Chopra