After a busy weekend (Saturday: Italian class, lunch with friends, favourite sushi date with favourite guy; Sunday: stretch class and long walk, afternoon and dinner with grandkids and daughter. . . favourite guy made ravioli again, and he’s improving very quickly, by the way). . . I headed to Il Museo to sketch and photograph more of those All’Italiana exhibition garments for you. And discovered it was closed on Mondays. . . .And then the day got busy — at least, if making soup and reading the latest Jack Reacher thriller in the afternoon and then French class in the evening counts as busy. . .
Today, a very good friend from out of town is coming to visit, our first IRL conversation in months. . . which means that all blogging will have to wait. . .
Although I do have a page from my Sketch Journal, one that I had originally intended to accompany the Italian exhibition post. . .
(Note: the illustration on the right of the page below is cut-and-pasted from the museum’s advertisement for the exhibition. . . Also glued in is the exhibition’s subtitle, as seen above. . .
As you can see, I’m playing a bit with composition, experimenting with using a two-page. . . And trying to integrate, even synthesize, a variety of elements from somewhat disparate sources. Obviously still a work in progress. . .
Anyway, that’s it for today. Can’t think of any questions or conversation-starters to elicit comments from you, but you should know by now that comments are always welcomed and appreciated.
Chat soon,
xo,
f
I love those sketches, Frances. I always love these peeks into your sketch book.
I signed up for an illustration course a few years ago… thinking all the while of turning out page after page of fashion illustrations. Like I did in junior high. Sadly the course was cancelled. Apparently I'd been the only one to sign up. 🙁 You are inspiring me, though, to get off my butt and find a book about sketching and do my own thing… the sketches will be terrible at first, of course… but I will remain undaunted. Sheesh. I think my sinus infection meds are giving me illusions of grandeur. Ha.
Your vertical and horizontal stripes are nice. The two women in your examples have very different dresses and and are from different periods, but both exude attitude.
I once spent an afternoon at a Rome café with a friend, counting up all the bella figuras who passed by who were of a certain age and not slender. They were numerous. They had beautiful clothes, yes, and straight posture and, above all, attitude. Think of Miuccia Prada, a bella figura if there ever was one. It was a good lesson.
Saw your remembrance in the corner. Hugs.
Gorgeous sketches.
Sue: Thanks! If you ever find time and energy and motivation to add sketching to your activities, I know you'd enjoy it, especially if you apply it to your love of fashion. . . And there are some really great courses online these days and books galore. . . .
TofF: Thank you! I must quickly point out, in case it's not already obvious, that the figure on the right is from the material used by the museum to publicize the exhibition and I've only cut-and-pasted it. Yes, quite different periods, although probably fewer than 30 or 40 years between them.
I take it you were counting the Italian women as vindication of non-slender women of a certain age. Brava! Attitude counts! And La Bella Figura!
Mary: Thank you. My brother, long gone, but not forgotten. . . . I hope you saw that we answered your query (same Mary?) in the post before last (the muesli one. . .
Jen L: Thanks!!
Different Mary asked the question. Not me.
Hope you have a grand time with your friend. I am loving the sketchbook posts these days. Lots of creativity showing.
I remember the time, not so long ago, when you struggled with the idea of "not being artistic". And see where you are now! It is wonderful to observe you progress and the pleasure you get out of this activity. At the same time you are a very inspiring example for anyone feeling the same kind of doubts.
Apologies for being late to the party again but irrespective of late comments or no comments, I always read and enjoy your posts. I would love to visit that exhibition. Italians have such a wonderful fashion aesthetic, more timeless and generally less gimmicky than the French and much more wearable in my view. Pink and green are a favourite combo, which is reflected more in my homeware choices than my clothing choices but I love it, and your stripes, very much. And yes, you are busy and pack a lot into your days – just because there are many fun activities of your choosing doesn’t make you less busy. I hope you get back to that exhibition soon.
Smithposts: We had such a good time. Thanks for encouraging my sketchbook-sharing 😉
Eleonore: I still struggle with that idea, but I'm so much better at shoving it aside — and much of that is thanks to support like yours. Thank you for the encouragement!
Maria: Better late than never, and never a need to apologize. Thank you! So true what you say and something it's taking me too long to realize — even if what I'm doing is fun and of my choosing doesn't mean it takes less energy. I still have to leave room for recovery. . . And yes, my girlfriend and I went to the exhibition and did some sketching there — such a good time, and I'll share images soon.
Yay! I’m excited for more sketches 🌸
love your sketches! you are ever so talented, the palette is wide (sketching, writting, language classes, etc)I feel your days are richer and longer than mine (though I realised we are the same age…. I'm probably kinda lazy bones..😂) You are my Vitamin C !!!
Maria 😉
Sylvie: Remember that you only see the me I choose to put on Social Media. . . I don't show you my lazy-bones side 😉
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