TOP - My favourite view of Venice. I pass over Accademia Bridge every day, and always pause to have a look.
BOTTOM - Piazza San Marco at my favourite time of day - 6.30am.
I'm counting my last days in Venice - where did that time go? With that in mind, I thought I should mention what I am doing here. I have an Artist Residency at the Scuola International di Grafica, in Cannaregio. The Scuola has artist apartments in Sesterie San Marco, and most mornings I walk the roughly 30 minutes between the two, and usually take the vaporetto home. I have refined my route now, and think I have it as short as it can get, but it also minimises time spent on the tourist route between Ferrovia, Rialto and San Marco.
It is the ultimate luxury to have time just to make art, to visit galleries, to immerse myself in the city, to sit and draw all afternoon if that's what I feel like doing. [Or to just wander about and take photographs - I think about 4,500 to date]. I have taken advantage of the fully equipped print studio, and worked on etchings while here. A process that I love, but one which my studio at home is not set up for. I do not take this time for granted, I am aware of how lucky I am to be able to do this, and that I could not do it without the support of my family at home.
I'm sharing the apartment with Americans, and I have had to explain to them that Australians abbreviate and add 'ie' or 'o' where possible - as I received quizzical looks when I said 'mozzies' and 'sunnies'. It's catching on though, mozzies is a common word around here - it is that season in Venice.
BOTTOM - Piazza San Marco at my favourite time of day - 6.30am.
I'm counting my last days in Venice - where did that time go? With that in mind, I thought I should mention what I am doing here. I have an Artist Residency at the Scuola International di Grafica, in Cannaregio. The Scuola has artist apartments in Sesterie San Marco, and most mornings I walk the roughly 30 minutes between the two, and usually take the vaporetto home. I have refined my route now, and think I have it as short as it can get, but it also minimises time spent on the tourist route between Ferrovia, Rialto and San Marco.
It is the ultimate luxury to have time just to make art, to visit galleries, to immerse myself in the city, to sit and draw all afternoon if that's what I feel like doing. [Or to just wander about and take photographs - I think about 4,500 to date]. I have taken advantage of the fully equipped print studio, and worked on etchings while here. A process that I love, but one which my studio at home is not set up for. I do not take this time for granted, I am aware of how lucky I am to be able to do this, and that I could not do it without the support of my family at home.
I'm sharing the apartment with Americans, and I have had to explain to them that Australians abbreviate and add 'ie' or 'o' where possible - as I received quizzical looks when I said 'mozzies' and 'sunnies'. It's catching on though, mozzies is a common word around here - it is that season in Venice.
TOP & BOTTOM - Fondamenta Misericordia, Cannaregio
TOP - The Resident Artists' Studio
BOTTOM - The Print Studio
I like to get out and wander the city early in the morning, while the tourists are still thinking about getting out, while the street sweepers, garbage collectors and delivery men can move freely around the streets. Venice has a different feel at that time of day. Coffee, a macchiato standing at the bar, at the corner of Campo San Stefano if I am in a hurry. But my favourite is Torrefazione Cannaregio, where they roast their own beans, in Cannaregio, near the studio.
Another favourite is a regular visit to the fish and fresh produce market at Rialto. I love looking at the produce, and buying my fruit and vegetables here. I visit the same stall every time, and a very patient vendor is telling me the Italian words for the produce I buy. The smell as I stood waiting to be served, in front of the herbs, this week was of dill, and mint, and basil.
I've finally managed to visit Burano and Torchello this trip, and Lazzaretto Vecchio, where the world's first hospital was built - and it didn't really matter that the tour was in Italian. And I've spent the last few days at the vernissage of the 15th Architecture Biennale - though a few days is never going to be enough time to see all of it.
BOTTOM - The Print Studio
I like to get out and wander the city early in the morning, while the tourists are still thinking about getting out, while the street sweepers, garbage collectors and delivery men can move freely around the streets. Venice has a different feel at that time of day. Coffee, a macchiato standing at the bar, at the corner of Campo San Stefano if I am in a hurry. But my favourite is Torrefazione Cannaregio, where they roast their own beans, in Cannaregio, near the studio.
Another favourite is a regular visit to the fish and fresh produce market at Rialto. I love looking at the produce, and buying my fruit and vegetables here. I visit the same stall every time, and a very patient vendor is telling me the Italian words for the produce I buy. The smell as I stood waiting to be served, in front of the herbs, this week was of dill, and mint, and basil.
I've finally managed to visit Burano and Torchello this trip, and Lazzaretto Vecchio, where the world's first hospital was built - and it didn't really matter that the tour was in Italian. And I've spent the last few days at the vernissage of the 15th Architecture Biennale - though a few days is never going to be enough time to see all of it.
TOP & BOTTOM - Mercato di Rialto this week
TOP - Campo San Maria Nova
BOTTOM - Grand Canal, once more
BOTTOM - Grand Canal, once more