Today is Saturday and I arrived at Eutopia Art Residency last Monday - its is a lovely spot in a residential neighbourhood, some apartments and some single homes, there’s a coffee shop right across the street and a pizza place around the corner. The downtown area is about 2 kms. Away, so an easy walk along the shore and there is everything I need. In fact, the very large grocery store is just two blocks away.
I made a trip to stock up on a few items and found lots of choice, especially the olive oil - of course the writing is difficult to decipher so I made a couple of guesses, luckily the pictures on the packages helped. I remember a time in Helsinki that we wanted milk for granola and the first day we needed up with buttermilk, the next day it was kefir and the next day cream….
With all the wonderful fresh food here I really have no intention of cooking much so it’s either eat out (not a problem) or buy something ready made and the quinoa salad I bought was very good. And of course, this is country for feta cheese, so I bought some of that…plus halva!
It’s all pretty good and mostly a bit cheaper than at home..
That’s a lot of olive oil!
Spinach and apple salad, enough for four people!
I have walked into part of the old town, I think the aqueduct is the highlight of the town, although it doesn’t overwhelm the area, you sort of discover it by walking around a corner and there it is!
Tomorrow I hope to walk up the the fortress and also visit the archeological museum, but just like any new place, there are many sights to discover around every corner.
A little glimpse of the Old Town
The aqueduct - it’s actually built in the 16th century, probably incorporating some earlier Roman structure. It was to bring water from the mountains to the palace on the hilltop.
The castle/fortress on the hill top
My first project has been a case of “win some, lose some” I began by writing on the beige piece which is the interior of the vessel - her fire burns and lights the world - I repeated the phrase over and over again then pinned it to the red linen and made the small eyelet holes and stitched around each eyelet. that worked well. I used a piece of dyed lace for the rim (not sure I’m happy with that) and then formed a base on the inside with a circle of plastic. I thought I would use the olive branches as supports - but as you can see, they look pretty lame! My intention is to use heavier wire that is curled at each end, four of them, as the supports. However I also need to pack the vessels flat for travelling so that will wait til I get home. In the meantime I have painted four pieces of dowling to use and I can toss those before returning home. Keep in mind that I can’t bring any natural plant materials back into the country…
In analysis, I am really happy with the concept of the vessel being also a lantern - totally pumped with the title - I want the vessel to be larger, perhaps with a handle? Remember that these are prototypes…
I wrote on the linen (which I had wet slightly) with acrylic ink
The outside of the vessel has small holes - like eyelets that I stitched around
So the olive branches that I used as supports are ridiculous!
This second vessel I am pleased with in a variety of ways - the idea of two separate units, one larger than the other, being joined together in an “Embrace” feels, just so right! I can see making larger, more complex ones using this model, having them similar and yet each distinct in some ways, they could be taller, shorter or a variety of different styles.
Another thing that worked well was using the Wire Form mesh inside - its a very fine mesh that is pliable and will hold it shape - hence the ability to have it stand - unaided by a base (which can be added later).
The olive branch works better in this one - I’ll still have to remove it for packing later on, but in the meantime it can sit beside me on the table…oh, did I mention the exhibition? Yup, we have one on April 12th and I need to have at least five pieces….
I chose a dyed Belgian linen and hand dyed threads
Two separate units joined with just a couple of loops over the olive branches
Another view of how I put the two units together
That’s it for now - there’s lots more to share with you so stay tuned. Have a Happy Easter with your loved ones - my family is gathering this weekend. Easter in Greece is a very big celebration but since it’s Orthodox, it is celebrated in May!
Kallispera
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