Your passport please

This picture was taken in Florence, Italy. Ahhhh Florence, now that is a dream come true for any art lover. Statues 1,000's of years old adorn every piazza, the Medici families influence is felt at every turn as you stroll through the narrow streets. It would take tremendous effort to not be creativity inspired in such an environment.

I purchased a sketch from this man. He was VERY talented and sold me a sketch of a statue he did from this stand point. This art which is framed in my living room set me back $30. I know, only $30!! I was humbled a bit as an artist. I don't know that I would be able to give that kind of life to a simple ink drawing. And I am sure that the time it would take me to accomplish it would cost much more than $30!

As we watched him work a gypsy woman and an Italian man erupted in a struggle. The gypsy had discreetly picked up the artist tip jar and was slithering away. I am sure just as she thought she was in the clear a man grabbed her from behind and wrestled the money away from her. The artist barely noticed. He was so engrossed in his image. When he realized what had happened he thanked his anonymous protector as the tip jar was returned to it's place and went right back to work. His mojo didn't even miss a beat.

We bought plane tickets today. We are headed out again for new adventure and new art. We will see Ireland and South Africa on this journey. I can't wait to be inspired by what awaits me. So much art, so little frequent flier miles.

Knock on Wood

The days have gotten away from me and I thought it was about time I got back to my blog post. Sadly, we had a family tragedy that broke our hearts and filled our minds. It's difficult to carry on daily activities knowing your life has been forever changed let alone to try to think creatively. But the beautiful Alaska summer has tried to soothe us.

We have company this week which means I get to play tourist for a bit. We have managed to snack on delicious food, sway to music and spend money at the Forest Fair in Girdwood. We have soaked up the sun has the bore tide rolled in and walked the beach at Kincaid. In our route back from Girdwood we stopped to visit with Jordan Anderson. He is the creator of this irresistible seal. With huge logs brought in from Wrangel and other parts of Alaska Jordan chainsaws away until a character emerges.

We have all seen the chainsaw bears and moose. But Jordan has taken in another level. The smooth skin of the humpback whale makes it impossible to not reach out and touch it. The school of salmon takes you under the water of an Alaska stream. It really was impossible to not be impressed.

I have drove past his work for years but never took the time to stop. Smiling at a beautiful carved seal, feeling the smooth wood carefully worked to perfection, that is what life is suppose to be about. We don't know how many days we have left. Let's enjoy every one.