Sunday, November 25, 2007

From Tuscan Villa to Tropical Island


Watercolour 19x24cm

I used to pass this villa on my morning walk, before it got too cold and dark to get out of bed.

This is the coldest autumn we've experienced since we arrived in Tuscany. I'm starting to miss the sun.

I was looking for some cloud references in the WetCanvas image library when I found a lovely photo by Carlanna and did a quick watercolour sketch from my computer screen. My wonky dinghy was actually a rubber duckie in the photo. The sunny image really warmed me up and raised my spirits.

Watercolour 16x19cm

Speaking of high spirits. While I was painting, I was listening to the results of yesterday's Australian Federal Election. With a win for Labor my homeland now has a government with a commitment to the environment; withdrawing our troops from Iraq and encouraging racial and religious harmony. Oh, and hopefully, supporting the arts.

Now there's a lot of pressure from family and friends for HWEM to come up with a new justification for continuing to live in Italy. Actually, the dogs tell me they aren't ready to go home yet and if I'm absolutely honest, I too love it here.

24 comments:

mARTa said...

What lovely images for me to wake up to this morning! I love the second best, just because it's where I'd like to be about now also...warm and tropical.

Lin said...

Robin! These are FANTABULOUS!!! Color, form, shadow -- those TREES!!! WOWEEEE!!! I LOVE them both -- buth the house -- BRAVA BRAVA BRAVA!

Laura Frankstone said...

You can't leave before I come to meet you there!! But now that you've got Australia sorted out, how about doing the same for the US. I have a good (cough, cough), used president and vice-president I'd be willing to part with, VERY cheap, VERY fast---no questions asked or answered.
Your watery sketch is, indeed, cheerful!

Anonymous said...

The villa painting is magnificent. I agree with Laura. You can't leave until a few more EDM fellow artists meet you for a sketchcrawl!

juj said...

Lovely, calm and peaceful. What a beautiful site/sight...

Dermott said...

As dictated to me by HWEM:

"The departed neo-Thatcherite government was only a symptom of the numerous problems that will continue to cause me to shun Australia".

And on my own behalf:

Not so fast! Hold your cavalli! What is the newly-elected Rudd Labor government's policy on brisket bones for needy boofheads?"

Anonymous said...

I love both of these; the villa is so Toscane and the dhingy so tropical...
Please don't leave! You feel like familiar neighbours to me and I'm totally comfortable with that...one of these days I'll be running over for a cup of sugar.
Ronell

Quilt knit said...

Hi! I was wondering if you were going to pack and heave ho to Aussie World. Now I know. It must be easy to live in Italy. Do you sell your artwork there?
These two are lovely.
I love those two doggies. I should have known Dermott was a Old English Sheep Dog. My brother has a Bischon Friese. He keeps his so closely cut. It resembles a poodle more than a BF. He has a Red Poodle that was not suppose to be more than 7lbs.
Well, let us know how the Politics go. But enjoy that window. Light is so important for an artist.

((( Circle of Hugs ))) Coming out of Turkey coma from Our big Thanksgiving Holiday.
Sherrie

Claudia said...

Both watercolours are just wonderful!

dinahmow said...

Yes, we have elbowed JH out;even from his seat! But change will not happen overnight.I just hope he doesn't cave in under the international pressure.

Lovely cupboard window you have!

Rosemary said...

I am green with envy hearing about the commitments from your new government! The situation here in the states is depressing to say the least.

Love the Tuscan landscape!

Joan said...

Robyn, I thought about you as soon as I heard the election results. I'm in agreement with your fellow artists here...you MUST NOT LEAVE until we each get to come and paint with you there in Tuscany. Seriously, these are lovely! The Tuscan villa is so pretty...you've learned to capture your new home so well. I love the colors of the tropical painting. It's cold here too, so the thought of relaxing in the sun is very tempting too. Ciao!

Karen Cole said...

I thought of you the other day Robyn, as soon as I heard the news of the Australian election. I may be moving myself soon.......to AUSTRALIA! :-)

Your painting of the villa is lovely. If I had to choose a spot to visit, it would be the villa in Tuscany, cold or not.

Hope you are well.

Sharon said...

I hope a year from now we're popping the champagne corks to celebrate our newly elected DEMOCRATIC president in the US! It was good news that Australians dumped their version of Bush.

The painting of the villa is lovely, a bit dreamy looking. (I've been trying to paint landscapes and it's a lot harder than it looks, at least for me, so I have a renewed appreciation for them.)

I really enjoyed the photos of your studio and rustic new window. Looks like a beautiful room.

Mary said...

Robin, these watercolors are gorgeous! The top one has such a nice romantic feel to it.

"JeanneG" said...

I really love the painting of the villa. You did such a good job on it.

Making A Mark said...

Great watercolours - and what a good idea.

I can also highly recommend drawing very brightly coloured flowers in winter - I think it's the greyness which begins to get wearing after a bit.

Plus HWEM has my vote and of course Dermott has the last word!

Robyn Sinclair said...

Thanks everyone - such lovely comments. We are suffering the torment of living in the middle of interior renovations at present, so there is no art and little blog surfing going on.
On the plus side this means after spending all this money we are going to be in Tuscany for a quite a while.

Martha said...

Beautiful paintings!

I am convinced that Tuscany is my favorite place in the world, although (slight complication) I have never actually been there. I just know it though! And I have been close, so I'm not completely without reference :)

Africantapestry and Myfrenchkitchen said...

Just saying hi...hope you're doing better?
ronell

Robyn Sinclair said...

Martha - How lovely to have you visit. When you eventually get to Tuscany, let's go sketching together. Congratulations on a great year of blogging!

Ronell - Thank you for caring. :) Still up to our necks in renovation mess. They've finally thrown me out of my studio and I don't know when I'm going to get it back.
I'm learning all sorts of new coping mechanisms - for example - how to take a bath with baby wipes!

Quilt knit said...

Hi! When can I move to Tuscany? I do not think I can take much more of my Family over here. Is there a Hotel nearby, What is its name. No, you never have to meet me. Just looking for a quiet place to have a sane day.
My Father had a stroke, and a terrific car wreck on 30th of Nov. He has had another stroke and is now paralysis on the left side. I was told He was fine. Today with the news of this stroke- I was told He was not stable, the doctors cannot regulate His meds.
They speak with fork tongue. It appears so peaceful there. I hope you have a wonderful time there. I am sure if you wanted to go home, you could. I love just looking at the villa. Wonderful colors.

((( Circle of Hug )))

Sherrie

Anita Davies said...

Beautiful work!

Serena Lewis said...

Robyn, I thought of you the other week when Howard got booted. I can tell you we were celebrating big time in this house! The cost of living has become so high under the Howard government so I hope Rudd will help relieve the pressure in some way. I like that Rudd is making a commitment to help climate change too. So, it sounds like Italy will be your home for a while yet, huh?

Btw, I love your watercolours!

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