August heat, thoughts and invitations

The morning finds me at our local beach doing my Ci Kung. It's 07.00 and warming up fast and soon hitting 40C, they say, by midday

One of the reasons I don't hold workshops in August here in Le Marche, is because of the extreme heat throughout the Province, and the added danger in being out in the sun at high altitudes at Cittadella our mountain retreat in the Sibillini National Park

And this summer it's exceptional and going for a cool morning swim is my way of coping and I'm on my way home within an hour where my studio is bearable with AC and all,

Those of you who practice Ci Kung or Tai chi, would know that it is not just a physical exercise but also a way of awakening the entire body of a morning, the heart and brain in particular- It is also a time to practice right breathing and to open all the senses; all these things together clearing the mind of clutter.

It is how we begin our mornings at my workshops and I am daily reminded of the words of the American teacher and painter Robert Henri 120 years ago

'The object isn't to make art

it's to be in that wonderful state

which makes art inevitable'

So we make art, of course we do, but, if I teach anything at all, it is what it is to be an artist, and how to arrive at this state.

You could say, 'I simply light the blue touch paper, and then sit back and watch.

And you're probably thinking 'Sounds pretty easy to me'

And sometimes it is and sometimes it's not

It depends

It depends on how deeply inside a person's mental cupboard the creative child has been locked.

A child which is beseeching to be released.

There, I've  already said to much

Best advice?

Join my next workshop at Cittadella in September 😀

It's Italy

It's when the mountain storms begin and when the streams and waterfalls gush with water again

It's where the landscape is breathtakingly beautiful

Where Silvio, the owner, and his staff are such kind people and treat us as family

Where we go on visits locally everyday, to hot pools, waterfalls, to Sanctuaries

Where we work in our outdoor studio on afternoons

Where we delight in tasting the very best traditional Italy food and wine.

And (most importantly) where we create exceptinal art, in an atmospere of freedom and fun.

You can read lots more about me on my website

Where you'll find my my blogs, paintings and podcasts.

Here is a painting created by Raquel Ferrer and myself , on a one2one a couple of weeks back, as a present to Silvio for his kindness,

And here is a recommendation by Raquel recalling the experience

'Thank you Michael for sharing these days with me, showing me how to create a powerful bubble - choosing what to bring and let in, and what to leave out - And thank you for introducing me to the world of Chi Kung and so much more.
I enjoyed playing in colours and giving myself full permission to be an artist. I have found my fun mindfulness - I can stay focused, and I can completely forget about the external world and noise when I paint - and I love it!'

Details

Next workshop dates September 5 to 11

Cost of workshop E190

Cost of accomodation at Cittadella from B&B to half board E35 to E75  per day (depending on whether share or single option).

Number in group limited to 12

Contact Michael for any questions you may have; micermice@gmail.com, 

Tel. whatsapp +39 3283535358

My very best wishes and I hope very much you can join us in September

Michael

An extraordinary experience

 Last night I was sitting in my garden at midnight watching a thunderstorm's uncertainty of direction in the eastern sky; whether to head our way or not. It was hugging the coastline, and probably drawn to the sea and unloading the rain we so desperately need here. Our cats were rolling around and bouncing onto one another expecting to be rained upon and soaked so that they could be dried afterwards (their favourite funtrip)

All this after a dinner party, illustrated by the lightning, with friends from Australia and Padova.

And this only five days before the night of the shooting stars, stelle cadente, or San Lorenzo and a celebration, a fiesta in town.

Do you believe in serendipity?

Say you do!

Flashes of light in the darkness

Just two months back I found myself trying to photograph fireflies at nightime, first with an iPhone (unsuccesful) and then with my old Nikon (equally so, but got a few pics before falling into a ditch)

And this is where the serendipity kicked in.

I googled how to photograph fireflies and got

A TED talk about fireflies (fascinating)

And a link to a group called Fireflies; (see below) and to a lady named Raquel Ferrer, whom I saw had already signed up to a one2one creativity session with me here down in Le Marche, Italy.

Which we did together just a week ago. at our retreat in Cittadella.......and.......well......it was just great. 

Explain!

Well, you know that feeling you get when there are just five gaps left on a jigsaw, and you swiftly put four in and you see that you're missing just one piece?

And then you rush around in panic searching everywhere for two days, under carpets, under sofas, inside cupboard drawers …. and then you find it in the puzzle box just lying there looking at you.

And you joyously click it into place. It's that feeling.

And then... A couple of days after our one2one at Cittadella, Raquel sent me this testimonial on Linked in about our time together

An Extraordinary Experience.

Surprise.
Acceptance.
Resilience.
Letting Go.
Breathing In.
Kindness.
Self-awareness.
Bravery.
Honesty.
Fun.
Laughs.
Breakfasts.
Cappuccinos.
Pasta, pasta and more pasta :)
Antipasti & melon.
Ginger.
Naps.
Compassion.
Risks.
New Projects.

Life.
Nature.
Discovery.
Chaos.
Joy.
Art.
Painting.
Playfulness.

Some time off in Italy, reflecting and creating from nature. Building harmony within and thinking about how important structure and freedom are for some of us.

Thank you Michael Eldridge for sharing these days with me, showing me how to create a powerful bubble - choosing what to bring and let in, and what to leave out - And thank you for introducing me to the world of Chi Kung and so much more.

I enjoyed playing in colors and giving myself full permission to be an artist. I have found my fun mindfulness - I can stay focused, and I can completely forget about the external world and noise when I paint - and I love it!

Now, this post is complete.

Those are my words!

G R A C I E M I L L E ! :) :) :)

And this is the painting we did together on the final day of our one2one

So, this is really a blog about serendipity and kindness and crosswords, but also about all the wonderful things that are out there once we unclutter our minds and enter the clear and fabulous river of creativity

Michael,

For info about workshops in Italy and One2Ones..

michaeleldridgestudio.com

Or contact micermice@gmail.com

tel; +39 3283535358