Gondola Fever

BEAR and I are too busy shipping out your chateaux to jump in a Venice canal and think about gondolas. But no reason YOU can't dream of gondolas.

'Gondolier Fever' has been going on since Canaletto and before after all.

It does look terribly relaxing.

Gondola dancing anyone?

Are there gondola parking lots?

Can you get a ticket for double parking?

Which would you rather have? ride in a gondola.

Or a pistachio gelato? I know my answer. Pistachio wins hands down.

I think I caught gondola fever from looking at this watercolor book by Jean-Louis Morelle. Though the only Venice scene is on the cover.

Please vote in the comments if you would like a gondola watercolor sale on Monday.

Oui or Non.

Chateaux are shipping out TODAY by Priority Mail not gondolas - too slow!

Venice Marbleized

Venetian masks don't do it for me - too glitzy... But last day in Venice I discovered these marbleized silk masks and flipped. Venice is a key center for paper arts...
And marbleized paper/carta marmorizzata is their specialty.

I took a class in marblizing at the Book Center and it is hard. I can't begin to imagine how you do this to fine silk fabric..?

Marbleizing was revived in Venice
during the 1970s. The sheets are made by hand and each is unique. Why not don your marbleized mask and write some old fashioned snail mail on these perfect note cards..?

You'll find a 'marbleized' pen in the same shop...

The ink is NOT marbleized but the hand-blown glass ink well comes from Murano.

All these treasures are at the 1851 paper shop, Antica Legatoria Piazzi in San Marco.

Fortunately just a few steps away you can.

Indulge yourself in marbleized gelato, Stracciatella.

Well hurry up/
andiamo!Your gondola is waiting!

BUON GIORNO MARBLEIZED VENICE!
 

The Tourist

Yesterday I played hookie and went off to see the film, THE TOURIST. Fortunately for us PBers, it starts in Paris (AND IN FRENCH!)at a cafe near actually it's Cafe Le Nemour (at Place Colette 75001 thanks Linda) Place du Chatelet, moves on to the Passage Jouffroy (75009 -thanks Elizabeth), then Metro station Quatre Septembre and enfin to Gare de Lyon, but you have to keep your eyes peeled if not your GPS handy... Pretty soon we're on the 8:22 AM train with Angelina and Johnny making small talk enroute to where else? VENICE! Angelina's lips could sink a thousand ships... And they do many times over... But NO GONDOLAS! Except for background atmospheric effects. I was a tad disheartened... I had high hopes for at least one trist... One stolen kiss whilst riding a gondola. No such luck. But there is plenty else to love if you love Venice... Or if you love Johnny,

Who plays the awkward schlumpy math teacher from WI Angie picks up on that train. I have high hopes my Paris-to-Venice train ride will be as eventful...sigh

Angie kidnaps Johnny off to her 'Doges' deluxe suite at Hotel Danieli (at ***** and 1.770 euros for a room with a lagoon view). This is the closest I will get to such luxe, calme et volupte...

They dine on the roof garden of the 'new' wing of the Danieli another deluxe joint of Angies choosing. This gal has great taste AND there are gondolas in the background! If you go, do order the scampi in Champagne risotto - Angies excellent choice. In fact Angie is quite the grande dame throughout this movie - no Laura Crofting about here in rubber diving suits...

I could have used a few more dress changes but that's just moi...

Of course there's a grand ball in a FAB palazzo and whoever said there is no chemistry between these two, well go see for yourself and report back.

One thing before I go to Venice - I will definitely search out these giant shade Angies wearing. Tres elegante non? If you want some week-end fun at an entertaining old-style caper and you LOVE Paris, Venice, Johnny and Angela, then do see THE TOURIST.

BONNE WEEK-END PBers!! PS. A positive review here (Thanks Jason!)

My Venice

Venice Docks, Watercolor, 4" x 6 1/4" Everyone has a 'my Venice'. One visit and we fall hard.

San Marco, watercolor, 4" x 12 1/2"

One friend is in Venice right now for 2 weeks before she goes on to Paris for 2 weeks - the best of both worlds. Another friend is going just to Venice for 3 weeks! And she doesn't even paint! This is not fair.

San Marco Sillouette, watercolor, 3 1/2" x 6 1/2"

I went back to Venice 9 years ago just for 1 day while I was at the Verona Vinitaly wine fair. It's a short 1 1/2 hours away by train.

Santa Maria Majori, watercolor, 4" x 6"

I was lucky to have an architect student sit down next to me and she was staying in Venice for 3 months. Anyway fortunately for me, she was a bit short of change. I helped her out and in doing so got the best of guides for my very short visit. She knew the history and aesthetics of every palazzo and canal bridge. She showed me the secret Venice.

Venice Melange, watercolor, 4" x 11 1/2"

I went back for 3 days a few years later- not long enough. Then 2 years ago I managed to stay 5 days while the Turner Venice watercolor show was on. An unbeatable combination.

There's a small very nice hotel, Hotel Mignon in Carneggio you might look into if you're going. Every hotel in Venice is small and the rooms are all very small, unless you happen to be friendly with a palazzo-owner..But who stays in their hotel room in Venice? It makes no sense. A Venice Card is essential..open door to 10 museums and all the rides you want on the Vaporetto for a week. Brek Ristorante is a terrific chain of cafeterias with farm-fresh food. You help yourself to local wines straight from the tap. Just a few steps to the right of the train station.                           Gondoliers, watercolor, 4" x 6 1/4"

Oh and don't forget to take your art materials. They can be quite pricy in Venice unless you want to spring for one of those hand-made marbelized sketchbooks you may never use, but treasure always...to be continued.