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Visual Storytelling Online Class via @concordart begins Wednesday, February 12th! We have a beautiful core group with a couple of spaces open. Please sign up by tomorrow! We'll be on ZOOM which is a great way to work together on book projects! We'll explore how we can start our writing with a theme and images, the different ways we can use images and how we can let a story tell itself rather than imposing our will on it. Working with images is an exciting way to write and I hope you will join us! Sign up at: www.concordart.org

Visual Storytelling Online Class via @concordart begins Wednesday, February 12th! We have a beautiful core group with a couple of spaces open. Please sign up by tomorrow! We'll be on ZOOM which is a great way to work together on book projects! We'll explore how we can start our writing with a theme and images, the different ways we can use images and how we can let a story tell itself rather than imposing our will on it. Working with images is an exciting way to write and I hope you will join us! Sign up at: www.concordart.org

The Persistence of Happiness #4. I used to go straight downstairs when I woke up in the morning. I'd have a cup of tea and read the news online. When I think about it, it was never uplifting. The focus is always on disaster and trouble. Since the Inauguration, I am going straight to my little art room early in the morning and doing a drawing. I have no plan, no ambition. I'm just happy to receive a little good news. Then I go downstairs, make a cup of tea and read the news. Ha ha! Still, it makes for a much better day.

The Persistence of Happiness #4. I used to go straight downstairs when I woke up in the morning. I'd have a cup of tea and read the news online. When I think about it, it was never uplifting. The focus is always on disaster and trouble. Since the Inauguration, I am going straight to my little art room early in the morning and doing a drawing. I have no plan, no ambition. I'm just happy to receive a little good news. Then I go downstairs, make a cup of tea and read the news. Ha ha! Still, it makes for a much better day.

The Persistence of Happiness #3. I always wake up with the sun and I've started going straight away in the dim winter light to my little art room and making a drawing. Drawing has always been a place of deep peace for me. It's just a meditation. I don't usually work this way but these meditations feel reassuring like good things are happening out there. Could there be messages in paint? Who knows. But when I head downstairs for my cup of tea, I feel a bit buoyant. A good way to start the day!

The Persistence of Happiness #3. I always wake up with the sun and I've started going straight away in the dim winter light to my little art room and making a drawing. Drawing has always been a place of deep peace for me. It's just a meditation. I don't usually work this way but these meditations feel reassuring like good things are happening out there. Could there be messages in paint? Who knows. But when I head downstairs for my cup of tea, I feel a bit buoyant. A good way to start the day!

The Persistence of Happiness #2. It has been quite a week and I see my usual color palette has changed. I'm making art a morning meditation at the moment. No ideas, just seeing what appears. This made me think that things still bloom in the night. Maybe it's more important than ever to carry on in good spirits. Thanks for being here!

The Persistence of Happiness #2. It has been quite a week and I see my usual color palette has changed. I'm making art a morning meditation at the moment. No ideas, just seeing what appears. This made me think that things still bloom in the night. Maybe it's more important than ever to carry on in good spirits. Thanks for being here!

The Persistence of Happiness #1. Yesterday, to save myself from the gloom of the week, I was splashing around in my little art room when, Ivy, one of our 6 year old twin granddaughters popped in. She sat down beside me and we splashed away for over 2 hours. My dear friend @jcbouldin had sent me some Neocolor oil pastels so we were playing with those. Hence, all the happiness in this little painting! Ivy's a born artist and she said, "Nonni, I could do this forever!" A minute later, she said, "Maybe I could just pop over on Sundays and we could do more art together." Ha ha! She took all of her work home before I could photograph but I'll share what she does next week. The table was completely covered in paint, scissors, glue, paper scraps, crayons. Happiness, indeed! #watercolorpainting #oilpasteldrawing

The Persistence of Happiness #1. Yesterday, to save myself from the gloom of the week, I was splashing around in my little art room when, Ivy, one of our 6 year old twin granddaughters popped in. She sat down beside me and we splashed away for over 2 hours. My dear friend @jcbouldin had sent me some Neocolor oil pastels so we were playing with those. Hence, all the happiness in this little painting! Ivy's a born artist and she said, "Nonni, I could do this forever!" A minute later, she said, "Maybe I could just pop over on Sundays and we could do more art together." Ha ha! She took all of her work home before I could photograph but I'll share what she does next week. The table was completely covered in paint, scissors, glue, paper scraps, crayons. Happiness, indeed! #watercolorpainting #oilpasteldrawing

Morning Tea...

Morning Tea...

Saw this yesterday, New Year's Eve, and, as it turned out, Dylan's 82nd birthday. Was blown away. Incredible performances all around and Timothée Chalomet was incredible. Going to see it again next week. Run, don't walk...! Happy New Year!

Saw this yesterday, New Year's Eve, and, as it turned out, Dylan's 82nd birthday. Was blown away. Incredible performances all around and Timothée Chalomet was incredible. Going to see it again next week. Run, don't walk...! Happy New Year!

Gandhi Peace Blimp. Wishing the world and all of you peace and wellbeing in the new year! May we all cultivate peace and happiness as Gandhi taught us. Here's to a wonderful year ahead! ❤️

Gandhi Peace Blimp. Wishing the world and all of you peace and wellbeing in the new year! May we all cultivate peace and happiness as Gandhi taught us. Here's to a wonderful year ahead! ❤️

Concord Art. Pulled up early this morning to begin my 2-day drawing workshop at @concordart in Concord, MA and super surprised to see my art on the building! I was at the opening but it was dark when we arrived so I didn't notice it. It's my Paradiso Tea Company's "Joy Tea". Lots of interesting art up at the moment at Concord Art. If you're in the Boston area, stop in! Thank you, Concord Art! Always a joy to be there! #concordart #collageart #collage #paradisoteacompany

Concord Art. Pulled up early this morning to begin my 2-day drawing workshop at @concordart in Concord, MA and super surprised to see my art on the building! I was at the opening but it was dark when we arrived so I didn't notice it. It's my Paradiso Tea Company's "Joy Tea". Lots of interesting art up at the moment at Concord Art. If you're in the Boston area, stop in! Thank you, Concord Art! Always a joy to be there! #concordart #collageart #collage #paradisoteacompany

Paradiso Hair Tonic / Never Worry Again #painting #gouache #paradisoproducts

Paradiso Hair Tonic / Never Worry Again #painting #gouache #paradisoproducts

BOOKFUL of TRAVEL. Our next BOOKFUL online class starts January 18th, 2025! In the first week, my dear friend and master bookbinder will lead us in creating a gorgeous hardcover cover for an accordion book. (All supplies are included.) In the next 3 weeks, I will share a slideshow of inspiration and lead us in writing our stories using both words and images. You can sign up now: www.barizaki.com All are welcome!

BOOKFUL of TRAVEL. Our next BOOKFUL online class starts January 18th, 2025! In the first week, my dear friend and master bookbinder will lead us in creating a gorgeous hardcover cover for an accordion book. (All supplies are included.) In the next 3 weeks, I will share a slideshow of inspiration and lead us in writing our stories using both words and images. You can sign up now: www.barizaki.com All are welcome!

Swimming Lessons. My friend Charlo and I joined the Y a couple of months ago to swim. I was grateful this week to be able to immerse myself in water. On Fridays we do water aerobics in a pool full to overflowing with women (and two chaps) all past our swimming primes. Our teacher, who is of a certain age, barks out orders but she's so short we only see her head bobbing up and down and can't make out the moves. Everyone flaps around like they know what they're doing. Us too! Haven't laughed so hard in years. We leave feeling super invigorated, that life is beautiful and that we're ready for (almost) anything. Hope you find something good too. #lifestrategy #bravenewworld

Swimming Lessons. My friend Charlo and I joined the Y a couple of months ago to swim. I was grateful this week to be able to immerse myself in water. On Fridays we do water aerobics in a pool full to overflowing with women (and two chaps) all past our swimming primes. Our teacher, who is of a certain age, barks out orders but she's so short we only see her head bobbing up and down and can't make out the moves. Everyone flaps around like they know what they're doing. Us too! Haven't laughed so hard in years. We leave feeling super invigorated, that life is beautiful and that we're ready for (almost) anything. Hope you find something good too. #lifestrategy #bravenewworld

Swimming. This is one of my granddaughters at her second swim meet last weekend. She's the smallest one and came in fifth. When she got to end of the race she said she cried with happiness. She'd done it. A couple of months ago she couldn't swim the length of the pool and now she can swim two lengths. I love her attitude. We'll get there too. #photobyapo

Swimming. This is one of my granddaughters at her second swim meet last weekend. She's the smallest one and came in fifth. When she got to end of the race she said she cried with happiness. She'd done it. A couple of months ago she couldn't swim the length of the pool and now she can swim two lengths. I love her attitude. We'll get there too. #photobyapo

Gandhi Peace Box. Yesterday as I drove out on the highway to visit two artist friends I felt a sudden wave of optimism. Everything would be ok! Kamala will win! Then, last night, in our continued efforts to keep calm we chose to watch a movie and not the news. I only peeked at my phone at 9:30 EST and knew then that my optimism was misplaced but not unfounded. This morning I thought of Gandhi and the oppression he stood up to with determination, discipline, organization and love. I hope we'll all go back to work and know that whatever light we bring into the world still matters.

Gandhi Peace Box. Yesterday as I drove out on the highway to visit two artist friends I felt a sudden wave of optimism. Everything would be ok! Kamala will win! Then, last night, in our continued efforts to keep calm we chose to watch a movie and not the news. I only peeked at my phone at 9:30 EST and knew then that my optimism was misplaced but not unfounded. This morning I thought of Gandhi and the oppression he stood up to with determination, discipline, organization and love. I hope we'll all go back to work and know that whatever light we bring into the world still matters.

Election Day! I'm wearing this little pin of the Arc de Triomphe for Kamala today and keeping a positive vision. That's the work really, I think, to keep envisioning success in the face of ghastliness. This morning we walked down early in the morning to vote with our neighbor friends. We had a few good laughs. I thought how great that spirits are high. I think victory is in the air!

Election Day! I'm wearing this little pin of the Arc de Triomphe for Kamala today and keeping a positive vision. That's the work really, I think, to keep envisioning success in the face of ghastliness. This morning we walked down early in the morning to vote with our neighbor friends. We had a few good laughs. I thought how great that spirits are high. I think victory is in the air!

Sneak peek! @barizaki and I are working on our next BOOKFUL online class coming in January. Bari is a master bookbinder and leads the class in making a handmade book. I do 3 classes in filling it. Our new theme is TRAVEL. I'm writing about a trip I made at the age of 18 after my first year at university from Montreal to a tiny, still forlorn German island in the North Sea where I was to work for 3 months at a hotel for people blinded in the Second World War. The story of being there overshadowed the story of getting there, until now. The journey was long and perilous, an unexpected tutorial in trust. It's interesting to write and make images simultaneously! Stay tuned. Can't wait to do this class! #bookful #travelwriting #makingbooks #handmadebooks #illustration

Sneak peek! @barizaki and I are working on our next BOOKFUL online class coming in January. Bari is a master bookbinder and leads the class in making a handmade book. I do 3 classes in filling it. Our new theme is TRAVEL. I'm writing about a trip I made at the age of 18 after my first year at university from Montreal to a tiny, still forlorn German island in the North Sea where I was to work for 3 months at a hotel for people blinded in the Second World War. The story of being there overshadowed the story of getting there, until now. The journey was long and perilous, an unexpected tutorial in trust. It's interesting to write and make images simultaneously! Stay tuned. Can't wait to do this class! #bookful #travelwriting #makingbooks #handmadebooks #illustration

Porter Square Books. (Cambridge, MA) Our wonderful independent bookstore moved a block south last week to the Lesley College building on Mass Ave and it's much, much bigger! It was super exciting to visit this morning. The café is still under construction and there's no signage yet but the place was buzzing! It reminded me of the days when there were 15 independent bookstores in Harvard Square alone and I scoured the art and fiction sections each week. Here's to independent bookstores making comebacks! (Stock photo but will try to get a shot next week.)

Porter Square Books. (Cambridge, MA) Our wonderful independent bookstore moved a block south last week to the Lesley College building on Mass Ave and it's much, much bigger! It was super exciting to visit this morning. The café is still under construction and there's no signage yet but the place was buzzing! It reminded me of the days when there were 15 independent bookstores in Harvard Square alone and I scoured the art and fiction sections each week. Here's to independent bookstores making comebacks! (Stock photo but will try to get a shot next week.)

The Paradiso Tea Co. / Memory Tea "Forget all. Be in the now." This will be in the triennial Faculty Show opening Thursday, October 24th from 5—7 pm at @concordart, a wonderful center for art and education where I teach drawing. I'll be participating in the artists' panel at 4 pm. If you're in the Boston area, please take a short ride out to beautiful Concord, MA and join us!

The Paradiso Tea Co. / Memory Tea "Forget all. Be in the now." This will be in the triennial Faculty Show opening Thursday, October 24th from 5—7 pm at @concordart, a wonderful center for art and education where I teach drawing. I'll be participating in the artists' panel at 4 pm. If you're in the Boston area, please take a short ride out to beautiful Concord, MA and join us!

The Paradise Tea Co. / Keep the Faith Tea. An essential tea for these anxious times. Drink daily. And never give up! This piece will be in the triennial Faculty Show at Concord Art in Concord, MA. Opening Thursday, October 24th, 2024! #collage #ParadisoTeaCo.

The Paradise Tea Co. / Keep the Faith Tea. An essential tea for these anxious times. Drink daily. And never give up! This piece will be in the triennial Faculty Show at Concord Art in Concord, MA. Opening Thursday, October 24th, 2024! #collage #ParadisoTeaCo.

The Paradiso Tea Co. / Joy Tea—Smile For No Reason. The Dalai Lama said that joy is our highest state of being and comes mostly in fleeting bursts. A tea would help. And smiling for no reason.

The Paradiso Tea Co. / Joy Tea—Smile For No Reason. The Dalai Lama said that joy is our highest state of being and comes mostly in fleeting bursts. A tea would help. And smiling for no reason.

The Paradiso Tea Co. / Laughter Tea. #popart #collage #paintedpapercollage

The Paradiso Tea Co. / Laughter Tea. #popart #collage #paintedpapercollage

Paradiso Hair Spray

Paradiso Hair Spray

Free drawing. I did this last week in the dash to finish another project that required much more precision. I just wanted to be in the moment. With no plan, curious things show up...

Free drawing. I did this last week in the dash to finish another project that required much more precision. I just wanted to be in the moment. With no plan, curious things show up...

BOOKFUL. Our next 4 Saturday workshop starts next Saturday, September 21rst! @barizaki will teach how to make 3 handmade books and I'll lead us in filling the books. This time, we'll be writing one page stories and illustrating with drawings, paintings and collage. Images can trigger memories. Seeing the photo of this ebullient young woman was enough to remind me of the September morning I walked out of my house, 11 years old, and met a scruffy kid I'd never seen before. In 2 minutes, she told me her family was dirt poor and that she loved theater and poetry. She had the most wondrous imagination and we spent months going to cheap theater performances and making up plays. Then her family moved away to a derelict house in the countryside. In our short intense friendship, she showed me how imagination and good spirits triumph. There's still time to join us! Sign up at barizaki.com.

BOOKFUL. Our next 4 Saturday workshop starts next Saturday, September 21rst! @barizaki will teach how to make 3 handmade books and I'll lead us in filling the books. This time, we'll be writing one page stories and illustrating with drawings, paintings and collage. Images can trigger memories. Seeing the photo of this ebullient young woman was enough to remind me of the September morning I walked out of my house, 11 years old, and met a scruffy kid I'd never seen before. In 2 minutes, she told me her family was dirt poor and that she loved theater and poetry. She had the most wondrous imagination and we spent months going to cheap theater performances and making up plays. Then her family moved away to a derelict house in the countryside. In our short intense friendship, she showed me how imagination and good spirits triumph. There's still time to join us! Sign up at barizaki.com.

India stamp collage. How many miles it has traveled! #history

India stamp collage. How many miles it has traveled! #history

Evidence of past crimes! This little strip of paper was once attached to one of two tins of Marabu watercolor cakes, one transparent and one opaque, with which I started my illustration career. They were made in "West Germany" which dates them to before the Berlin Wall fell! The colors are written in German. I probably bought them in Germany as I worked there for a few months when I was an 18 year old student. When I started out as an illustrator, I had just these two sets of watercolors and a set of colored pencils. It never crossed my mind to explore other materials. The watercolors lasted for years and still have some paint left in them! At some point I stuck this little strip on a brown paper bag. It tells the story of many deadlines...

Evidence of past crimes! This little strip of paper was once attached to one of two tins of Marabu watercolor cakes, one transparent and one opaque, with which I started my illustration career. They were made in "West Germany" which dates them to before the Berlin Wall fell! The colors are written in German. I probably bought them in Germany as I worked there for a few months when I was an 18 year old student. When I started out as an illustrator, I had just these two sets of watercolors and a set of colored pencils. It never crossed my mind to explore other materials. The watercolors lasted for years and still have some paint left in them! At some point I stuck this little strip on a brown paper bag. It tells the story of many deadlines...

Tulip. This little 6" square painting (paper mounted on board) will be in the @artwellesley fundraising auction. Art Wellesley is a wonderful new arts organization in Wellesley, MA. I have done a class and shown my work at their spring show. They're having a "Big Party, Small Art" at Wellesley College on September 27th. If you're in the Boston area, check it out! Fun ahead!

Tulip. This little 6" square painting (paper mounted on board) will be in the @artwellesley fundraising auction. Art Wellesley is a wonderful new arts organization in Wellesley, MA. I have done a class and shown my work at their spring show. They're having a "Big Party, Small Art" at Wellesley College on September 27th. If you're in the Boston area, check it out! Fun ahead!

Painted collage papers. Yesterday I painted a lot of paper for some collage in the works. I've never studied color and just go by feeling. I almost never use colors straight and love to use odd combos—light green and a hint of magenta, red with blue and brown, etc. I never think, just play and make a mess. A great day! Today, cutting and pasting...

Painted collage papers. Yesterday I painted a lot of paper for some collage in the works. I've never studied color and just go by feeling. I almost never use colors straight and love to use odd combos—light green and a hint of magenta, red with blue and brown, etc. I never think, just play and make a mess. A great day! Today, cutting and pasting...

Sketch. All I need to cogitate on the universe...

Sketch. All I need to cogitate on the universe...

Sketch. Drawing just for myself. Usually I have deadlines so I'm enjoying the chance to just explore a bit without an end goal. We'll see what tomorrow brings.

Sketch. Drawing just for myself. Usually I have deadlines so I'm enjoying the chance to just explore a bit without an end goal. We'll see what tomorrow brings.

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