Calabria, Italy

Calabria, up until now, has been untouched by foreign visitors. Italians have been having great holidays here for decades, but it has remained unknown to the rest of the world. Property prices in Calabria are a bargain. 

Not only this but the cost of living here is one of the lowest in Western Europe, with annual bills on many apartments not exceeding €1000, fantastic local cuisine and wines that are light on the pocket and one of the warmest welcomes from the locals you are likely to find. 

Calabria is a magical land with bright blue warm sea and lush high mountains. Around every corner is a new panoramic view. It has something to offer everyone, from beach holidays to skiing in the Sila mountains. 

The climate here is amongst the best in the Mediterranean with long hot summers and very short mild winters. Which means that for 9 months of the year Scalea stays over 20°C. 

The main towns are (from north to south): Praia a mare, Scalea, Diamante, Belvedere Marittimo, Cetraro, Paola and Amantea. The entire coastline has a stunning backdrop of mountain ranges which form the national parks in this part of Calabria (Pollino and Sila). 

The entire area has very little industry and the air is clean and pollution free and the people of Calabria live to a grand old age (one of the best in Europe). The other advantage of being on the west coast is the fantastic sunsets over the sea.

http://www.rightmove.co.uk/overseas-property/property-37676813.html

Sunday Studio - Ink Drawings on Rice Paper

Sunday Studio - Ink on Rice Paper

Figure Drawing Studio started today. Here are what I had this evening for two hours. I used up a whole bottle of ink.... Angelo Ciotti was in the studio too. A great evening!

5.5 Years of a Face in Time Laps Video

Bach - Cello Suite No.1 - Prelude

The silence before Bach on the train.

Wire Art

Biking on Golden Gate Bridge

While I had a few hours layover at San Francisco, I rented a bike to ride on Golden Gate Bridge. It was a very pleasant experience! I then visited SF Museum of Contemporary Art and learned about SECA program. The curators visited artists' studios as a part of process. I think it's a very wise concept.

Sunday Studio

Ginkgo Leaves

                                                            You paint the earth gently

                                                            With thousands of yellow fans,

                                                            Side by side

                                                            To meet white frost.

  

                                                        - Photography and poetry by Yang Cai           

Sunday Studio

"Landscaspes are more emotional than figures!" my art friend said  as we met at the park behind CMU. "Certainly at this sunset moment," I said, "Let's skip the studio tonight and paint the scene." I couldn't find a pastel paper. So I used a stretched frame to draw. My camera did a good job to catch the subtle blue dramatic tune.

At the Studio, I split the slate into halves, showing interesting mirrored images. Shall we call this camp fire dancing? Only two natural dialogs in one hour on this beautiful Sunday.

Sunday Studio