I was thinking as I walked to the supermarket just how much all the little things mean.

First I stopped to talk to some visitors I know from previous years.  They suggested that Pisticci would make a great place for artists to live or use to work in. Houses are cheap. People are friendly. Artists are valued.

Then round the corner an old lady stopped me to ask how I was and we had a short conversation. I haven’t seen her outside since last year.

That was after seeing another neighbour running along the street pursued by two cats.

As I was walking up the steps past the restaurant I wondered if my painting was hanging in the entrance. I remembered the day two people wanted to buy it as they were both in it.

In the piazza men were busy hanging the feste lights.

I said ” Buon giorno” to a couple of people on the way down the hill.

In the supermarket one of the ladies who is always there first thing in the morning greeted me. Her husband drives a bus and her son used to fix my scooter. It’s always good to see her.

I asked the girl at the till why there was no l’oreal red hair dye. She suggested I buy another type. I said that I’d used the same one for 15 years so I was comfortable with it.  She smiled and said,” Maybe it was time for a change.”

(I think they might have stopped making the one I like….I can’t even find it online.)

When I got home the man fixing the wall on the house opposite was busy plastering. It’s looking very smart and white now.

After that I washed lots of clothes by hand . They were all dry by lunch time. That included two dresses, two pairs of trousers and my favourite shirt. It’s so hot that dripping clothes dry in an hour.

It was very, very hot again.

I was thinking how bare and ugly my wall would look if all my paintings are at the exhibition so I ordered three big canvases. I think I’ve nearly got a plan for some kind of series.

Finally I decided to see if I could make a decent portrait using a better photo from the internet.

I thought that I’d use my neocolours.

One of these was only using neocolours  and in the other one I had added a few details and highlights with acrylic paint…..but I can’t tell which is which.  ( have just been to look and I think the first one has the acrylic additions.) It took me about two hours and was reasonably enjoyable as I only have to please me.

Wine time now. It’s been a lovely day.

Cheers🍷🍷