Today was a relaxing and fun day throughout Piacenza with my cousin Cinzia and her husband Pino. Together with my dad, we toured a beautiful old building that their theater friends are turning into a performance and gallery space. There's the ancient structure itself, with tall arched windows, facing a courtyard/garden that can serve as a summer event space. Cinzia suggested that we work together on an event here!! Um, YES! A small group of friends showed up to check it out,

Yesterday was surreal- maybe more than the rest of my trip so far. I prepared for my day, knowing that not only would I meet my dad in a town I'd never visited before here in Italy, but that our cousin- who we'd never met - would welcome us. I hopped a regional train from Borgo San Lorenzo through the stunningly gorgeous towns of the Appenines...and into the plains surrounding Milano. I had FOUR MINUTES to switch trains in Faenza, which is thankfully a small station...and mad

Cross-disciplinary collaboration is my favorite subject to "preach" on. And apparently I'm not alone. As I sit here at Officina Lieve coworking space in Borgo San Lorenzo, north of Florence, I'm sharing emails with people back home in Buffalo about across-the-ocean collaborations. I've seen many threads of connection between the work here (co-work, skill sharing, cooperatives, sustainable agriculture) and what's happening in Western New York. And while Italians have access to

Those close to me may know that this has been a particularly challenging and painful year for me- but not without its high points and joys. In part, I decided to take the trip to Europe because I needed fresh perspective. My life is at a transition point, and I am taking a hard look at the ways I spend my time and energy. Travel is, for me, a lot of hassle, to get to the good part. I don't think anyone is particularly fond of the work leading up to a trip- planning, packing,

To say that yesterday was profound would be an understatement. However, it's the best word I have. I learned more about the history of the House of Medici in this region, and deepened friendships with my Italian counterparts. Read on... I gathered with three other women interested in the history and future of the Mugello Valley region- first, to have caffè and pastry in town- and once fortified, we drove up into the Appenine foothills. We stopped briefly in Firenzuola, a town

I began my day on Saturday with another marker drawing of a Tuscan bird (well, not ONLY Tuscan, but it's one of the kinds I've seen frequently here)...the Eurasian Magpie. This is a closeup view of the drawing from the post yesterday: Copic markers blend beautifully, once you understand their tricks. One of them is: when shading in an area, color in circles so tones don't appear streaked. When you blend another color in at the edge, also shade in circles, "mushing" (yes, that

I've been meeting up with my new colleagues here in the Mugello region to visit historic mills around the valley this week. I am helping to research and consult on the possibility of a project which will revitalize one of the mills, maybe in a way that uses heritage grains. The project is still taking shape, but it is wonderful to be surrounded by a group of motivated and smart Italians who care about their region so much. Marta Landi in particular is from Borgo San Lorenzo,

This week, I've visited two more historic mills with my new colleague, Marta Landi. She has driven us around the Mugello Valley to several beautiful villages, where working grist mills still stand. Above is a marker drawing i'm working on, inspired by the beautiful birds of this region...one of which looks molto similare a Great Blue Herons - the Grey Heron. Also pictured is a Hooded Crow, and the Great Tit - pretty much a cousin to our Chickadee. Using Copic markers is a tre

The landscapes here in the Mugello region are jaw-dropping. I can't stop photographing all the roadside houses, trees, and mountain views. My latest drawing: Yesterday, I traveled with a small group of friends from Officina Lieve to La Mulino Faini - a grist mill in the Faini family for many generations. We toured it inside and out; it is the launchpad for a creative placemaking project during which I will help the people here document their history through muline abandonati

The small village (and town) of Borgo San Lorenzo has many charming aspects, and I've explored it just a bit so far, walking from my host's space- Officina Lieve - il centro storico e vicchino. Being here makes me very reflective, especially when I can only understand 20-25% of what people say. That means I listen more, and speak less. Perhaps an important lesson to bring back home with me. Here are photographs from my walks around town: