Art Adventures - by Patricia Banks©
Published April 2020 in Nanaimo Magazine and Voyager Magazine
Published April 2020 in Nanaimo Magazine and Voyager Magazine
It’s a short climb down the rock stairs from the train stop, through narrow, restaurant and shop-filled streets, flanked by pastel-coloured houses, to Santa Margherita di Antiochia Church which hangs on the edge of the turquoise Mediterranean Sea. Built in 1318, though it is argued it could have been built in the 1100’s due to it’s materials and construction methods, the church dominates Vernazza’s skyline.
Vernazza is one of five small villages that dot the Cinque Terre: the rugged Ligurian coast of northwest Italy. It has been a fishing village for more than eight generations of folks, with terraced gardens, vineyards and olive trees. It is an inviting, traffic-free, tourist destination and is visually perfect in all directions to the eye of an Artist. Santa Margherita di Antiochia’s raw stone walls rise as if an extension of the cliffs at the northeast end of this natural fortified harbour.
The simple Romanesque architecture has an octagonal bell tower topped by an elegant cupola. The modest entrance at the front is on the left side. Inside the small door, a long stone staircase of about twenty steps, greets the faithful. It is dark inside, which adds to its mystery and atmosphere. The wide-open space is supported by high stone walls and stacked stone pillars that speak silently of an ancient, haunting reverence. Many prayer candles illuminate the old wooden pews and a diminutive alter invites quiet, meditative reflection. History is palpable.
Words may describe many aspects of this vision and my feelings about it. But as reinforcement, I chose a mid-tone, grey drawing paper to keep my memories alive. Drawing etches the details on my brain and retraces my emotions. Art is about seeing slowly and absorbing the journey. I encourage you to take an Art Adventure soon!
The simple Romanesque architecture has an octagonal bell tower topped by an elegant cupola. The modest entrance at the front is on the left side. Inside the small door, a long stone staircase of about twenty steps, greets the faithful. It is dark inside, which adds to its mystery and atmosphere. The wide-open space is supported by high stone walls and stacked stone pillars that speak silently of an ancient, haunting reverence. Many prayer candles illuminate the old wooden pews and a diminutive alter invites quiet, meditative reflection. History is palpable.
Words may describe many aspects of this vision and my feelings about it. But as reinforcement, I chose a mid-tone, grey drawing paper to keep my memories alive. Drawing etches the details on my brain and retraces my emotions. Art is about seeing slowly and absorbing the journey. I encourage you to take an Art Adventure soon!
