I recently had the pleasure of spending the afternoon with a world renowned artist that was introduced to me through a friend. When I called her to arrange our first meeting she warned me that I had to climb 92 stairs to her apartment. I think I must have unwittingly let out a groan of shock because she quickly pointed out that they were palace stairs, and therefore less strenuous then normal stairs. She went on to say that she was 86 years old and had just had a pacemaker put in, and if she could manage the stairs then so could I. I knew then by the feistiness in her tone that I was in for a treat spending the afternoon with her.
When I arrived at her apartment we engaged in conversation as if I had known her for years. Every once in a while you come across someone that you just instantaneously feel comfortable with. While I could not immediately put my finger on to why, I was drawn to her. Later I would understand why.
While I knew she was an artist before I met her, to me that meant that she had a little place in her home where she liked to paint as a hobby. I had no idea that she was a world renowned artist until I Googled her when I returned to my apartment. It was only after I met her that I realized that I had met a very special person, and thus was curious about her work. Despite her stature in the world of art, there is nothing pretentious about her. In many ways she reminded me of my grandmother. She clearly has a zest for life, has an air of strength about her and calls it as she sees it. I could not help but laugh with affection inside when she told me that she thought that I should wear my hair shorter as it would be less work to take care of.
While I knew she was an artist before I met her, to me that meant that she had a little place in her home where she liked to paint as a hobby. I had no idea that she was a world renowned artist until I Googled her when I returned to my apartment. It was only after I met her that I realized that I had met a very special person, and thus was curious about her work. Despite her stature in the world of art, there is nothing pretentious about her. In many ways she reminded me of my grandmother. She clearly has a zest for life, has an air of strength about her and calls it as she sees it. I could not help but laugh with affection inside when she told me that she thought that I should wear my hair shorter as it would be less work to take care of.
Her apartment was magnificent. Well worth the 92 stair climb. I have never seen anything like it. It was enormous and had the feel of a New York loft complete with the original palace doors and windows, but it was like a gallery in that the walls were adorned with works of art; some by her and some by other well known artists. As she shared some of the artists names with me she saw the fog in my eyes and said, without judgement, "You don't know much about art do you?". I had to confess that the world of art is a stranger to me. In school I preferred to dissect animals, and mix together chemical concoctions, to taking art classes. Despite this, spending time listening to my new friend about her life was one of the most fascinating afternoons that I have had in a long time. Going up into her studio was a real treat. Every wall was comprised of windows that looked out onto Florence. On her workbench was a piece that she is currently work on. I could see why she instantaneously fell in love with the apartment decades ago, overlooking all those stairs, as even I who does not know a thing about art could appreciate that this studio was a dream for an artist.
Our visit had to come to an end because she tired. I was glad to hear that she wanted Libby and I to come back for another visit as I was left feeling that she is like a great book in that I think that there is much more to learn as we turn the pages of our friendship. Seeing the historical apartment was an experience. If only the walls could talk. And it was obvious to even my eye that the artwork that adorned the walls were treasures. But as I walked away I could not help but feel that the greatest treasure before my eyes that day was the remarkable woman that I had the pleasure to meet.
