Venerdi in Venice: Shutter-Eye for Siesta

ink & watercolour illustration, 10" x 8" [25.5 x 20.5cm]

Venetians are so practical in our steamy summers.  I love how they filter the light while allowing for ventilation and cross-breezes.  Speaking of Venetians... {yes, we were ~ how coincidental...}

I thought I'd illustrated all of my own snaps of Venice, but as I mopped the humidity from my brow late this morning and searched for inspiration and one of those magical cross-breezes, I found this old photo of mine.  Judging by the way everything's closed on the street, I'm guessing I took this during the afternoon siesta.  And now, I'll shutter-up so that you can have one, too.

Happy Venerdi in Venice to you!

21 comments

  1. What?! No air-conditioning?! I must admit I love our venetians too (except when I have to dust them) but I think I'd prefer a sultry dark eyed type of Venetian draped across my doona............

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  2. Already I feel a bit sleepy looking at this lovely restful picture, and, like Debs, thinking of all the dust on the blinds and the wonderful Brownian motion within. I like these European siestas mostly for the non-buying opportunities they provide to give my poor wallet relief when it's on holiday.

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  3. Well sniff, sniff, I guess every Friday can't be Francophile Friday, sniff. BUT.......this is a humdinger!:)
    V

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  4. Next time I paint my house, I'm going to walk into the shop with one of your pictures and say, "Match that one."

    I was longing for a 90 degree day today, so we'll both compromise with this pretty picture of Venice. How wonderful that you can paint yourself into a cooler day.

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  5. Love the clean, open feeling of this one.

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  6. Excellent. Think I'll go have a 4-hour siesta right now. Those Venetians ain't stupid!

    Happy weekend, Shell!

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  7. How civilized for everything to shut down for some shut eye. That's living.

    Love the shades of pink and aqua!

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  8. The more I stare at this lovely sunny drawing, the less I hear the cold rain beat on the window! Amazing how these wonderful colors can lift my mood from blue to pink. Fabulous Shell!

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  9. So let me get this straight. You browsed through your photos in the morning, and by...let me see, 4:19 pm you had this--this lovely painting ready to post on your blog. I'm boggled.

    Which color, Hiker? It's going to be hard to pick.

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  10. Debs ~ to quote one of my girlfriends, if you don't mess with the carefully developed patina of dust on venetians in the first place, no-one's the wiser. Your other Venetian gathers no dust, I am sure...

    Mise ~ Brownian motion is enough to put me to sleep.

    Thanks, V!! I'm glad it's still some consolation to you. :)

    Hiker ~ I'll look forward to seeing the before and after photos!

    Margaret ~ shutters are much better at deflecting dust.

    PCN ~ I know how late you stay up sometimes working on your posts ~ if anyone has earned a siesta, it's you.

    Cali ~ it is civilised, isn't it. Those Italians know how to look after their post-lunch digestive processes.

    Katie ~ somehow, you just reminded me of those little ornaments that turn pink or blue depending on whether it's rain or shine!

    Petrea ~ your detective work is impressive!! I could have done with a shoulder rub afterwards. I might borrow Debs's venetian when she's tired of him loafing around on her doona.

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  11. Too good, especially the windows :)

    There's an award for you on my blog. Take it and showcase it on your blog!

    Beautiful Walls

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  12. Quite agree that the hues here are perfect & I have my own collection of Venetian stucco colors—just in case.
    Would love to send you some of the big freeze we're having up here. And maybe you can send us some of that steaminess. Now, about that siesta . . .

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  13. Bhavesh ~ how kind, thank you! And congratulations on being awarded yourself.

    Alexa ~ for sure, I'll see your 'freeze' and raise you some 'steam'. :) I hope you get to use those colours someday.

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  14. I'm always happy to share my venetian and as for the other ones - I'll remember that tip about the dust :)

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  15. Thank you, Debs ~ one good turn deserves another. ;)

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  16. Gorgeous. And I love the timber venetians I have in my kitchen window. I want to get some more for the upstairs window too. I say "the" because there is only one window up there.

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  17. MmeB ~ only one window upstairs? Maybe our resident venetian can pop over and hand craft a blind especially for you, from some vines and fallen branches that he'll thoughtfully drag from all over your property {and chop the leftovers into firewood for you while he's at it}. ;)

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  18. What a crazy random happenstance that you mentioned venetian blinds. ;) I've had them before and they are so useful/helpful during summers. Love the colors in this photo - especially the shutters!

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  19. Amy ~ yes, those amazing serendipitous moments are so fortunately convenient sometimes. ;)

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  20. This posting is making wanna eat a macaron and/or macaroon! So, gotta go.

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  21. Cafe ~ those colours will do that to a puppy dog. Enjoy!

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Merci, grazie, thank you for joining our conversation lounge. Your smile lights up the room. Even more beautifully than our crystal chandelier. x

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