This week has been all about prepping and packing for my upcoming trip to England and Italy. It’s sort of wild to me that I’ve never been to England, given that I lived in Germany as a child. We traveled all over the place, but never made it across the English Channel. I know this will be the first of many visits, because there are so many places I want to see for their beauty and/or historical significance. A branch of my family is from England (I’m a great-granddaughter of Edward I), so it would be fun to visit some of our family homes and gravesites. I would also like to go on a “Kitchin sketchbook tour” to see and paint some of the homes captured in the sketchbooks I purchased a few years ago.
However, as we planned this trip, we knew we would have to choose one general area to visit unless we wanted to spend the majority of our time in the car. I am most excited to see the quintessential English countryside with hedgerows and villages, so we are going to the Cotswolds. We’re even staying in a traditional thatched-roof cottage, which I am very excited about. Julia has planned some Historic Trust homes and gardens to tour, and we’ll likely pay a visit to Clarkson’s Farm shop or pub since we’re both fans of the show. I think we have a nice balance of ideas of places to go while keeping our schedule flexible. I will take thousands of photos and write thousands of words so I can capture it all for myself and to share with you.
Until then, here are my four things for this week –
The poet-painter, what made me love words, art does not come easy, and getting ahead.
what I’m reading
I just received the book John Hafen: Utah’s Poet Painter in the mail this week, and I can’t wait to pore through it! One of my favorite things is discovering lesser-known, new-to-me artists, learning about their lives, and studying their work. I can tell just by an initial flip-through of this large, coffee-table style art book that I am going to be a John Hafen fan.
what I’m watching
Jeff and I visited an old favorite this week, a movie we watch once a year on average – A River Runs Through It. It was one of my favorite movies in high school, which is admittedly a bit of an odd choice. It started with Brad Pitt. He was my big-time celebrity crush. I had magazine clippings of him on my corkboard and everything. The only way to get a high school girl to watch a slow movie featuring fly fishing is to cast young Brad Pitt in it, and it worked. But then, I think it’s one of the stories that made me fall in love with words. I read the book, and next to the Brad Pitt clippings on the bulletin board were pinned quotes from Norman Maclean and Wordsworth.
I’ve watched this movie dozens of times, and I’m still moved by it; with each viewing, I pick up new things. It’s still a favorite.
what I’m loving
“To him, all good things…come by grace, and grace comes by art, and art does not come easy.”
– Norman Maclean
what I’m working on
I’m working on doing the things I can’t do when I’m out of town, like working through my pet portrait commission queue and taking photos for blog posts I can write on the plane or in the airport. I have also been working ahead on blog posts, so all I need to do is hit the publish button while I’m away. This is a work trip, but it’s also an opportunity to step away from my daily work routines and enjoy being present in a beautiful place.
Here are a couple of recent portraits I finished…
What are you reading, watching, loving, and working on?
19 Responses
Those dog portraits! They melt my heart.
Marian, you look REALLY great for your age if you’re a great grandchild of Edward I … more like maybe a great, great, great, great, great … many times! Just had to have a laugh when I saw that. Have a wonderful trip! I want to hear all about the Cotswolds, as it an area of interest when I (finally!) retire.
Ha, yes. It’s 22nd greats! I figured everyone would know what I meant. 🙂
Marian, I think you may have left out some “greats” on your Edward I kinship. I can’t wait to see all your posts on the Cotswolds. Enjoy your trip and safe travels.
Ha, yes! He is my 22nd-great-grandfather.
Your pet portraits are very empathic, beautiful portraits.
I’m loving them❤️
Truly, In all the years that I have been following you, I don’t think there is anything you don’t do
outstandingly!!!
Have a wonderful trip to Europe and go see the white horse
hills in the Cotswolds.
My all time favorite movie as well! Legends of The Fall being a close second!
Is your Mom taking the trip with you?
Enjoy!
Mom is going !!!! Yeah! I am just going wherever she goes. I am not even sure all the places we are going or all we will be doing. I’m pretty game for whatever. I have never been to England either. We lived in Germany for 10 years in 3 different locations, (Marian was around for 6 of the 10) but we never made it to England. So that will be fun. We both like out of the way places and are normally not into the tourist traps. We did go to Italy a few times when we lived in Germany. This is my 3rd trip to Italy with Marian. We travel well together. I think the highlight of our time in England will be Marian being face to face with Julia of Ponder and Purchase. They have enjoyed each other’s friendship across the ocean but never in person so this will be special.
Marian’s Mom
Have a lovely time, Mom of Marian.
Daylesford Organic is an absolute must see in the Cotswolds. a Truly inspirational space that will inspire you.
Those dog portraits are stunning! Enjoy your trip!
I know you are excited for the trip, especially to England. I visited in 2023. I made it to Haddon Hall and Chatsworth House before meeting with a tour group for the English countryside in North Hamptonshire. I can’t find words for it. I also have English and Scottish roots. There is so much to that beautiful country. I can’t wait to see your posts. Sounds wonderful. Your pet portraits are fantastic.
hello Love, I’m in the Cotswolds now, but one of my favorite spots is just below Bath, it’s Lacock, a National Trust Village, with the Lacock Abbey. Lacock is a huge filming spot for our fav movies- ie, Pride and Predjudice, Harry Potter….to name a few. And you must visit my favorite shop: Quintessentially English! Enjoy! ( I might bump into you if I’m lucky!)
Marian you are one talented lady. I have been following you since your PA days, enjoying your creativity along the way. Enjoy your trip. Can’t wait to read your upcoming posts.
Marian,
We just returned from a fabulous trip to England which included 3 days in the Cotswolds! You will definitely fall in love! There is sooo much to see- beyond charming! I took hundreds of pictures and am still going through them! How exciting you are going to both England and Italy- wow!
I have always admired all of your paintings- fabulous! I am taking lessons and wish I could paint like you! Enjoy your trip!
I should forewarn you that Mr. Clarkson’s pub has a bad reputation amongst the villagers, the London Standard recently ran a piece about it. If you decide to visit, I wouldn’t mention it to any of the locals.
Mr. Clarkson is not the most temperate man in any sense of the word.
When we visited Amsterdam last year we spent a couple of days in London. Aside from the British Museum, a ferry tour and L Cornelissen & Son art store it was nothing to write home about; too much like NYC. Next time I want to see the Cotswolds and little villages too. Switzerland is on the list as well!
I love that you have shared the John Hafen: Utah’s Poet Painter book, lucky girl to receive it in the mail! I first became aware of John Hafen and his paintings last year through his grandson, who happened to be my daughter’s teacher and has become a family friend. His grandson is an accomplished photographer, he shared a shot of a recreation of the Girl Among the Hollyhock he took with his daughter. I was so interested to learn about him.
I was able to visit the Cotswolds last year on my first trip to England, so much inspiration. You are going to love it there, all the narrow roads lined by hedgerow, limestone homes and buildings, rolling hillside and history! I can’t wait to read your post of your trip!