“When life gives you lemons…”
One of my first pieces from the first lockdown, dreaming of running on the beach.
Easter brought back powerful memories from three years ago. Our intention was to inaugurate Palazzo Florio at Easter 2020. The renovation project was well on schedule for us to do that. But then… the pandemic hit.
In March-May 2020, Italy was under the strictest lockdown anywhere in the world at that time. We were not allowed to go out of the house apart from absolute necessities like the supermarket and the pharmacy. No walking on the beach, no running, no bike rides.
And no opening Palazzo Florio.
The current photos at our reception. The trabocco pic is from the natural reserve of Punta Aderci.
I believe light fixtures can be art, too. This is Room 3.
I felt heartbroken for a few weeks. I set up a gym on the bigger balcony but did not feel any better by exercising. I was so anxious I couldn’t concentrate on reading. And there was only so much Netflix one could watch. I really needed to do something with my hands.
I’ve always loved sewing but could not source fabrics, so I had to find another creative avenue.
Luckily, the internet still worked. I spent time rearranging our endless travel pic archives and ordering my best photos as large canvas prints.
Then, one day when I was aimlessly browsing on Amazon, I stumbled on some artist’s supplies. Why not start painting?
You don’t have to be Michelangelo to enjoy painting. Splashing around with oil colors turned out to be relaxing, almost therapeutic. I began to accept that the pandemic was out of anybody’s control, not just mine. I had no power to decide when to open the hotel, maybe this year, maybe next, maybe never.
But the space was mine, so I could create an art gallery!
La Bagnante, Vasto Marina, at moonlight.
By the time the first lockdown ended and we were finally allowed to launch in June 2020, I had created my first painting & photography collection. We still have many of those original “lockdown pieces” on display, and I’ve continued to create some more.
When I look at my original room designs, which had a different concept for art, I think this is actually better. It’s more personal and authentic. And better aligned with my design principles: color - light - simplicity.
I’m not trying to say there was something positive about the pandemic. But this experience confirmed the old truth: things have the meaning you give them.
“When life gives lemons, you can make lemonade…or art!”
Sending you creative vibes,
Anita
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