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Monday, October 4, 2010

Some Enchanted Italian Evening


Here artist David Grath and his wife Pamela arrive at their beautiful Italian villa—no, thank heaven, it was Circa Estate Winery in Leelanau County! The wine was as good as Italy, and we did not have to speak Italian, though David is convinced that if you wave your hands around enough, the message gets through regardless of the words.


What would an evening in Italy be without music? Patrick Ivory provided that element.


Here it is, the perfect Italian marriage: art and wine, providing the gratification of discerning senses.


What do you see in this painting? I see rich, vibrant color and the mysterious depth of an old Italian masterwork.


These three small paintings form a perfect grouping above the fireplace. I kept going back to look at them again and again.


Early in the evening, before the crowd was too dense, David Grath had a chance to visit with David Bell, the man responsible for growing grapes on the Circa Estate.


The animation of the artist and his conversation partner here made a clear focus out of the question, but sometimes I find that the blur of movement seems truer to the moment, anyway.


Everywhere you look, everything at Circa is beautiful. For the reception, this definitely included the refreshment table.


The mirror! I love the mirror! Whatever it captures looks perfectly composed within that dark frame.


Leelanau cherry grower Paul Scott confers here with vintner Margaret Bell. Which wine is Paul drinking?


Colleen and Kate were clearly enjoying the atmosphere, and over Kate's shoulder I spy artists Woodruff Palmer and Bonnie Marris.


Okay, here it is. The important character in this crowd shot is the glass of wine in the foreground. Looks like Requisite, my choice of the evening, too. Delicious!


Here is David with Edible Grande Traverse editor Barb Tholin, her husband Charlie hiding behind her. We were delighted that Charlie and Barb made the trip from their peninsula, Old Mission, to ours for the evening.


Of course Charlie Wunsch wasn't really hiding; I just didn't get him in that last shot. But as he is the publisher of Edible Grande Traverse, I had to get him out front for a little well-deserved attention.

Since I always take more candid shots than posed, it wasn't until this morning that I realized I had no pictures of our dear friends and overnight houseguests from Hastings, Michigan, who came all the way up yesterday for David's show, bringing garden bounty that will feed us throughout the coming week. Could vegetables in Italy be any more beautiful than these? Could an evening in Italy be any more delightful than the one we enjoyed here in Leelanau County? Truly, I think not!



There are many more of David's paintings to be seen in the show that will be on exhibit at Circa through the month of October, and the weather is gorgeous again today, with more of the same coming tomorrow. Make the trip, the Italian Leelanau tour! You won't be sorry.

13 comments:

Karen said...

Wish I had been there! We'll definitely check it out. I agree, the paintings have the color and richness of Italian masterpieces. I will have to have one eventually!

Susan said...

Bravo i grazi for a wonderful event, you two! The lighting enhanced D's wonderful work, and the effervescence of his guests gave a patina of joy to his canvases. Thank you thank you for inviting us.

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful evening! You do know how to have a good time over there on that side of the Bay.

P. J. Grath said...

Karen, I wish you'd been there, too. Susan, glad you made it. (Have you two met?) The young man pouring wine made a rough count of 162 people, "give or take," so it was a good turnout.

P. J. Grath said...

Gerry, I don't know why your comment sneaked in line ahead of my reply to Karen and Susan, but it's always good to see you. In this case (the show at Circa), we had a LOT of help from our friends, notably artist Greg Garman, who helped David hang the show, Patrick Ivory, the musician, and David and Margaret Bell and Zack (whose last name escapes me), who did everything else, not to mention (but here goes!) all our wonderful friends who came to the party.

Deborah said...

And I missed the event! How truly sad for me. However, I have shared this with friends in Illinois who will be able to get to Circa in time for the show. Only wish I could go along with them! I know this was an event long in planning and that it took many hands to have it come together. Thanks so much for sharing these photos Pamela.

P. J. Grath said...

Deborah, it was indeed a very special event--though it would have been more special with you here! But how interesting that you were able to download this week's Northern Express and see the article on David before I could even send you a copy! At least we have these ways of sharing things.

Anonymous said...

Looks like a terrific time, wish I could have been there to share in the wonderful evening.

P. J. Grath said...

That would indeed have been icing on the cake, Maiya! We're hoping Carson and Kirk will have a chance to get up sometime this month to see the show.

Anonymous said...

This looks like an incredible day! What a great evening, too. I plan on trying to sneak up there before the 30th to see Ian so we shall see how things pan out.

P. J. Grath said...

It was great, Geoff. It would be good to see you any time, if you and Ian get this far north, but I'm sure he'll enjoy a visit from you even if you only get as far as Kalamazoo. And thanks for stopping by Books in Northport! xxxooo

Dawn said...

looks like so much fun!

P. J. Grath said...

"A good time was had by all," as the society columns used to say.