August 2019 – McKenzie Interior Design
Today is National Dog Day. Another made-up holiday? Perhaps, but let’s take minute to love on our furry friends, and our family favorite dogs is the English Springer Spaniel, a cheerful, intelligent, attentive dog. Read on about our three ESS loves…
Oreo, guardian of the youngest or the oldest person in the room 
Guard dogs? Not quite, but they sure were sweet shop dogs. 
Bisi looking for her kids Photo credit: Sarah Dorio 
English Springer Rescue America has chapters all over the United States. 
Bisi hanging out in Traditional Home spread. Photo credit: Sarah Dorio 
Bisi + Duke hanging out upstairs. Photo credit: Sarah Dorio 
Adventure Duke at Atlanta Memorial Park
Plein Air Painting with Steve
Apertivo, yes please!
Soldata Romano II
One of the benefits of being in one place for a longer period of time is you make friends with the locals. This was especially helpful as Steve wanted to make copies of historic rare books and ephemera at the local rare books archives, to incorporate into his paintings. With some patience and help with translating, he got more than he needed, including the Roman soldier seen above, an atlas of the region from 1785, and a lawyer’s goat skin bound book of contracts from 1635, all incorporated into various works of art.
It wasn’t all painting, there was cooking to be done, in Annette’s fabulous kitchen, plus visiting local museums, sites and an artists’ co-op. Check out Annette’s many workshops here.
A new favorite, Mutti tomatoes mixed with simple garden produce were the base for many suppers.
One of the artists shared some scrap chunks of Carrara marble with Steve. What an amazing new conduit for his art, another blessing from travels and learning from new friends.
Sculpture by Steve McKenzie – Carrara marble 
Italian seaside
Umberto Beach Club at Forte dei Marmi
Charming village
Steve and Jill enjoying the vista at La Fortezza