Juan Corbett

She was in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy on a skiing holiday, I was there on business, a meeting with a big shot named Sir Charles Lytton, who's in the jewelry business. While there it would have been criminal to pass up a few runs down those beautiful Dolomite mountains surrounding this quaint village. All the fresh powder around there this time of year is picture postcard pretty.

Saw her on a chairlift going up the mountain, those green eyes ignited my imagination. You know I wanted to meet her, she never looked my way on the ride to the top. It was getting late in the day and I was up for another run before the night fell. Within a few minutes a plan comes to my mind on how I might meet her. Simply position myself next to her before the run down and causally strike-up a conversation.

Welp, as you well know, our plans don't always turn out the way we want. As I come off the chairlift I see her push-off down the slope. Undaunted, my new plan is to catch-up and follow her down to where ever she is going. Maybe a cup of cocoa or a hot toddy at the end of the run would be fun.

The task at hand seemed easy enough, just go faster than I ever had on skies. Not saying I'm a great skier or even a good skier, but, how difficult is it to let gravity do its thing. If I could stay in a upright position and avoid the trees it should be easy breezy—right? I see her up ahead about two hundred yards away. Zipping along, passing people like they are standing still, zig zagging around every obstacle. I am within ear shot of her, I can smell the perfume from her air-stream.

One little thing I hadn't figured into this brilliant plan—stopping. Swoosh right past this lovely green-eyed gal. I narrowly avoid running her over, so close was this near miss our jacket sleeves kiss. My speed wasn't slowing every time I tried to put on the brakes. Welp, some how, some way, my skies get crossed sideways, turning me into a tangled mess bouncing down the mountain.

I must have been knocked-out during this fresh powdered free-fall. Opening my eyes I see hers, leaning over me and gently rubbing my chest. Those lime-green eyes, their luminosity paired with the crisp temperatures on her skin inspired me. This image of her froze me or am I in shock. Maybe I'm dead and dreaming this before ascending to the heavens.

She keeps repeating "stai bene, stai bene. I'm all sprawled out half covered in snow, trying to muster up any cool I may have remaining after this great fall from grace. "Sure I am sweetheart why do you ask". "How about a margarita when we get down"? She replies with, "the direction that left ski of yours is pointing, may indicate a broken leg". The ski patrol is right there on top of the situation. She is gone.

I find myself planted in my hotel room with my first broken bone and cast. Enjoying my cocoa with tiny marshmallows wondering what happened to her. The phone rings, its the big shot jewelry guy, Sir Charles Lytton the man I'm in town to meet. He is in the parking lot on his way up to my room. "Since your leg is broken Juan, I'll bring the meeting to you". As I'm waiting his arrival, I wonder how could he know I've just broken my leg. We haven't spoken in a week. Hmm? Tap, tap at the door. I open it to find those margarita lime eyes with a smile standing right there before me, with Sir Charles snuggled-up behind. Whoa?

Her name was Marta, Charlie's mistress. We sit down and get to business. She pulls a black silk sack from her purse and pours a batch of diamonds onto the table. Wow, wow, wow. Is this a joke or what? Here I am in Cortina meeting with a dude named Sir Charles Lytton, whom wants to sell me pink diamonds. I did notice he was wearing white gloves when he came in. Is detective Clouseau about to bust in? Where is Henry Mancini with the Pink Panther music?

This original painting by Juan Corbett is 20" x 24" acrylic on canvas and available for you or a friend. This price of $595.00 includes FREE shipping within the USA. These prices are a 50% savings over a traditional Gallery acquisition.

The paintings of the "Faces from the Places" series are very collectable. Shoot me an E-mail with questions or comments at; juancorbett@gmail.com , I try to reply within 24 hours, Monday thru Friday. Hope to hear from ya.
Thanks, ~ Juan.

She started it with; "you've never been to Carnival"?—"Oh, yes I have! Says I"! "The carnival came to our town every spring, I rode every ride they had, not once did I throw-up". At this time in history I wasn't considered an International man of intrigue. More like a barn painting plowboy on his first trip across the Ocean.

Out of OKC to NYC to catch a bird out to London. A layover in the JFK airport is the place where it started. I didn't know anyone North of the Mississippi and assumed every one over there were just as friendly. Turned out not so on this trip. Somehow within two hours of my arrival in the big apple, my brief case, then my watch had disappeared. Not gonna get any help or sympathy around here. This country bumpk'n was getting schooled real fast.

I slipped in to the airport bar to ease my sorrow, and a little liquid courage before the flight out. Small talk with the bartender led to some insightful tips on the ways of the World. A lady on a bar stool two over chimed in too. She was a little older than me, an air of sophistication, worldly in the way she spoke with an accent. We're having a nice three way conversation when its time to get myself on board that plane out. I get up to leave, she does too, me one way, her another. "Au revoir Juan" — "Goodbye Chloe"

Loading up, my seat is towards the back. Ya know how you pass though first class to get to the cheap seats, guess who is already seated in first class? Yep, its her right there, reading a book, looking all Continental cool. She looks up over her sunglasses, we exchange smiles. I throw in a wink and a head-bob for good measure. The plane is up in the air, on the way to London. This emancipated little buck is as giddy as he was the first day of high school. I had the same nervous confidence on this maiden voyage across the pond.

Despite the Concorde's average speed of Mach 2, three plus hours to Heathrow seemed like it would be a long haul. Turned out the time going over flew by. Chloe came to the back of the plane where I was seated and persuaded the guy next to me to give up his seat. "Bonjour Juan"—"Howdy Chloe what's up?", I saw your reading a book, what is it?" She says its called "Fear of Flying" by Erica Jong. "Oh, does flying scare you too?"—"Silly boy, are you being funny or what?" More schooling for this country bumk'n was ahead.

In two and a half hours we become fast friends. We talk about a to z and she tells me all about the book she is reading. A couple of new members join the mile high club and at Mach speed on top of that. When this Concorde's wheel touch down in merry old England, my plans and hers have changed. We're going to Brazil together for Carnival. She started it with, "you've never been to Carnival"?

After a couple of days in London we are South American bound. What a journey this was. The thrill rides down that way where beyond my realm of comprehension, it was scary fun. (I did throw-up at this Carnival). She was correct, I never had been to "a real carnival". This painting was inspired by all the night colors of that Carnival.

This original painting by Juan Corbett is 20" x 24" acrylic on canvas and available for you or a friend. This price of $595.00 includes FREE shipping within the USA. These prices are a 50% savings over a traditional Gallery acquisition.

Margarita eyes Italiana.

She started it.