Jennifer Funnell

Ciao!! 

So, I’ve lived the first few months of my twenties and wowieeee there’s so much to discuss.

First year uni exams came and went, with a little too much lingering. But happening all around the little to no revision that I ended up doing was a dance of friendship, romance and very strange but wonderful experiences. A lot of the strange and wonderful experiences happened with one particular uni friend. We had night out, after a very peculiar day, which ended at a soho karaoke box, singing Italian anthems (coincidence, or foreshadowing?) Another time we were by angel canal and a palm reader appeared and we felt almost a spiritual pull to get palm readings – very accurate too!! But after the reading we both reflected on the interaction and both thought she appeared out of nowhere, like a spirit or fairy godmother! I think it’s my sweet terrible disposition to look into things and assign them labels like ‘meant to be’ or a ‘message’. Maybe its just a way to have more fun with life! 

I’m writing this to you from my room in Florence, on the fourth floor, its boiling here! And 17 year old me would be happy to know that I’m giving my art the spotlight on my first ever solo trip! I’m studying acrylic painting, still life drawing and printmaking from Monday to Friday, 3-7pm, and this might be the most inspiring time of my whole life so far! 

The day before I got on the plane to Italy, the 27th of May (2 months after I turned 20!), we celebrated one of my best friends’ 20th with a bingo pub crawl. If you haven’t had the pleasure of taking part in one of these you need to get on that! It really makes for the craziest night out!. We ended up coming back to their flat at 3 in the morning. My best friends and I stayed up past sunrise talking about anything and everything, we opened up quite a large part of our souls, and tears were shed. These nights, where you stay up all night opening up your hearts to friends that listen, are really the most wonderful things you can experience in my opinion. And we came out of it all feeling so inspired and supported, went to brunch together and then they waved me off as I made my way to Gatwick to get on the plane to Pisa. What a way to start a trip of self-discovery!

(picture of the sunrise through the kitchen window below, i’ve decided not to out our teary faces on here haha)

But now I’ve been alone for 2 weeks. Im half way through my time here in Florence. And these past weeks have been and will remain SO precious to me. I have learnt things I never thought I could – this is especially within my artistic practice as I’ve always dismissed the idea that I could work towards a hyper-realist work – I’ve given myself the space to develop and get out of my comfort zone (the best thing ever!!!)

Living alone in an unfamiliar city where you often have to speak in a foreign language to communicate is definitely something that was previously a little out my comfort zone. I wasn’t scared of the experience but more worried that I wouldn’t make the most of it or perhaps find it hard to find people I could experience the city with. But I’ve been fortunate enough to meet a number of openhearted people, that bring the same energy to experiences that I aim to bring. The people I’ve met have inspired me to look at situations more positively and have accompanied me in always having fun, even when tired (or hungover) or bored from the repetitive nature of learning painting techniques. 

I don’t want to say too much about this trip right now as I hope to reflect on it in detail later!! So thats all you’re getting for now! Enjoy a few pictures from my digital camera!! Also look out for the little film I make. Or if you’re a friend of mine, maybe come over for tea and I’ll show u the photo albums.

Thank you for reading, 

I probably sound a bit different! It’s all the change in the air! Wishing the readers of this blog wonderful changes and developments, self-discovery and perhaps an epiphany at 2am that makes u journal and tell your mum about it! 

Check out ‘Souvenir d’Italie’ by Leilo Luttazzi, a song I’m sending as a digital souvenir.

Ciao e buonasera!!!

Jenny 

coffee with new friends (i spend every day with them now!), the very leaning tower of Pisa (missed the tourist photo opportunity) and my first ever acrylic painting – when it was in progress.

PS. thank you to my beautiful, wonderful, funny, talented, caring friends that are all so different and inspiring. You all bring new perspectives to my life and i’m very very grateful to experience my twenties by your sides!!