Along the Arno

Along the Arno, 6x6, oil on panel

This is not my normal style but for some reason this little scene called for something different. And it is hard for me to paint this small anymore where once it was very comfortable.
The texture comes from two things. I gessoed the panel with a paint roller which gives it a kind of knobby texture to begin with. And second I had painted this scene already. Then decided I didn't like it so painted over it again. I do like the painted over effect so I am happier with the newer version. I also decided to use colored pencil instead of trying to paint the lines I wanted.

The story here is about the buildings. I do love the way the buildings in Italy are orderly yet jumbled. Florence has a lot of hills so it almost appears as if buildings are built upon buildings. The flower boxes are ubiquitous as well. It is one way to add color and get your hands in the dirt in a place with very little garden space.

Then and Now

An acquaintance/collector contacted me today. Here is what her email said:

I haven't seen you in a long while but did want to let you know how much I am So So ...enjoying your partings in my home on - going - ly!  I just moved one from downstairs upstairs to my office to so that I can look at it as I work at my desk.  I thought of you and how much I wanted to let you know.  Much love to you and our old investment group too!... Love... M

I have attached a photo of the one I look at now everyday in a new way...

Painting Along Cherry Creek, oil

I looked in my art files to see if I could find the images for this painting and its name. I could not! It is from before the age of digital photography! Oh My. It is my only palette knife painting and painted plein air back in the day when I was just starting to paint outdoors. It is very gratifying to know that it is still being enjoyed after all these years.

Spring Reflected, 36x24, oil on linen

And here is a painting I just sold to someone who found me via Nextdoor! One never knows how you will be found. I had responded to someone months ago who was looking for local art to furnish their office. I was never contacted from that post. Last week I had a private message from new neighbors looking for local art to hang in their new home who had seen my response. They are so happy with their new painting and it just so happens to be of their alley! Isn't it amazing how things work out? 

Urban Garden

Urban Garden, 30x30, oil on linen, available

This painting has taken most of this year to get it where I like it and the camera likes it as well. Sometimes the camera "sees" things I miss. Or it will pick out a paint color that just jumps out of the image and becomes a bulls eye. Finally, it seems we both can agree, at least for the time being.

This scene is in Urbino, Italy, a medieval walled hill town in the Marche area of Italy. Which is adjacent to Tuscany. I had read that Marche was so much like Tuscany except less tourism and less money. So of course I had to go and check it out! We were staying in a resort town off season. But this resort town was for Italians. So not much English spoken here. While at the train station trying to figure out buses or even a taxi, for pity's sake, I heard English! This is after trying French, German and English with the ticket agent in the train station. There was  a young woman taking to two others in English. She was a student in Urbino and her brother and his girlfriend had come for the weekend to spend it with her. They were all from England. She said they would walk us into town and help us get oriented as my internet was not working and the map I had found online for this seaside town was so not accurate on any level. While walking us into town (lots of pedestrian streets) she said we should take the bus on Saturday to Urbino for the market. Flea market, antiques, and normal food market was something to go and experience. I had no plans as I often depend on serendipity when traveling, so market day seemed the perfect thing to do. Urbino was all up or all down, with barely any just flat areas except the small main square. I was quite taken with it. This is not my first painting from that day going to market.

Urbino Alley, 30x20, oil on linen, available

Here are paintings I did from the seaside resort area where we stayed in one of the only hotels still open. As is usual in seaside towns, you can tell the foreigners because they are not bundled up and they are in the water, if only wading...In October it was in the mid 70's and yet you can see this bicyclist has on a down jacket and scarf...

Racked, 20x30, oil on linen, available

Adriatic Evening, 24x24, oil on panel, available

I hope you enjoyed your little tour of the Marche area of Italy. It is just south of Venice as the crow flies. But by train you need to go West to go south! Be prepared for little or not English if you decide to venture here. I liked that aspect of our 3 days there, but I know for some it is not comfortable. It sure makes it an adventure.