Serata Italiana

 Serata Italiana

10 x 8, Pastel

It is hard to believe that it has been almost 10 years since I was blessed to get to go to Italy on a painting excursion! That was a magical 10 days, a once in a lifetime experience! To get to travel to Italy and then to get to paint was a delight. At the time I only painted in watercolor, not pastel, my preferred medium now. The pastels I have created have mostly been of the people I encountered and a few of Orvieto alleyways.

This painting is from the first evening in Citta della Pieve and is the entrance to the pizzeria at the Hotel Vanucci. I just loved the light and the cast shadow created by the lamp and vines. It is available at the Gallerie at Gruene.

Signora Italiana

Signora Italiana

10 x 8, pastel

Presenting the third painting of this favorite subject. As I have told before she was working in Citta Della Pieve during a festival. She had marionettes attached to her knees and feet that she made dance as she played her accordion.....wonderful memories of a fabulous trip.

She was entered in the Artoberfest art show at the New Braunfels Art League and tonight won second place in her catagory! This woman has been very very good to me.

Rainy Morning

Rainy Morning

8 x 8, pastel
Click to buy

Rain in Citta Della Pieve was a welcome site while visiting there several years ago. You see south Texas had been in a drought that year and we hadn't seen rain in awhile. This is the second painting from this photo taken from my hotel window, haven't posted the first one yet.

One of my prizes for the Merit Award  from the APS was a package of black Canson pastel paper. I have been having fun exploring the use of this paper, plus the challenge of painting a rainy street scene.

Living a Fairytale

Italian Farmer

10 x 8, pastel

Some of you who have been following my blog since the beginning may recognize this guy. He was formerly titled, Citta Della Pieve Farmer. I entered him and 3 other paintings in the Small Works for Big Holidays show at the NBAL gallery, and that title was too long.

I have a bad habit of tweaking paintings and then NOT taking an updated photo of them, such is the case with this painting. Oh, well, on to the fairy tale. This painting received 1st place in the show!!!  The judge was, Vi Dunn-Harr, a fabulous artist (Google her). She was very encouraging with her comments. She spent several minutes sharing her wisdom with me. I just feel so blessed to have great artists, Angie Banta Brown, Rita Kirkman and now Vi Dunn-Harr willing to guide me in my quest to be a better artist.

Gypsy in Italy

Gypsy in Italy

12 x 9, pastel

Well, folks this is the final painting accepted into the Artoberfest Show and it is a 1st place winner! This painting won the pastel division. I was so thrilled, excited, speechless, but it gets even better. My good friend and long time art teacher, Angie B Brown, purchased it. Angie is a fabulous artist, winning many awards. In fact she won the oil/acrylic division tonight. To have her purchase one of my paintings, is very humbling.

I had traveled to Italy with Angie, where we saw this woman standing against a building in the street in Citta Della Pieve playing her hand organ. But there is more to the story than I have painted here. She had wooden marionettes attached to her feet and legs. As she played the the organ, she moved her knees/feet and had the marionettes dancing to the music. It was amazing. So I can see her being the subject of more paintings down the road.

If you have the opportunity to visit the gallery this month and the first 2 weeks of November, please do so. There are some lovely paintings. The show will run through Wurstfest.

Weathered Beauty

Weathered Beauty

12x9, pastel

Click to Buy

This is just the first of, hopefully, many more paintings with this woman as the subject. She is a gypsy woman, who lives in Italy. I was blessed to get to see her while visiting Citta della Pieve. She played the hand organ as marionettes that were attached to her feet and legs danced. It was such a joy to behold and the small children loved it.

This is also my first attempt at a portrait of a female using pastel as the medium. I truly believe that portraits are easier in watercolor. Now there are plenty who would argue that point with me. 

News in Italy

News in Italy

10 x 8, Pastel

OK, I did try to paint during the holidays--this one. When I took this picture in Citta Della Pieve, I was struck by the emotion it evoked in me. He just seemed so alone and the news (I imagined from his body language) wasn't good. I have been wanting to paint it for quite some time. I am not happy with this, not getting the emotion. Perhaps it is because I left out the 4 empty benches that were all around him. Whatever it is, I just am not pleased with the results. So chalk it up to another learning experience.

He was wiped off and restarted once. Does he get wiped off again, but this time for good?