justretired

I am an artist visiting Northern Italy ( Lakes, Dolomites, Venice, and Milan) in September/October. I work primarily in watercolor and plan on bringing camera, sketch books, and some paints and paper, though I'll do most of my painting when I return home.

Last year when I traveled to Provence, I asked this question, and got fascinating answers. I actually saw things that I think I wouldn't have noticed without your help. I thought I'd ask those of you who know Italy so well- what would you paint if you were an artist? Clearly, what one person thinks beautiful or interesting might not be so to another. For example, on an earlier trip to Italy, in addition to small villages and perched towns, I photographed windows, doors, and toilets. I always look at the wonderful faces in cafes, the birds and flowers in the parks, and the changing faces of children.

As an artist, I have always thought that I am observant, but I've come to realize that, in a foreign country, in particular, one misses all sorts of things.

So, everyone, what would you paint if you could?

Thanks,

Margret



What would you paint if you could?

bobthenavigator

Oh my, do you have an hour?
As a photographer I too try hard to perceive the unusual. You are going to the right places--I would hope to include the Ligurian coast as well. Let me brainstorm some of the most enchanting places to me. Holler if you want to see my Bella Italia photo gallery:
Orta San Guilio
Varenna
Portovenere
Portofino
Castelrotto
Riva del Garda
Merano
Castelrotto/ Val Gardena
Burano
Venezia

That is a good start !

progol

Oh, where to begin?
Venice:
-Reflections in the canals (gondolas, especially)
-Gondolas, especially against a dramatic sunset
-Bridges over the canals
-The colorful houses on Burano
-Market activity (anywhere)
-Carnival masks on display in the shops
-the island of Torcello -- many interesting sights and images there
---
Milan
-The Duomo in Milan (climb on the roof, check out the gargoyles!_
-The train station! Great light and deco architecture
-Giardini Pubblico, a lovely park in Milan-- on a Sunday, it's a great place to see families and young lovers

(will continue this, need to answer the phone!)
Paule

kenderina

I very much liked the Galleria Vittorio Emmanuel in Milan with its shops and cafes and found the view of La Scala Theatre just as you go out the gallery a big surprise, a very nice place

rex

Villa Balbianiello, little streets in Bergamo (la citta alta), Venice all over, la Rotonda, the vineyard-covered valley walls as you approach BrennerPass, the fountain in the main piazza in Trento.

Best wishes,

Rex

justretired

Bob, I'd love to see your photos. Please send a link or some other way to view them. I might even paint something from one of them- I often use other photos in addition to my own ( that is, if you don't mind).

Thanks, all. Any other thoughts?

progol

Kenderina, I agree-- the Galleria is lovely and enjoyable to visit.

In Bellagio, we stayed at the Hotel Du Lac and had a great view of the lake with some of the most spectacular sunsets ever.

If you do visit the Ligurian coast, I second Bob's recommendation of Portovenere. It is a town rich with spectacular vistas. Climb the lovely 13th century Church of San Pietro for great views. Or visit the Byron Grotto, where Byron and Shelley swam. Or observe the painted houses along the waterfront. The light and the color of water will tempt you!

I love Italian churches -- the fronts are often beautiful and ornate.

I also love the feeling of almost any narrow cobblestoned street, with or without people on it.

I love closeups of foodstuffs in stores and markets. Rows of colorful vegetables, for instance, or a display of elaborate pastries.

-
I'll have to look at my photos (sorry, these are NOT digitized!) and see what other images I can remember that hasn't been mentioned yet.
Paule

azure0327

Italian Lakes (Stresa): the gardens and sculptures of Isola Bella

bobthenavigator

Here it is Margret. Hope this helps !

http://www.worldisround.com/articles/23970/index.html

justretired

Bob, the photographs are lovely-they are well composed and the color and mood is extraordinary. Thanks for sending the link. I particularly liked Gondolier's Hat, Tuscan Morning, and Gondolas, but many of your landscapes are also extremely moody and beautiful. It's difficult to chose a favorite, but then again, why chose?

Last year, while in Provence, we were told about the lacey metal campaniles of Provence, which are actually the bell towers that allow the high winds of the Mistral to pass through. Since all villages have at least one church, I wound up taking many pictures, though I haven't painted any yet. I did paint a watercolor grape vine up close (we were in Provence during the grape harvest) and a contemporary view of Roussillon in egg emulsion. Wonder what will excite me this year!

Thanks again,

Margret

motor_city_girl

justretired...I would love to see some of your work. What an awesome experience for an artist! One of my favorite art books is a photography book of doors in Charleston, S.C. Beautiful architechture!

So, please forgive this childish response but if I were to "wee" an artist I might freak out! If I were to "wee" an artist in Northern Italy, I would blame it on the wine and hope he was a handsome lad! Thanks for the great laugh! Best of luck with your inspiration!

justretired

Sorry about the typo in the title- when I previewed the first post and then tried to edit it, I couldn't edit the title. My husband said I needed to edit the title "before" going to preview. I guess I should have cut and pasted and started over again. These things elud me sometimes.

It's interesting that you mention doors. I'm currently working on a colored pencil drawing of doors throughout Provence. Pencil drawings are tedious, and I haven't been in the mood recetnly, but you reminded me that I should get back to the drawing.

I need to get my stuff on the web- Larry, my husband, is a computer person, and we've talked about setting up a web site. But, so far, we haven't had the energy and time to do so. I live in the Boston area and occasionally have shows, but mostly these days, I paint for myself and on commission. It's very joyful. I used to be a social worker, and sometimes, I think that this is a lot more fun. I do miss social work sometimes, but I teach kids and adults and get lots of social interaction that way.

Any other ideas of things to photo or paint? Thanks.

progol

Hi, Margret,
I just looked at some of my photos, and a recurring image that I like is looking out a balcony or terrace window/doorway out onto an attractive vista. So the doorway theme repeats itself, but looking through it, rather than at it.

I like Isola Bella, too, and liked the smaller, more intimate Isola Madre even more; it had lovely gardens and peacocks walking around freely.

Would also love to see your work!
Paule

lilminkey

Justretired,I am guessing your art work is a more for your own pleasure and not done as a professional painter. I am curious thats all. I am also a watercolorist and know what a difficult medium we work in.I find interesting subject matter such as resturants which have coat racks with hats great.I also think rooftops and old chimneys interesting.I would take a look at schools try to get photos of shoes ,boots or jackets lined up in some order.Soccer games with teams huddled.If you go to listen to music instruments are great,also flags .In nature watercolor can be glorious,but depending on what level of experience ,and or talent. I believe this subject requires lots of practice.Artist do look at things different.O yes if you like still life I would think that photos of Markets with vegetable stands and fish lined in outside markets on ice would be a great subject.I could go on for hours I hope these ideas help good luck.

justretired

I've been painting for over 20 years, and consider painting somewhere between an avocation and a profession. I don't paint solely for income, but do sell, though not as often as I used to. As I've aged, it's become less important for me to sell, and more important to paint what I love.

I love watercolor because it offers many different techniques and approaches. I love landscape in person and in photos, and am not a novice painting them, but am drawn to paint things that are more close-up. I love flowers and gardens, children, old people on park benches, animals of all sorts. I see beauty and humor in the strangest places.

Lilminkey, I love your suggestions of hat racks, shoes and boots lined up, chimneys and roofs, etc. Paule, you reminded me again about the flair Italians have of displaying things for sale- from veggies and pastries to their kitchen gadgets- everything is displayed with taste. I remember from my last Italian trip the wonderful window boxes all lined up as well as endless beautiful store windows. Everyone's ideas are stimulating, and I don't leave for Italy until September!

I agree with Lilminkey that artists may look at things differently. As I explain to my students, learning to paint requires learning to see things in new ways. And that's a lot of fun! You should all try it.

lilminkey

Justretired, have a wonderful creative trip. best wishes

OneWanderingJew

Sorry folks, don't want to hijack this thread but wanted to tell Bob that I really enjoyed his photos.

BTW, I am not an artist but I do love art...

hlocke1

Burano, I think... the colors are so vivid, but it has the charm of Venice. =) Enjoy your trip!

fairfax

I am not a painter, sadly, but a photographer. I try and find the little things that are often overlooked, like gateways, doorways, the way a corner looks, a pathway with a turn...

I took pix of a friend's brother's castle (how cool is that!) and when i showed them to her, she was amazed at what i saw and how i saw it.

I moved to wales this past march, and am now working on taking pix of a different castle each week, but finding the interesting little bits.

bobthenavigator

Molto grazie OWJ.