A SPECIAL DAY. . .

Entry in " XXIII Premio Nazionale di Pittura" di Città di Civitella 2014

What made this day "special?  I was just supposed to go to Civitella to retrieve my painting, an ordinary procedure when you participate in a show outside of your own territory, and then return home. And since the town is in the vacinity of Arezzo, city famous for its goldsmiths and more, I was convinced that it was in a flat valley.
 It was a beautiful, sunny day, crisp temps but not cold.  We decided to make a day of it. . .to eat out somewhere nice and wait for the cerimony of awards at 3o'clock and then head for home. The drive was south toward Rome on the state highway. . . the warm sun though the windshield  made me  drowsy. Until


slowly the  road through a dense wooded area started to climb and we saw Civitella far ahead at the peak of a hill in front of us.

Civitella dates back to the Roman Empire and became an important fortress in defence during the many battles between Arezzo, Siena and Florence. It is important for its cultural  manifestations including this show as well as a sculpture show in the spring.

The medieville walls of the town are still visible

We stopped in the first piazza where we found a lovely wine bar-restaurant.

The restaurant is at the lower righthand corner of the photo next to the stairs that take you to the center of  town.

From the window of the dining room the view was amazing taking our eyes over vineyards, olive groves and breeding farms as far as the peaks of the  lower Appennine mountains

This area, the Valley of the Chiana, is the official zone where chainina cattle are raised and bred. Chianina beef is the only meat that can be used to prepare  the official "Florentine Steak".

Town Hall of Civitella nella Valley della Chiana home of a lovely modern art gallery.

 So this was my "Special" day. No prize but just a lovely, quiet day to remember.

Feeling "at home" in my NEW studio

my painting space

About 4 months have gone by since I made the big move from the studio in the city to my studio at home.  I'm not settled in completely, but then there isn't any real hurry. My painting area is fine and I am working steadily every day.  There is no "schedule".  I paint when I have the time, whim, or urge.  Some days I start in the early morning forgetting about breakfast or brushing my teeth. Other days I just look, judge what I have done and think about what I'll do next. I know this isn't the best way to work but, for now, it suits me.  I knew that there would be challanges for me here at home,  a mixture of responsibilities to meet, things I like (gardening) and things I have to do (cooking and cleaning). But I am happy and enthusiastic.  I am even searching for new spaces to show my work and at the moment am in two shows,

Show at Gallery ART-ART, Impruneta

 

 one in the Gallery ART-ART in Impruneta that will close Nov. 1

and another, a juried show, in Arezzo that closes Oct. 26, this Sunday.

So, you see, I have been preparing these and am looking for other spaces in the future. The reason for showing my work is only to have a deadline, a date that I have to respect, a date when I have to produce a painting.

It spurrs me on, gives me a point to focus on.

WORKING, Working, work i n g.

Connections  50x50cm   oil and wax on plywood panel

This is the painting that directly follows my last post and . . . I have a couple of others under way.
I am doing more than usual having many panels prepared and ready for use. It's good for me to have more than one painting in the works at one time, allows for more continuity. This is not finished yet but almost.
have  a  good day and thanks for visiting!

Finishing Up . . .

   There is little difference between the first and the final draft of my new painting. . . just did a little "cleaning" up and toning down where I felt it was needed.                          

"Connections"
oil and mixed media on canvas.  50x70cm 
final version

This canvas was first prepared with a base of gesso and stucco to give texture  and relief to the surface.

I continued using broad spatulas and large brush stokes to create  color fields and to blend colors one  into the other.

As always, my interest is in the anatomy of the human body, the internal anatomy, and, in this case specifically,  the spinal column.

Back to Work

 new work (in progress): ... oil on canvas 50x70"

This is a quick beginning for new work, still with reds but new in approach

Amazing is the way a painting can grow and develop in my head without thinking, without touching a color or brush. It's just there.

When finally I put myself in front of a virgin canvas and start to make marks and create color fields it explodes.

Maybe the pause in time is the triggering force.  Maybe it's the need, after a pause, to start afresh, try something new, new color schemes, new breath, new peace.

Whatever . . . I'M BACK TO WORK. . . a continuing process.

Redoing, Moving On. . ..

Connections - Red   50x70 cm   oil, cold wax on paper mounted on panel

This is the first of the two panels I have been working on as I put my new studio space in order.

 During the first stages of my moving days, I only had time to keep looking at it, trying to analize what was bothering me in this painting. (see last intervention in post: Red. . .who's afraid. . .). Then it slowly came to me. It lacked an important ingredient,  contrast . . .and, clarity.  I'm afraid I get so wrapped up in colors while I paint that I lose interest in the image.

Connections -  Blue   50x70cm  oil, cold wax on paper mounted on  panel

 

 This is the other painting that I worked on.  Again I wasn't happy with it (  see earlier version in post: Digesting my paintings and moving on)). The same problem,  I was too interested in color and  not occupying myself with the forms and contrast.

 I stopped here with redoing because the transformation is an entirely new painting.  And that is what I'm about to do. . . a new painting. This time I'll try to remember eveything the first time around!!!!!!

 

Coming Home. . .

My new studio: this is where I paint with all the natural light immaginable

 There have been major changes  in my world these last couple of months. There  hasn’t been time to write.  Since my last post, I have slowly dismantled my studio in the city and returned to my "roots"...my home. . . where I started out years ago. A sad and difficult decision but necessary.

As time goes by, I realize that my needs are changing and logistics as well as comfort are much more important than the physical place where I work. When I started painting seriously many years ago, I had a family to care for with all the obligations that involves. I reached a point when I desperately needed a space of my own to create a studio...a place where I could  concentrate my thoughts and energies on making art...somewhere where domestic chores wouldn't interrupt me. I was very fortunate to have had that beautiful space in the city for so many years with many thanks to my husband...my years of learning, experimenting, and growing. I will miss it.

But now the city has prohibited  entrance by car into the historic center. At first, I would ride in from the country with my husband directly to the studio. Then, when traffic was first limited, I had to walk back and forth from the nearest point allowed for our car to enter. It wasn't that far and would be good exercise for me, I argued. But soon the problem grew out of hand and I realized my painting time was slowly diminishing to almost nothing.

Now that family obligations have diminished, I can plan free time for studio work right here at home without having to go into the city.  The space that I can count my own is almost as large as the old studio, it’s just articulated in a different way.

I’m afraid I will be prey to  some of the old distractions and will have to work out my new schedule but, on the other hand, if I am working on a painting, I have it right there to examine, judge, and work on, even at 6 or 7 in the morning if I like!

Right now I am adjusting to this new situation, putting my materials in order… AND painting! Will soon post something new!! It will work out I’m sure.

Please take notice: I have changed the area where comments can be made. I would love to hear from my visitors, even just to see if this new method works.

My best to all.