Neive Mural Detail
– by Gabriella Piccatto

On my trip to Italy, I visited a number of art treasures – the Bernini sculptures in the Galleria Borghese, the Giotto frescoes in Padova’s Scrovegni Chapel, Bellini’s “Baptism of Christ” in Vicenza – all awesome! However one unassuming work of art in Neive, Piemonte was one of my art highlights – it was a superior version of urban sketching and mural painting by local painter, Gabriella Piccatto.

In the middle of town, on a portico wall, resides a mural of Neive taken from a bird’s eye viewpoint. It’s colourful, joyful, charming. As a new student of sketching, I stood in front of it for several minutes, examining the drawing work, the colour choices and painting, and just taking in the “feeling” of the work – vibrancy, energy of the community. It inspired me to “feel” more of my travel journal subjects – I wasn’t always successful in tapping into these emotions.

Here are a few more photos – my photography doesn’t do this work justice. If you are ever in Piemonte Italy, take the trip to Neive (on Italy’s Most Beautiful Villages list, too) and look for this mural.

Neive Town Mural
– by Gabriella Piccatto

Neive Town Mural Detail
– by Gabriella Piccatto

The Artist’s Signature