People don’t take trips; trips take people.
John Steinbeck
I’ve painted the villages of Italy’s Cinque Terre a number of times because A) they are stunning and, B) this region has been a special personal destination for me.
And I’ve been hearing from other people how special it’s been for them too. One woman met her husband-to-be in the village of Riomaggiore, and a few years later, they married there. Another woman told me about her honeymoon in the Cinque Terre. And a new friend said it’s to be her retirement destination in 2 years!
It’s special for me because I went on my first solo vacation there in 2006. It was a last minute decision to travel solo, as well as to join a hiking group on this sea coast. I didn’t “hike”. I didn’t like to eat fish. I didn’t like to put myself in situations where I didn’t know anyone (let alone, share rooms with strangers). It was so out of my comfort zone, but it turned out to be one of the best things I’ve ever done. After this hiking trip, I took 3 more. I’m now a big fish and seafood lover (octopus is my favourite food!!). And I’ve travelled solo multiple times since and have met so many new people that it’s always the highlight of my trips.
When I decided to draw and paint Riomaggiore from one of my travel photos, I knew I would once again be way out of my comfort zone. I had never made an ink and watercolour piece this size (11″ x 17″) or this complex. It intimidated me, so I let the drawing sit there for a year until I pushed myself last month to start painting it. Like I pushed myself to get on that plane alone in 2006!
And beautiful Riomaggiore has worked her magic again! She’s helped me complete yet another new endeavour, because the painting is finished! Who knows what she’ll inspire next!
Riomaggiore (11″ x 17″ ink and watercolour)
A slideshow of the painting’s progress:
Art We Wonderful by Marion Younan 
Absolutely beautiful,! What a challenging endeavor! Thanks for sharing.
Thanks, Linda B. My pleasure!
Yay! 😍 I could look at this for hours, Marion. Great accomplishment. Adventuring is such fun; it makes us alert and alive. I would’ve tried to wrangle a visit inside one of these most interesting structures. I think goats must have built them!! 😎
Thanks, Janina! Yes, it’s a wonder to me how these buildings seem to be rooted like trees up these steep hills!
Amazing painting 😃😃😃❤
Many thanks!
Wow, that is one impressive painting. I actually tried scrolling for the artwork thinking this was a photo of the town!
Thank you so much, Heather! Your mistaking the piece for a photo is a big compliment! Lol
Oh it’s a compliment all right. Fantastic work! I love seeing your pictures.
I love this! And so much fun to see how the painting progresses.
Thanks much, Deborah! It was a challenge remembering to take those “in-progress” pictures along the way! Lol
Thank you for sharing my post on In Lumina!
What a beautiful journey you described. Your pictures were breathtaking. You do find small pieces of yourself, and strength you never knew you had when you do the things you want on your own. God bless
Finding small pieces of yourself – love the way you expressed this! Thank you!
Really lovely work. It looks sooo complicated. It must have given you much pleasure to do this work.
Hello and thanks for your kind words! Yes, it was a joy to paint this place.