On my first visit to Portofino, I walked up to Castello Brown above the harbour to see a photography exhibit, featuring many Hollywood stars of the 50s and 60s that had wined and dined in this beautiful Italian resort town. It was a bit surreal to see Humphrey Bogart, Frank Sinatra, and Audrey Hepburn lounging at the same cafe tables I had just passed.

And maybe I was star-struck after that exhibit, but on my return down to the town I was certain I spotted Ashton Kutcher lunching at a restaurant along Calata Marconi with his then-wife, Demi Moore. Sure, they were both wearing huge sunglasses and he had on a hat, but after two more non-stalker-like walk-by’s, I was sure it was them despite their paparazzi disguises. Portofino really was a star haven!

On my second visit to Portofino last year, I was ready for more star-gazing, but alas, I couldn’t find any, and believe me, I was looking! With no glamorous celebrities in sight, I instead decided to BE the glamorous celebrity and recreate that romantic Kutcher-Moore lunch with my husband at a fine Portofino restaurant. I wore the hat and he wore the huge sunglasses this time, but our Riviera glamour was just as electric!

This new miniature is based on a Portofino photo from my first visit… but without the Hollywood stars.  Let your imagination fill them in!

#165 – Calata Marconi, Portofino

2.5″ x 3.5″ ink and watercolour

Original available now on my Etsy Shop