Moved By Matera
In 2011, almost a decade ago now, I visited the Italian city of Matera in the Basilicata region. A friend of mine had been born there and spoke of it […]
Artist Laughs In Flowers
Earth laughs in flowers. – Ralph Waldo Emerson I love this quote! I guess as an artist, I may laugh in flowers, too, because 3 of my recent miniature paintings […]
A Tuscan Morning Memory
In 2011, we stayed a week in the Maremma district of Tuscany at a lovely rustic country resort that had once been a seminary and boys school. The collection of […]
A Corking Good Bike
I’m a sucker for a decorative bicycle! Put a colourful bike in front of a shop or a restaurant, and dress it up with baskets or flowers, and I will […]
Tuscan’t Help Myself… Part 2
I love a good story and Tuscany is full of them! My latest Tuscan miniature painting is set at the site of a fantastic one! In the 12th-century, a wealthy […]
Tuscan’t Help Myself!
Do you most often travel to new places or to your favourites? On a recent podcast of The Bittersweet Life, the hosts discussed a traveller’s inclination to revisit the same […]
There’s Always A Movie Showing In My Head
I’ve come to this conclusion recently… like, last night recently. […]
Doing The Laundry, Venice-Style
Doing the laundry is not one of my favourite chores. Seeing laundry flapping in the wind on an outdoor clothesline, however… is one of my favourite images. Taking in frozen […]
Zoom Zoom!
A photo collection of Italy would not be complete without vintage Fiats! When in Italy, if one drives by or is parked on the street, I can’t help but take […]
Sketching Success On The Road
It’s been a month since I’ve posted because I’ve been on the road! Where else? La Bella Italia! This time my trip was part-business (lots of spring photos to take […]
I Could Retire Here
Text to husband: What’s your impression? Text back: I could retire here. This exchange happened this past summer, when my husband was on a 3-week solo holiday in Sardinia, Italy. After […]
Reflecting on Reflections in Venice
Looking through all my source photos to decide what to paint for my next Mini Vacations piece, I came across this Venice canal shot from a 2007 trip. It was one […]
Special Sun-Splashed Places
February days in Canada bring on daydreams of sunny warm places! My subconscious desires for warmth must have been driving the subject choices for these 2 art cards. Positano […]
Another Card Conundrum – Part Two
With 6 holiday cards in the bank, I kept trying to cast aside these urges to make more cards, but this time from scratch. For this busy season, I had […]
Simpler Isn’t Always Easier
I finished my second mini Artist Trading Card a few days ago, and decided to choose a simpler subject thinking it would be easier to do. Uh… no. A doorway […]
Inky Slogging
Inktober and watercolour classes are kicking my butt! So much art to make! I’m way behind but here are 2 of my latest #inktober sketches. In the Duomo in Arezzo, […]
