Italy

Home inevitably becomes home and soon we are unable to separate the defining images from the commonplace.  My fascination with the American South has meant that I have needed a counterpoint to provide perspective.   Annual trips to Italy become a part of your life rhythm.  It doesn't hurt that northern/central Italy is one of the most beautiful places on earth nor that you have a "thing" over Donna Leon's distinctive stylizations of Venice. 

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Venetian Red II (30x48) oil

Venice is the city of light and color.

Joy a Santo Spirito 16x20 oil

Running across the piazza of Santo Spirito is a joy for all.

Shoot! (16x20) oil

Children gather in the campos after school to run off a little energy and work up an appetite for dinner.

Busted (16x20) oil

Not everyone approves of the afterschool fun, or maybe they just want their turn in the hot Ferrari.

Tuscan Idyll (24"sq 1.5" gallery wrap)

A farm near Monteregiani.

Sunny Morn (16x20) oil

Watching his world go by in Assissi

Pietro fiddles (16x20) oil

Street musicians are an important part of life in Italy. This one works the streets near the Vatican.

What... (16x20) oil

Who's that new girl on the campo?

Street Market (37x37) Collage

Street markets are a mainstay of traditional Italian life made vivid by the booth owners and purchasers as much as by the goods on sale. The collage is composed of 4 16x20 and 1 4x4 oils of scenes (which see).

"Kilo please" (16x20) oil

Shopping the market is a daily pleasure.

"Nice tomatoes today." (16x20) oil It St Mkt

Like all markets the first step is to engage the customer.

"Half kilo of beans." (16x20) oil It St Mkt

The Parco le Cosine provides Florentines a bit of everything, except tourists.

First Mango (16x20) oil

Vendor dispensing mango parts finds an appreciative audience.

Sunflowers (16x20) It. St Mkt collage

The Italian home is not complete without flowers to brighten the morning sunshine. These were found at the Parco le Cosine (Firenze).

Poppies 2 (11x14 oil)

Piazza d'Erbe (18x24) oil

The ancient produce market in Verona.

Venetian Rhapsody (10x20) 1.5" gallery wrap

The city of light, music, monuments, and tourist kitsch-- Venice shows its moods in many ways.

Wills Clashing (16x20 oil )

"Street seen" series. Montereggioni with a bit of license.

Tuscan Poppies (48x24 oil, 1.5"gallery wrap)

Poppy 03 (11x14 oil)

Poppy 01 (11x14 oil)

Street Musicians (18x24 oil)

Street Seen series. Florence.

Chestnuts Roasting (18x24 oil)

Street Seen series. Rome.

Poppy 05 (11x14 oil)

Pesche (16x20) oil

The street ballet of the Italian street market is a fascinating glimpse into everyday life.

Capri Blu (20x30) oil

Few places live up to their press as well as Capri. Worth the ferry ride.

Hmm (16x20) oil

Street ballet? Where else could you encounter this than in Firenze?