“Creativity takes courage.” — Henri Matisse
Where would we be without Art?
The world of ART is a fascinating place, filled with all kinds of unusual beauty, stories of artists that inspire, and creative endeavors that are simply astounding. If we listen closely Art will talk to us… and if we open our eyes and really look we will discover through ART new truths about ourselves.
It is true! The EARTH without “ART” would be just “EH.”
Latest from the Art of Loving Italy Blog
The mystery of Isabella de Medici: in her own words she explains how she died
Image Credit: Studentessa Matta Illustration of Isabella de Medici This article was written for and published by Women Writers, Women’s Books Greetings, my dear friends. My name is Isabella de’ Medici, but many called me the Star of Florence! I was born into the powerful and wealthy Medici family. My father, Cosimo, the Grand Duke…
Continue Reading The mystery of Isabella de Medici: in her own words she explains how she died
Is David naked… or is he nude? That is the question!
Everyone’s talking about David (and now I’m chiming in too)! What is the fuss all about?Why is everyone so hot and bothered? Michelangelo’s David, original sculpture in the Academia in Firenze Apparently, someone in Florida just noticed Michelangelo’s 15th-century sculpture of David doesn’t have a stitch of clothes on! They just realized — David, in…
Continue Reading Is David naked… or is he nude? That is the question!
Florence’s treasure trove of art saved by last living Medici – Anna Maria
Photo Credit: Anna Maria de’ Medici The Medici family name is well known in Florence and throughout the world. The House of Medici was a banking family, a political dynasty, and later a royal house that began gaining prominence under Cosimo de’ Medici in the Republic of Florence during the late 14th century. The Medici…
Continue Reading Florence’s treasure trove of art saved by last living Medici – Anna Maria
Playlist of Italian songs that inspired me as I wrote my novels
Appreciating the art of Italy includes learning more about the music of Italy. Art, music, and literature inspire. The creative process: Incorporating music and writing. Every writer has a different writing style and specific preferences for how they go about the creative process. Some writers have particular rituals or habits they perform before or during…
Continue Reading Playlist of Italian songs that inspired me as I wrote my novels
Learn & Live in Lucca! 2023 Italian Language Immersion Program
Image Credit: Adobe Stock View the original post in Italian on the Studentessa Matta website. Matta and Lucca Italian School 2023!Do not miss the opportunity to live the dolce vita in Lucca! Looking to immerse yourself in the Italian language and culture? Look no further than the Studentessa Matta Italian Language Immersion program in beautiful…
Continue Reading Learn & Live in Lucca! 2023 Italian Language Immersion Program
Take a page out of Leonardo da Vinci’s notebook — be curious and never stop learning!
Image Credit: Adobe Photo and Studentessa Matta The wisdom of Leonardo da Vinci This article first appeared on the Studentessa Matta website. Click to read in Italian. Leonardo da Vinci was an exceptional human. The epitome of the iconic Renaissance man, he was a master in various fields, including painting, sculpture, architecture, engineering, mathematics, music,…
It is the dawn of a new ART era… DALL•E art creator is here.
Image Credit: Melissa and the machine (aka, DALL•E AI art creator) Holy Vincent Van Gogh, my eyes are starry! Paint me green and call me a Picasso painting!!! By the brushstrokes of Leonardo da Vinci, Mona Lisa’s smile is broader than ever! Let me tell you about the first time — me — a professional illustrator,…
Continue Reading It is the dawn of a new ART era… DALL•E art creator is here.
Read an Italian Novel: 2023 Spring Book Club begins in March!
Image Credit: Deposit Photos Sono prontissima per il 2023 Matta Spring Book Club! Anche tu? I’m super ready for the 2023 Matta Spring Book Club! Sign up for the Matta Book Club Group & Individual Sessions Ho appena scritto la Reader Discussion Guide per la selezione del Spring Matta Book Club, “Non ho paura, di…
Continue Reading Read an Italian Novel: 2023 Spring Book Club begins in March!
Love letters from Juliet
Photo Credit: Studentessa Matta (To read this in Italian, visit the Studentessa Matta website) Verona has long been considered “the” city of love based on several literary traditions. Verona has long been considered “the” city of love based on several literary traditions. It is, after all, the fabled setting of William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet.…
The author
Meet Melissa
Melissa Muldoon is an artist, illustrator, graphic designer, and the principal behind Matta Press. She is the author of “Dreaming Sophia” and “Waking Isabella,” and Eternally Artemisia She has also co-translated her second novel, “Waking Isabella,” into Italian — “Il risveglio di Isabella.”
Through books, blogs, videos, podcasts, social media, and programs to learn Italian in Italy, Melissa promotes the study of Italian language and culture.
