To read the original post in Italian click here! Despite the entire world being locked up in quarantine, and many routines and plans being postponed and canceled, my family finds a moment to celebrate a momentous event in our lives. Today my son is getting married. We are joining the … [Read more...] about Art, Life, Marriage in time of Covaid-19
Blog
SmARTalec — Art Cartoons
Today, just for fun… let’s go a little art hysterical! It’s time for a little levity in Art. These days we could all use a good dose of laughter. Did you know that Art doesn’t have to be a dusty, recitation of intellectual facts? No, not at all! You can always find humor in Art! And some of … [Read more...] about SmARTalec — Art Cartoons
The Art of the bidet and the urinal.
What is Art? Can it be found in the design of a bidet or a urinal? In my opinion, of course! I'm a big contender that Art can be found in the most unusual places — even the bathroom. It is all in the way you see and perceive things. Back in 1917, Marcel Duchamp put on display his "found art" … [Read more...] about The Art of the bidet and the urinal.
Spotlight on Alberto Pancorbo
Welcome to the Art of Loving Italy website, where I wax on wildly and enthusiastically about art and Italy. But that doesn’t mean my posts will always focus on Italian art or Italian artists. The Art of Loving Italy is a mentality – a way of seeing the world and all the beauty in it. … [Read more...] about Spotlight on Alberto Pancorbo
Artemisia Gentileschi – A woman who triumphed against great odds
From the first day, I was introduced to Artemisia in a darkened lecture hall in college, I have been fascinated and intrigued by the seventeenth-century artist’s story. Artemisia was a sixteenth-century artist pitted against a male-dominated society. During her lifetime Artemisia suffered … [Read more...] about Artemisia Gentileschi – A woman who triumphed against great odds
The man who wrote the book of Love — Petrarch’s sonnets to Laura
The only love that lasts is unrequited love. You’ve heard of Heathcliff and Cathy. You already know the stories of Scarlett O’Hara and Ashley Wilkes, as well as Dante and Beatrice. You may also be familiar with Charlie Brown’s love for the Little-Red-Haired Girl. But, are you familiar with the … [Read more...] about The man who wrote the book of Love — Petrarch’s sonnets to Laura
The Marvelous Miss Anguissola!
Sofonisba Anguissola – try to repeat that name three times fast! The name Sofonisba Anguissola doesn't necessarily roll off the tongue easily. Not only is it an unusual name, but it is also a name that, for many, many years has gone unnoticed and, for the most part, forgotten. The reason you ask? … [Read more...] about The Marvelous Miss Anguissola!
Umberto Boccioni and Futurism
Dynamism of a Cyclist by Umberto Boccioni As we turn the page and face a new year, I wanted to talk about an artistic movement that dared to break with the past and create a unique, forward-thinking expression of the world. The movement I refer to is — Futurism. In retrospect, Futurism … [Read more...] about Umberto Boccioni and Futurism
The magic of the Magi.
L’adorazione dei Magi, Giovanni Gagini, Genova, via Orefici ‘Tis the season to be triumphant and jolly! It is also the season to embrace the spirit of hope and miracles of the human heart. When we do — miracles happen. There is no bigger miracle than the birth of a child. It is truly a … [Read more...] about The magic of the Magi.
Bringing the “Grand Tour” home!
This is a post reprised from the Studentessa Matta Dual Langauge Italian Blog. To read the post in Italian Click this link Back in the day, to expand your horizons and see great works of art, you had to travel great distances to find it. It was called “The Grand Tour” — and no I’m not talking … [Read more...] about Bringing the “Grand Tour” home!
Playlist of Italian Songs for each book I write
Everyone has a different style of writing and a different way of going about the creative process. When it comes to music—some listen to music while they write, and some don’t. I tend to fall into the latter category. During the day, listening to music while I’m putting words together is far too … [Read more...] about Playlist of Italian Songs for each book I write
Eternally Artemisia Book Video Trailer
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NKurWrS4TVM There are so many things to do when an author publishes a new book! Aside from working very hard on the story for over a year (getting the plot lines just right, writing, rewriting, proofing, and rewriting some more) in my case, since I am the … [Read more...] about Eternally Artemisia Book Video Trailer
The Japanese art of Kintsugi explained
In my new book “Eternally Artemisia” one of the themes of the book is art therapy. My main character is a therapist who leads retreats in Tuscany. One of the techniques she teaches her group of women who have suffered abuse is the art of Kintsugi. What is this? Let me explain. In Japan, when … [Read more...] about The Japanese art of Kintsugi explained
Eternally Artemisia is published!
I am very happy to announce I’ve published my third novel set in Italy! Eternally Artemisia Some loves, like some women, are timeless. After an intense year—yet at the same time a very rewarding year—of research, writing, editing, illustrating, rewriting and countless hours of editing, I’d … [Read more...] about Eternally Artemisia is published!
Art and Artemisia come to life!
It’s been a while since I wrote a post on the Dreaming Sophia Art History Blog site. The first reason why I’ve been a little absent from this site is that for most of the summer of 2018 I was traveling in Italy. I spent the entire months of June and September, first in Montepulciano and then in … [Read more...] about Art and Artemisia come to life!
Arezzo Scarf – designed by Melissa
I wanted to share with you my newly designed scarf that pays tribute to Arezzo and la Piazza Grande! I have taken the original illustration that I created for the cover of my book “Waking Isabella,” depicting the medieval buildings that surround the Piazza Grande and applied them to an oblong … [Read more...] about Arezzo Scarf – designed by Melissa
