“The Secret Life of Sofonisba—the most famous woman you've never heard of” is now published! I am happy to announce my fourth novel set in Italy has been published and is now available on Amazon in Print and Epub. Despite these uncertain times of Covid, writing a historical novel about … [Read more...] about The Secret Life of Sofonisba—the most famous woman you’ve never heard of
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The art of Genya Gritchin
Surfing the internet I came across the art of Genya Gritchin, a Russian born painter who resides in Italy. This particular painting caught my eye. I was immediately entranced. The painting harkens back to Renaissance artists and classical principles of art. The picture tells a story, and … [Read more...] about The art of Genya Gritchin
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. To help you pronounce her name I've broken it down: Sofo-nees-bah Ahn-gwee-sola. Not only is Sofonisba Anguissola an unusual name, but it is also a … [Read more...] about The Marvelous Miss Anguissola!
Women hold up half the sky
As I peruse the internet, I often come across various images that are appealing to me or speak to me on some level. It is a habit to save these images into a folder to ponder and investigate a bit further, especially if the artist is unfamiliar to me. I’ve recently been intrigued by a series of … [Read more...] about Women hold up half the sky
La mia sala – Great way to improve Italian listening comprehension & enjoy art!
Are you looking for more ways to improve your Italian language listening comprehension skills? Would you like to learn more about art in Italy? Would you like to visit the Uffizi Gallery in Florence but are prohibited from doing so because of the whole Covid-Quarantine-thing? Well, you … [Read more...] about La mia sala – Great way to improve Italian listening comprehension & enjoy art!
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 a … [Read more...] about The Japanese art of Kintsugi explained
Mondrian: Learning to see the world & appreciating our beginnings
When we think of Mondrian, most of us only recall his later works—the abstract canvases referred to as “Neo-Plasticism” that feature only horizontal and vertical lines and the primary colors: red, blue, and yellow with bars of white and gray. Traditionally all art that attempts to represent … [Read more...] about Mondrian: Learning to see the world & appreciating our beginnings
Guest Post: Sabrina – Why I study art history.
The other day I received an email from Sabrina who is studying Art History at the University of Vienna in Austria. She is writing her thesis on la Pieve in Arezzo and asked if she might use a couple of photos I took of the church. In return I asked her to send me a couple of lines telling me … [Read more...] about Guest Post: Sabrina – Why I study art history.
Fra Filippo Lippi e Lucrezia Buti: an infamous love
There are lots of infamous lovers recorded in history, but one of the most intriguing is that of Filippo Lippi and Lucrezia Buti—he a monk and she a nun! There are lots of scandalous love stories but the infamous relationship of Fra Filippo Lippi and Lucrezia Buti is even more steamy than those … [Read more...] about Fra Filippo Lippi e Lucrezia Buti: an infamous love
Bruce Katz – taking the ordinary and making it extraordinary
I am incredibly pleased to introduce you to the work of Bruce Katz. Bruce is a friend of mine who lives in San Francisco, and I have been a big fan of his artistic vision and painting styles ever since I first laid eyes on his work. Bruce writes: I am a Bay Area artist utilizing the subject … [Read more...] about Bruce Katz – taking the ordinary and making it extraordinary
Spotlight on French painter Thomas Saliot
The other day surfing the internet, I came across the work of Thomas Saliot and found it extremely intriguing. Born in Paris in 1968, Saliot is a prolific artist who characterizes his style as “mildly modernized Pop art.” Saliot works on large canvases, using oil paint. The images which he … [Read more...] about Spotlight on French painter Thomas Saliot
The amazing world of Massimo Balestrini
It is a pleasure to introduce you to a very good friend of mine—Massimo Balestrini and share with you his art! Massimo Balestrini was born in Milan at the end of the '60s and after his art studies in high school he graduated in Computer Science from the State University of Milan and shortly there … [Read more...] about The amazing world of Massimo Balestrini
Raphael’s “The School of Athens” – Fun facts and rivalries
If you have been to the Vatican museums and wandered through the halls taking in the vast assortment of art and sculpture, then surely you have also happened upon the “Raphael” rooms located on the second floor of the Vatican Palace. In 1509 through 1511, Raphael Sanzio from Urbino, a rock-star … [Read more...] about Raphael’s “The School of Athens” – Fun facts and rivalries
Teresa Oaxaca — Contemporary American Artist who Paints with a Renaissance Twist
I am entranced by the American painter Teresa Oaxaca—not only by her paintings but also by the artist herself. At the age of 12, she discovered Leonardo da Vinci and by age 15 she decided to make art her career. Oaxaca, originally from Sacramento, California, studied in Florence, Italy, and now … [Read more...] about Teresa Oaxaca — Contemporary American Artist who Paints with a Renaissance Twist
The Art of Beautiful TV: Medici 3
I just finished up watching the third season of The Medici — Masters of Florence that is now available on Netflix. To read the article in Italian click here: Spoiler alert: Lorenzo de’ Medici – il magnificodies at the age of forty-three, and his wife Clarice dies at the age of … [Read more...] about The Art of Beautiful TV: Medici 3
Spotlight on Georgy Kurasov – Contemporary, Colorful, Emotive Cubist Painter
Recently I came across the work of Georgy Kurasov and was drawn in by the fantastical colorful images, reminiscent of 1920’s cubism. So, first, I was surprised to learn Kurasov is a contemporary painter. And then, I was amazed to learn that as a young art student, Georgy's teachers initially thought … [Read more...] about Spotlight on Georgy Kurasov – Contemporary, Colorful, Emotive Cubist Painter
