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
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Happy 568th Birthday Leo!
Today, April 15, 2020 Leonardo turns 568 years old! Buon compleanno, Maestro! One could wax on and on about the genius of Leonardo (and over the years many people have!) how he was an inventor, painter, sculptor, architect and military engineer. He was a gifted man with a curious mind. His … [Read more...] about Happy 568th Birthday Leo!
Art, Life, Marriage in time of Covaid-19
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
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
Umberto Boccioni and Futurism
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 might seem a little out-dated — being over … [Read more...] about Umberto Boccioni and Futurism
The magic of the Magi.
‘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 mystery and wondrous thing, no matter what religion you practice … [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
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 author, designer, layout artist, illustrator, … [Read more...] about Eternally Artemisia Book Video Trailer
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
