Tag Archives: Italy

Aug21

Painting of the Week: “A Hill in Umbria”

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“Just outside of Orvieto, Italy, in the middle of the Umbrian countryside, you can see many views like this. The rolling hills covered in vines, one spilling into the next; beautiful stone farms dotting the landscape; and then entire cobbled villages, as if from a storybook. So much beauty to take in — and such great wine readily available to aid you in your enjoyment of all this grandeur. The best part is that the wine you’re drinking came from the land upon which you’re gazing.

“In this image, it’s the table that interests me most. When this photo was taken, there was nothing on the table, but the scene begged for people, for someone to please enjoy this beautiful vista already! So I added the wine and glass to imply someone is there — maybe several someones. It’s hard to say: This could be a wonderful spot to sit and seek inspiration, contemplation or just listen to the birds sing all by yourself. It might be lovely if company was on the way, or maybe is already there, just out of view. The importance is on you, the viewer: It’s your bottle of wine and your glass. Fill in the rest of the story as you like. This piece is about enjoying the moment, soaking in the view, enjoying the company you’re with, even — or maybe especially — if that company is simply your own.

“For me, the story of this place is deeply personal. It happens to be a stone’s throw from where my love proposed to me. He picked a place he knew I loved and made it even that much more magical to me. That’s my story; now, I invite you to create your own. Cheers to life’s moments!”

“A Hill in Umbria”

Size: 12 x 18
Medium: Painted-over photograph/mixed media
Price: SOLD — but Stephanie can repaint on commission in any size (click here to inquire)

To purchase more of Stephanie’s artwork, click here.

Aug14

Painting of the Week: “A Conversation in San Marco”

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“An evening stroll in Venice’s Piazza San Marco is a feast for the senses. The parade of humanity could occupy even the hardest to please people watchers.

“Piazza San Marco may be the only place in the world where pigeons are revered — treated like kings, in fact — and there is great amusement in the observation of the humans interacting with these birds.

“Dueling orchestras merge to produce a sensory symphony that goes beyond just the ears as the music, mixed with the dream-like setting, seems to vibrate the listener’s soul.

“In all of its past and present grandeur, the Cafe Florian stands proud among the many eateries and sees the comings and goings of many in a day, all there to soak up some of its history, hoping to be as inspired as its famous artists, writers and philosophers from another time.

“The architecture — ah, the grand, almost hauntingly beautiful architecture, the arches, curves and details of which become a part of my dreaming. Along with the people, it’s the architecture that is most captivating to me, and which is the inspiration for this piece.

“Who is the man engrossed in conversation near the lower middle right? And the woman to his left: What might her story be? They appear to be chatting with members of their party whom we can’t see. It is from this image that the title of this work came from. There is a girl in the lower left, drinking from a glass — or maybe she’s a woman; it’s hard to tell. Either way, she’s frozen in time in this moment, in this image.

“The orchestra is playing under the white canopy, but we can only imagine the music. The faces change daily, but the cafes always are filled with people in conversation. The unmistakable repetitive arches of San Marco take up a majority of the image, and serve as a backdrop to the people. My paint either covers or highlights what is most interesting to me about the image while honoring memory. Memory is changed by time, mood and personal history, as this photograph has been altered by me, and then again by you, when you view it, making your own assumptions and finding the details that most interest you.”

“A Conversation in San Marco”

Size: 16 x 20 x 2
Medium: Painted-over photograph/mixed media

To purchase Stephanie’s artwork, click here.