Getting Started

  It always takes several days to wind down and settle in, after a long flight...then the search for supplies. It took a few days to find paint and medium, but we did. Bought some great brushes at a local paint store, and then shot over to Cortona where there is an actual art supply store.

I love the blue brushes, but they will be for the studio back home. 4.50 euro a bunch! Also, medium, oils and
latex gloves...

Can't wait to try these on large canvases back home...

From Cortona art supply store....

What's great about being here in Umbria, is there is inspiration everywhere. While Janelle works around the garden, I can just walk a little way in any direction. My first try is of a little house on the outskirts of town.

Janelle is taking photos while I paint.....

Find Johnny in this one...a little off center under an olive tree...
The burnt area is where the recently cut olive trimmings are stacked and burned in the early morning.

Johnny painting while standing..

The views are wonderful all around, and I'm happy to be painting here again. Still getting my bearings, though. It's been a year since I last painted "plein air", and I'm still drunk with all the visual stimulus. Everywhere you look, it's beautiful. 

Painting "Casa Rosa"

It was warm and bright, and this first one took some time. Happy to be in the shade of this olive tree.
I even sat down for awhile and painted....

 This first little painting is on board, but my plan is to paint oil on gessoed paper. This is a nice little first piece, and I have to get serious about painting more.
  For me, this is a work-vacation, but I'd hardly call it work. It's all inspiration for all this years paintings to come....

Still a work in progress, may do a little touch up. Will show the finished painting soon.