Last week, we drove out to a favorite spot for Johnny to set up to paint. We are having to keep a close watch on the weather, as it's been so off and on. At least it hasn't been really windy, which makes it almost impossible to paint plein-air. What's been a pain... is the rain. So unusual for this time of year to have day after day of rain.
Anyway, when it is a nice day or there are a few good hours of sun, we head out to the fields...
This is a spot with a view of Lago di Chiusi (Lake Chiusi).
Laying in some lines...
Note the oncoming clouds...
As always, I took a walk along the dirt road while Johnny did some painting.
This is an absolutely beautiful area, with amazing views and lots of interesting scenes. We like to come to this area to watch the sunset, too. It's all so green right now. A silver lining to all the rain, I guess.
Almost finished.
In another area, on another day, We went to another favorite spot. There is a much loved row of "Umbrella Pines" just off of a side road. We call them "The Walking Trees". We've seen a few go down over the years, and it's sad to imagine more falling down, but it happens.
I'm so glad Johnny finally decided to paint this magical scene.
Sketching in the lines.
The orange farm house is such a nice contrast.
We've walked and driven up the road where the trees actually are. It's a great place to wander around. Years ago, I did a blog post about poking around an old empty house near the trees. Now, it would be impossible to do that sort of wandering around! There are signs to keep people like me out, which probably is a good thing.
Really out there in the weeds!
Another beauty.
On yet another day...a really nice sunny and warm day...we were lucky to join pals on their boat and go out to one of the islands on the big lake, Lago Trasimeno. There is a sweet little church there that Johnny stopped and painted.
The weather has been very off and on this spring here in Umbria. We have had some really grey, wet, and windy days...too many of them to get out and paint plein-air.
We try and get out between storms, though. Johnny has been painting in the local fields, when the weather is on our side. When it's a good day, he'll stop 3-4 times along a dirt road and get to work.
Taking advantage of o nice day.
Painting a scene nearby.
The finished piece.
Heading along another dirt road, for another painting. I usually take walks or bring a book to read. I try to take photos and videos to give you an idea of the process. It's a pleasure to be out in the country side on a nice day, for sure.
A very peaceful spot to enjoy.
I believe Johnny looks for a spot that has structures. He really likes to paint the local farm houses.
Beyond the too huge property in the foreground, there is an old church on the hill. This is the subject he will paint.
We always look for a place to pull over so tractors can go by.
We walk by this church sometimes, and Johnny's fantasy is to have it as a studio someday. It's good to dream!
One more stop on this day, one more little gem...
As I write this, the weather has turned for the better, so I'm hoping we will have a few mor outings before heading back to California later this month.
Stay tuned, and if you are interested in the work, you can contact Johnny by email:
We are so fortunate to live here half the year in Umbria near a big lake, Lago Trasimeno... We love having this water element in our lives here, much like living near the Pacific Ocean in California.
Johnny likes comeing out to one or two of the islands to paint, and we've been lucky with good weather this week.
Though the skies started out cloudy, it got better and better as the day went on...
Always nice to paint with a castle in the background, right?
Always dealing with hauling and setting up "the stuff" to paint.
Settling in to work.
Laying in the lines...
A wonderful view of a little village, "Monte del Lago" , in the distance.
Done.
We walked all around the island, stopping for a glass of wine and a pic-nic...
Below, Johnny working on a second painting for the day...
He really got the sky just right.
Below, in the studio...several of the plein-air paintings done so far...
If you want to see more about our trip to Isola Polvese, check this link, below:
"It's a real privilege to be here. An artist's dream come true. To be in Venice yet again is beyond anything I could have imagined in my younger working 9-5 life.
"Just one more dream coming true. Every time we manage to get here again, it's a gift."
We are often asked why we keep visiting Venice. Honestly, it's become a place that is deep within our hearts. I think you either fall heavy for Venice, or not.
We fell heavy on our first visit back in 2007. Venice is a place we'd love to spend 2 or 3 months in. We started by going every 2 years for the Biennale, but now we just can't come to Italy without spending some time in Venice.
Johnny really wanted to paint during this visit, so he brought his kit and set up a few times. He's been doing some small watercolors, as well as painting plein-air, which is what he's doing here...in one of the most lovely spots in Venice. He set up early in the day on the Accademia Bridge. It was a very beautiful morning...
Getting set up to paint.
It's a pretty spectacular scene...
There were people coming and going, but it wasn't really crowded, thankfully.
Painting with oils on panels we bought in Rome.
A view of the Grand Canal with all the water buses and taxis.
Sketching it in loosely.
There is a lot to haul around if you want to paint here.
This gives you an idea of the activity while Johnny was painting. Mostly, people ignored him. Some took photos, and one sweet young couple stayed and watched, asking questions and just enjoying the moment.
I hope it will be a nice memory for them to look back on.
Almost finished.
Signed and done.
We were lucky to have some really nice days, weather wise. A couple of grey days, but mostly sunny and just the right temperature for lots of walking and painting.
Thanks for another fabulous visit, Venice! See you in Autumn.
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