Paintings From The Umbrian Studio: Fall 2019

  These paintings reflect the development of my work this year, this autumn, direct from my studio in Umbria.

  I am saying "development" because these artworks are seen by me as a process of my instinctual sense of this particular environment.

  This is Umbria being expressed through me. My Umbria.

Oil on canvas
approximately 16 x 16"

Oil on canvas
approximately 24 x 24"

Oil on canvas
approximately 60 x 48"

Oil on canvas
approximately 60 x 60"

Oil on canvas
approximately 65 x 65"

Oil on canvas
approximately 45 x 36"

Oil on canvas
approximately 48 x 60"

Oil on canvas
approximately 38 x 66"

Oil on canvas
approximately 48 x  36"

Oil on canvas
approximately 48 x 60"

 I'm always intrigued by the poetic beauty of the farmhouses in this magical place... Here are the two from this session:

Oil on canvas
approximately 24 x  50"

Oil on canvas
approximately 48 x 52"

  Though I try very hard to get the color correct for this blog, these photos were taken in simple studio light, and are not exact. The sizes may have some variance, as well.
  This is not a perfect system here.

  The canvases have been rolled and shipped back to California, and will be exhibited at Gallery Apodaca soon.
  For more information, please refer to the gallery website.
 

More Inspiration In Venice

  I always feel fortunate to have the opportunity and pleasure to see and absorb some of my favorite works by Italian artists. In this car, three were on display this year at Ca' Pesaro in Venice a few weeks ago.

Artist: Afro

Artist: Vedova

Artist: Morandi

  Another wonderful exhibition in Venice featured one of the greats, Arshile Gorky, also at Ca' Pesaro.

  Gorky successfully managed to do what all serious artists want to do. He developed his own language.

  He used shapes and line combinations that had not been seen in painting yet. 

  His work helped influence many of the most well known Abstract Expressionists.

  It was a good sized show, and very thought provoking as well as inspiring.

  I never know what to expect when we visit Venice. This was a nice surprise.

Inspiration in Venice, Padua

  Being in Venice, Italy for the Biennale is always interesting, inspiring and challenging.

  The contrast of the the past and the present, of art represents a lasting, continuing legacy of the inspiring wishes of Mankind.

  High Art for man is an idea that comes from a source that is beyond our intellectual reach...and yet it is something that we keep reaching for from somewhere deep within.

  This is an Artist's true purpose and goal. To mine the well of eternal truth and mystery.

  Here at the Biennale, which is a celebration of Contemporary Art from all around the world, the work is often politically based , culturally based, very modern. Where do I, as a living, working Artist find inspiration in these over the top installations, video works and conceptualized works?

  

An airplane turned 'inside-out'.

Large bronze sculpture.

Huge installation.

  I think a lot of people forget that Art can be fun, too. It doesn't always have to be serious. It can be fun, just to enjoy it. And to enjoy life. To be happy.
  We are seeing all types of Artworks, and having a very good time absorbing them.
  This inspires me.

  On an alternate day, in Padua, a town near Venice, we visited the Scrovegni Chapel. This is a pilgrimage for any Artist, and I've wanted to experience it for years.
  It is an ultimate, sublime expression.

  Begun in 1305, it is an amazing work created by Giotto, the father of modern western art. The Chapel is a transition from the medieval to the realistic. Here the work is frescoes and on panel.
  This is a incredibly beautiful jewel box.
 

  I will always continue to study the Masters, old and new.

  This is my job.

In the bookshop at the Biennale, though I have no more space for art books.
I still love to enjoy them.

Challenges And Opportunities

  As an artist, I've always enjoyed showing the process of my painting experience.

  In this blog post, we take it down to the bare bones.

  The reason why... in this studio, away from my home studio in California, I've had to improvise.

  This has brought a welcoming experience of just tacking the canvas to the wall, and painting it that way. Painting it as it is.

  I guess I think of this as my 'rustic studio', here in Italy. 

  Every experience brings challenges and opportunities, so I'm very excited to show and describe the process here, on this blog. 

The doorway to the studio.

A cramped studio. You work with what you have available.
No complaints.

A group of finished canvases to be shipped back to the gallery.

Trying to keep the plaster walls and tile floors as clean as I can.

My studio floor.

  These paintings will all be exhibited in our gallery in Carmel, California later this year.
  I'm looking forward to the show.

Busy In The Studio 2019

  Johnny has finished twelve canvases so far during this trip to Umbria, and he's not done yet.

   He is learning how to create larger works in his studio here, as opposed to his usual smaller 'plein-air' paintings he has done in the past.

  Working here on a larger scale has been a goal for many years. Now that we have this apartment, with a dedicated studio space, his dream of doing large paintings here has been realized.

  The studio is proving to be a launching point to the future of unlimited possibilities.

  As we wait to ship these canvases back to the gallery in California, we can enjoy them here...

  We look forward to an upcoming show of the beautiful works soon!
  Stay tuned...

Raw Canvas

  Just following the ancient tradition of many artists before me.

  I'm proud and honored to be a part of this tradition...but this is what all artists have to do. It's our roots.

  I purchased a length of raw cotton canvas in Deruta this week.  Unprimed cotton. No english spoken, so it was a very fun challenge.

  

  Back at my studio, I spent the morning applying gesso to the canvas. I'll need to do a second coat tomorrow.

  We'll see how this canvas develops over the next several days.

  Stay tuned.