Through to the View (Italy)

In September, I had the great joy of painting with some of my fellow Washington Society of Landscape Painters during a retreat in the hill towns of Umbria, Italy. San Gemini was our first outing after settling in at the former Capuchin Monastery turned art school -- La Romita. Each day we would receive a map and some insights into our destination. The bus would take us, drop off and pick us back up -- in this case a couple of hours after arrival.  This short time at each spot lasted for a few days ... until we urged full day outings. But those first few days really encouraged me to find my spot quickly and set up to paint. 

Through to the View, framed to 22.5" x 18.5"

I knew from the instant I saw this scene ... this was it.  I loved the contrast and seduction of the scene peeking through the arch. Given how narrow the passageway was -- I thought setting up there was safe from traffic. Wrong assumption. There weren't a lot of cars passing through but each one required my closing up my palette and pulling in my tripod legs ... and it still was a very tight fit.

I can't say enough good things about this retreat. It was so neat to get to know each of our merry band of adventurers well. 10 days painting, staying and eating together will do that ... plus we had evening conversations and all those bus rides to enjoy each other's company.

Because the trip was so special, I wrote a rare blog post about it. Click the button below to read all about it.

10 Days in Italy

More Italy paintings will be added to the Landscape and Interiors Collection as they are finished and photographed. For the summer of 2025, I took two separate painting trips to Europe -- with the first being a two week plus plein air adventure in Paris. Those paintings are now included in the French Paintings Collection. Lots of very fresh work has been coming off the easel this year -- and especially over the summer.

French Paintings Collection

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