Monday 27 July 2015

Old, Old House




 I

Sitting in the shade of a tree on a very hot day, I sketched a corner of this beautiful 18th century villa. Several years ago I sketched and photographed the same villa from outside on the road..   I could just about see over the walls and I wished  could get inside to have a look around.
This summer I got my wish. 


.


Villa Sant Isidoro de Cordova was opened to the public for the first time this month.  The inside is like a museum as everything is intact and as the Cordova family left it. The walls, ceilings and doors are decorated and painted in gold leaf, one room leading onto another in the French 'enfilade' style.
The family hoarded and kept objects and personal items through the years and there are collections of toys, books and clothes, looking as if the owner has just popped out and will soon be back.
(Very slightly creepy)




The gardens have been returned to their former glory and out houses are full of agricultural items, including olive presses and hunting gear.
The young man who gave me a guided tour told me I could sketch from the gardens whenever I want... so I will thank you very much!

****



Monday 13 July 2015

Mr Sardine



20x20cms oil on mdf board
I've been down on the seafront again, sneakily observing the fishermen sorting out their nets.They check and and pile them up on the boat ready to be thrown swiftly overboard.

I was halfway through this painting when a tv show about Italian coastal life was dedicated to our nearby fishing villages.  One of the stars of the show was none other than my fisherman and his nets, now I know his name is 'Mr Sardine'....really it's true..no kidding!

Here he is if you want to see him on film  Ignore the adverts and go to the 3rd part at 19:25 mins


Tuesday 7 July 2015

Fresh Flowers




Oil on mdf wood 20x20cms 
Here's one of my latest small paintings available on Etsy.
Once a week a group of friends meet up at Gabriella's to paint. In the summer we paint outside in her garden.  This little jar of yellow crocuses looked so pretty and fresh I had to paint them.  I took the jar outside and included the beautiful shadows in the painting too.