Buon Natale

"Martorano, Palermo Interior"

Buon Natale

Wishing you all a Blessed Christmas.

Checking the clock

Lilghts  are on the tree after three days of trying to connect the built in ones. Fun was had  by all at the Dicken Burlington Downtown festival.  Too many sweets offered!
just have a few more  ordered prints to get out. Interesting to see what people select as gifts. Here is "Santa's Self Portrait" Checking his list.

Some  sicilian cooking ahead for Christmas dinner.

Every thing ready for my last two holiday shows. Paintings are packed and ready to go. A spooky sensation when my daughter told me she  found one of my  paintings offered  on ebay this evening.  I painted it in 1985. after a trip a trip to  Duke Gardens. in NC. Another paintings I did very long ago was sold  on the secondary market at a shop in town.

Celebrating a BIrthday

I  have been participating in numerous  art shows and exhibitions during the  last few weeks. Taking the night off to  get together with some family and friends  who also have   a November birthday. Ciao Pizza.

Recognized by Arba Sicula

This past spring I was contacted by the publisher of the St John's University of New York based Sicilian /English semi-annual journal, "Arba Sicula." Professor Cipolla requested me to write a story about my experiences of painting in Sicily. "Arba Sicula" is a non-profit international organization that promotes the language and culture of Sicily. It features its literature, art, history, cuisine and folklore.The fall edition carries my story.

Belmonte Mezzagno Sicily Birth-place of my maternal grandmother.

"My story tells about finding family members and illustrating my ancestral homes. I also tell about meeting other Sicilian families when fulfilling the painting commissions I acquired from Sicilian Americans. I was so delighted to see my story published in English and translated on the opposite page in the Sicilian language. Ten of my paintings of Sicily are also largely displayed throughout the text in full color." You may view many of these paintings in the Sicilian section of my website: www.gwinnett-art.com

I can't believe how long it has been since my last post. I just can't keep up with my social media. I only get to Facebook about twice a week and Twitter and Linkedin almost never.
I was excited to receive a notice that someone purchased 100 mini buttons with my Sicilian Trinacria image today, That image has gone everywhere. About 10 years ago some one once paid me to use the image on T shirts for an Italian restaurant in NJ.

Away from the computer I have been  making  postcards and framing paintings for the upcoming show here in Burlington.with daughter Margaret Jackson.  Reception is August 5...."Patterns and Perspectives." Margaret paintings are the "Patterns"and mine are the "Perspectives." Here is the holding area [my living room] for the paintings I've finished framing.

So proud of my students who exhibited their watercolors with me at the Alamance Community College's Heritage Fair this  week. We  had the most beautiful display ! Plus we sold soome art work.

Annoucing daughter Margaret's new blog. Follow her.

Is it spring?

Can't believe the 75 degree temperature today.I should have been working out in the garden but after a workout at the "Y" I was in sorting art supplies. A patron visited yesterday and selected two watercolors. Both having lots of flowers in the composition. "A Beaufort Porch" and "Chinque-penn Greenhouse," depict two different corners of our North Carolina state.

Charleston in the New Year

Have been enjoying wonderful mild temperatures in North Carolina. Even took a three day get-away to Charleston South Carolina. Found the lovely 1838 B&B to stay. The location right off the middle of town and the College of Charleston couldn't have been better..
My new watercolor classes have started up. I am teaching an in depth study of figures in watercolors. This is a fun experience for me since I have been painting the human form since I was 16. Then my first life model class was at the Brooklyn Museum given by my high school which was a short walk away.