"Hills of Savoca"
One of the most beauatiful hill towns of Sicily. I sat and did a sketch from this spot while my fellow travelers climbs to the church of San Nicolo.  I was there one of the scenes from the movie "Godfather" was filmed.

Warm weather in North Carolina, but nice breezes, the last two days. Did some gardening on Saturday but then finished this painting.

Capers Plant

Capers plant on street of Savoca Sicily. I was delighted to find a plant that produced capers, a favorite to use in my cooking .. I found a few flowers that were fading so I embellished the painting with more florals.

Walking through Ortigia, the old section of Siracusa Sicily this June, was a wonderful experience.My husband and I
 had driven through the area many years ago, unable to find a parking space.  The building I illustrated is seen at the entrance to the island. Bought some  lovely earings in the old market.

Comlepeted "Fountain in Ragusa "  There are so many images to paint of this beautiful city.
I must return to Ragusa# for a longer stay.

Please email me [ kgwinnett@att.net ] for inquiry of this original 11x15inch  watercolor.

 8.5x 6.5 Print on textured paper and matted to a11x14 in size, also available 

Fountain at Monreale Cathedral

As you can see I am interested in Sicilian fountains. I found a place to sit to paint this image, however the Sicilian Sun was too strong and I had nothing to cover myself with. So I made many photographs  as I ate my "arincina."

Ragusa Street Scene
 I was so excited to visit Ragusa the home of Montalbano Mysteries.
 This beautiful baroque city was everything I thought  it would be.

It has been five years since I've posted on  this  blog. Want to begin new posts from  my recent  (2018)  travels and paintings of Sicily.

Traveling on my  6th voyage to Sicily, for  my first time, I traveled with a tour group from the Arba Sicula organization in New York..

We visited towns and cities counter clockwise around the island beginning in the Provence of Palermo and ending in Messina province.

Palermo  Cathedral

The tour was everything I hoped it would be. Since my return I have immersed myself in my watercolors from the images of the new and familiar places I have seen of  my beloved Sicily..

Gardens Of Hotel Della Valle Agrigento

View  from the pool of Hotel Baglio Oneto Marsala

 

Fountain at Hotel Caesar Palace Giardini- Naxos
For info about  ordering images email me at Kgwinnett@att.net
Will be posting  images from Monreale, Ragusa and more.

Weather has been a cool but rainy summer this 2013. School will be beginning and I  have  made up my lesson plans for the next 15 weeks of my watercolor class. Will be concentrating on architecture.

I can't believe summer is going so quickly. Did some landscaping in front of our house with a new helper, Jose. He has been great and  every thing is looking as it should.
 Inside,  hung most  paintings that had been dropped everywhere in my lower level gallery.
Cucumbers from our little garden have produced some nice kosher pickles 
"Computer "had a long visit with its "Fixer" my son Chris. It seems a little happier but we forgot to have the problem Corel program addressed. 
Added a little more color to "Crab Legs" and logged  it into my list of  paintings, number 1,432.
Watched a new "Montalbano"  DVD last night. Great.story, beautiful images and love  hearing the Sicilian language. by its characters
Tomorrow "Art of the Brick." Lego exhibit by Nathan Sawaya. I will be a docent for the exhibit at the Alamance County Arts Council. during August , September and October.

Just visited some of my friends blogs. Wonderful happenings. I am just working on "down sizing." Not a happy time. Two large pieces of  furniture were taken away and today worked on too many clothes. I must admit the clothes and drawers look nicer.
Biggest job ahead  sorting my art work.. A colossal job. I've painted  an average of 50  paintings a year for the last 30  some years. "tomorrow is another day."

BACK FROM ASHEVILLE NC

Winter has arrived in NC

I dreaded the thought of experiencing themperatures below the freezing point, however when I headed out to my first watercolor class of the new semester it was just 32 degrees. It was fun teaching the class again.Looking forward to seeing some great paintings.
Yesterday I completed a  redo of a painting I did about 20 years ago. I added acrylic paint to the collage of watercolors and am pleased with the ourcome. I thought it was approriate that I finished it on election day."Americana." I will be showing it a new exhibit at the Paramount theater in Burlington

Happy New Year

My gosh it is 14 days into 2013!  Although there were lots of joys over the holidays there was much stress as well. So many friends and loved ones were ill with flu etc. Although I did do a small amount of entertaining ,  I have been trying to get things done with a small kidney stone in the last 40 years I've  experience  at  least 7 stones of various sizes.
I am taking each day a a time as the saying goes. There is  my nativity scene still on my mantel and husband  has needed some nursing of flu symptoms.I have two more art show commitments so I have taken some time to spend at the easel again. I  love painting  figures and am excited to get into a painting of Hispanic dancers with their twirling dresses. I am using a group of images I took two years ago at our church festival.
Also reading "To Kill a Mocking Bird." Every two years  our county suggests a "read" for all its residents and then has related activities planned associated with the book. .  I am just finishing a painting inspired  by the book for an art competition .
It seems everyone is watching " Downton Abbey." Love PBS. My spot on the Antique Road Show is not on the schedule for January. Keep watching for the Myrtle Beach show.

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.