Every artist has to paint Venice at some stage. My opportunity arose in 2005 when a group of artist friends visited that amazing city. Although I stayed at home and minded the shop so to speak, I was still invited to take part in the ensuing Venice Exhibition. Renowned photographer Margaret Hockney kindly gave me permission to use some of her images as the inspiration for my eight paintings. Luckily for me Margaret often 'shoots into the light' so it was easy enough to choose photos I wanted to paint - the issue was - could I do them justice? Some worked better than others but at the time I was very excited about the outcome especially as it was also the first major exhibition I had been involved in. I asked an Italian friend to supply the titles and you have to admit that 'Mattinata Mistosa' sounds a lot more romantic than plain old 'Misty Morning'!
I must have done something right because I sold a few on the preview night. In fact one buyer congratulated me on my efforts and remarked "You have to be there to capture that special light". What could I say but agree. Happy days. I think I still have a couple hidden away somewhere but 'Notte Lucente' was the last one to be sold. A lady called into the newly opened Gallery Forty Nine in Old Town, Bridlington and after a long look at the painting asked if she could take it home with her for a few days. I agreed and was just starting to get a little anxious when she didn't reappear for several days. Eventually though she came in and paid the £350 with a smile explaining " I had to check it would go with the new look in my bedroom and the blue of the gondolas exactly matches my curtains so I wanted it!". Ah well they all count! Here they are then complete with titles some of which I can no longer translate back into English.
I must have done something right because I sold a few on the preview night. In fact one buyer congratulated me on my efforts and remarked "You have to be there to capture that special light". What could I say but agree. Happy days. I think I still have a couple hidden away somewhere but 'Notte Lucente' was the last one to be sold. A lady called into the newly opened Gallery Forty Nine in Old Town, Bridlington and after a long look at the painting asked if she could take it home with her for a few days. I agreed and was just starting to get a little anxious when she didn't reappear for several days. Eventually though she came in and paid the £350 with a smile explaining " I had to check it would go with the new look in my bedroom and the blue of the gondolas exactly matches my curtains so I wanted it!". Ah well they all count! Here they are then complete with titles some of which I can no longer translate back into English.
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