Plein air Tuscany: Fuligni vineyards

Brunello De Montalcino

Plein air painting in the Fuligni vineyards

 We decided to venture into the countryside after painting several days at the Fattoria Armena.    We weren't sure how it would work to be able to paint in one of the neighboring vineyards since our Italian speaking skills were minimal.  We headed towards Montalcino.  We visited several beautiful vineyards but were welcomed with open arms at the Fuligni vineyards by the manager Mike Motiu.    We returned the next morning ready to plein air paint.  The grapes were just a few weeks away from picking and absolutely succulent.  I settled in to paint the vineyards and the 'tasting room' and cellar, which was once a monastery.   The difficult part was deciding what to paint as everything was beautiful.
We brought some snacks for lunch and were served their award winning Brunello wine.  When the light faded after lunch,
Mike took us on a complimentary wine tour of the Fuligni vineyards. We tasted and purchased several bottles of their wine.  This is the best wine I have ever had.

In the late afternoon plein air session I painted "Vista" of the patchwork
Tuscan views surrounding me.
I am currently working on a large version of "Brunello De Montalcino" oil painting.  When studio painting I combine photo references with my plein air studies to bring back the essence of my inspiration.
This was the best painting day I have ever experienced, along with the best wine and nicest local Italian we met on our trip.

Brunello plein air

Vista (sold)

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Plein Air Tuscany: Fattoria Armena

Fattoria Armena

on location in Tuscany

 On my 3rd day of plein air painting in Italy this past September I decided to paint the arches in the courtyard of Fattoria Armena.  There were plenty of pots with flowers and I decided to include the large geraniums in the foreground. .  The spot where I painted was just steps from the apartment where I was staying.

The arches, bricks and flowers were reminiscent of the 70' mural of the Lincoln Gallery that I painted with three of my friends in 2001. I felt like I was painting in our mural-very dreamlike. 

To conserve on space I oil painted on sheets of 9 x 12" linen which I clipped to foam core. I had toned the linen before the trip so I would not have to work on stark white surfaces.   After the paintings were dry I could layer them between wax paper to bring them home.  I later mounted them onto archival foam core to put into frames.
This original oil painting is for sale, please contact me for availability.
You can see more of my artwork online:
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(a variety of my work: prints and cards available) 
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The mural for the Lincoln Gallery, Loveland, Colorado.

Plein Air Tuscany: Fontana

Fontana 9" x 12" oil

My third painting and second day of plein air in Tuscany was of an old fountain not far from the front door of the Fattoria Armena apartment in which we were staying.  I loved the patterns, the flowers and the shadows created by all of the trees.  I painted all of my September 2014 Tuscany paintings alla prima en plein air.  As an avid outdoor painter I had dreamed of painting in Italy one day.  This was plein air painting at it's finest: peaceful settings, comfortable temperatures with inspiring historical buildings and landscapes to capture. This original oil painting is for sale, please contact me for availability.
You can see more of my artwork online:
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Plein Air Tuscany: Vigneto

Vigneto 9" x 12" oil

Vigneto on my M Box

Inspiration

 The second  oil painting I completed in my Tuscan plein air adventure is "Vigneto" (vineyard in Italian).  The morning fog was still working on lifting when I started this scene of vineyards and olive groves.  This is on the property at the Agriturisimo  I was staying at in September of 2014.  I was situated on top of one of the many Tuscan rolling hills and had a wonderful distant view once the morning fog lifted.  This original oil was painted alla prima, on site.  I used 9 x 12" linen sheets that I later mounted onto acid free foamcore.  This significantly cut down on the amount of space the finished painting would take in my luggage.  There is something about painting under grape vines where you can occasionally taste a sweet grape that remains a  lovely vivid memory. 

This original oil painting is sold.
You can see more of my artwork online:
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Tuscany: plein air 2014

Hide and Seek

I had the trip of a lifetime this past September.  I had the chance to plein air paint in Tuscany, Italy with another artist friend.  We've talked about it for years and decided to make it happen in 2014. It had been a dream of mine to paint the vineyards and rolling hills in Tuscany.
On our first morning of painting we walked out the front door of the agriturisimo we were staying south of Sienna. There was a thick fog but occasionally the hilltops with villas  emerged from the mist. I set up my pochade box, photographed my scene and started oil painting.  Not long after I started "Hide and Seek" the fog completely covered my scene.  I tried working from the image in my digital camera between glimpses of the villa in the fog.  My goal was to capture a moment and instill a memory which was successful.  This original oil painting is for sale, please contact me for availability.
You can see more of my artwork online:
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(a variety of my work: prints and cards available) 
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Loveland Art Studio Tour 2014

Crisp (watercolor)

It's time again for the Loveland Art Studio Tour.  The 6th annual tour is being held October 11-12 & 18-19, 2014 at various artists studios throughout Loveland, Colorado.  I will once again open up my home studio west of Loveland for the public to see where I work, a current painting in process and view and/or purchase my latest creations.  Since I've been a professional artist for 15 years now I have a wide range of several painting mediums including originals, prints and cards in oil, watercolor, pastel and acrylic. This only happens once a year; don't miss out!

This original oil painting is for sale. Inquire for availabilty. 
You can see more of my artwork online:
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(a variety of my work: prints and cards available) 
 artforconservation.com  
(limited edition canvas giclees) 

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Loveland Museum Adult classes Fall 2014

I am teaching several adult and children's art classes at the Loveland Museum Gallery this Fall.  To go with the impressive exhibits they have I'm holding several class in honor of Ansel Adams and Georgia O'Keeffe. 
 I have been teaching at the Loveland Museum Gallery for 11 years now.  My classes fill up quickly so don't hesitate.  All supplies are included which make for a wonderful way to try out a new medium.
                                  
50 Shades of Gray
Thursday, October 23, 4 – 6 pm
We will make monochromatic but strong compositions using Ansel Adams as our inspiration. We will create vibrant paintings using one dark-value watercolor. 

Falling Leaves
Thursday, November 6, 4 – 6 pm
Capture the most colorful time of year with an easy watercolor session. 

 Painting the Southwest Landscape
Thursday November 13, 4 – 6 pm
We’ll follow Georgia O’Keeffe’s magical style and use pastels to paint the beautiful red mountains of the Southwest

 Van Gogh’s Sunflowers
Thursday November 20, 4 – 6 pm
Paint big, bold, bright, beautiful sunflowers! We’ll look at some examples of Van Gogh’s paintings then create our own rendition by swirling a lot of acrylic paint on canvas with a palette knife.

Creating Landscapes with Depth
Thursday, December 4, 4 – 6 pm
Learn how to create depth and distance in your acrylic landscape paintings with color temperature. Impasto finishing touches with a palette knife will complete your painting. 

Plein Air Rockies: The Stanley Hotel

"The Stanley"  12 x 12" oil

On my last day of Plein Air Rockies 2014 during the 'Paint the Town' event I decided to paint the historic Stanley Hotel.
I once again painted out of the shelter of my VW Vanagon as the wind was a little brisk.  The light changed completely as I worked on this painting but I always try to keep in mind that this is my impression of a scene only.  I try to capture the color as I see it in person. I can always use a photo reference with my plein air piece to enlarge a painting.  I was pleased the way this fairly complicated plein air oil turned out though.  It is currently part of the Plein Air Rockies show at the Cultural Art Council gallery in Estes Park, Colorado.

This original oil painting is for sale. Inquire for availabilty. 
You can see more of my artwork online:
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(a variety of my work: prints and cards available) 
 artforconservation.com  
(limited edition canvas giclees) 

marygiacomini.com

MGiacominiart.blogspot.com

Plein Air Rockies: Front Range views

Sunday morning view of the south side of Horsetooth Mountain

"Homestead" 6 x 8" oil

Homestead on my pochade box

 Since we were allowed to capture plein air paintings from up to a 50 miles radius from Estes Park, Colorado during the Plein Air Rockies 2014 event, I decided to do some painting close to home.  Quite often I like to zoom in on what interests me for a painting.

Longs Peak Sunset

"Homespun"

 

 

"Homespun" is a 'set up' plein air painting that I painted from my backyard. I put together some of my favorite things: a homemade log cabin quilt I designed, my clothesline, an old metal motel chair and my Front Range Rocky view.  This painting is currently for sale at the Cultural Art Center of Estes Park Fine Art Gallery show through October of 2014. 
 
These original oil paintings are for sale. Inquire for availabilty. 
You can see more of my artwork online:
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(a variety of my work: prints and cards available) 
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Plein Air Rockies: Longs Peak Thunder

Longs Peak Thunder (oil)

I drove up Trail Ridge Road during the Plein Air Rockies 2014 event to see if I could capture some high mountain peaks.  The weather was unstable though.  I found a parking spot for my Vanagon in the Forest Canyon parking lot on top of Rocky Mountain Park, Colorado. I literally painted out of my van to be safer from the storm.  I had two short painting sessions to capture the peaks as a few violent storms came through. When the lightning got too close I ducked inside the van to wait it out.  It was another plein air adventure.  I painted quickly, with a pallet knife and enjoyed swirling impasto strokes in this original oil.

This original oil painting is for sale. Inquire for availabilty. 
You can see more of my artwork online:
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(a variety of my work: prints and cards available) 
 artforconservation.com  
(limited edition canvas giclees) 

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Plein Air Rockies: Moraine Park

The 6AM view from Moraine Park

"Alpenglow"

 I camped for several days in Moraine Park in Rocky Mountain National Park (Colorado) for the Plein Air Rockies 2014 event.  Since it was literally out my back door from the campground I created 4 different little oil paintings from this gorgeous area.  I painted "Alpenglow" first after experiencing glowing pink mountains very early in the morning.  I light lasted maybe 5 minutes but I decided to keep the glow in my painting anyway.  These were all done alla prima with quite a bit of pallet knife and impasto.

This was another little 6" x 8" pallet knife painting that I had a ball creating.

Sentinel 4" x 6" oil

 "Sentinel" is a late afternoon view looking up the alpine meadow that is currently for sale in the miniature show at the Cultural Art Center Gallery in Estes Park, Colorado.

I literally walked 20 steps from my campsite to catch this morning view looking SouthEast in Moraine Park at the Rocky Mountains.

These original oil paintings are for sale. Inquire for availabilty. 
You can see more of my artwork online:
Facebook page (open to the public)

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(a variety of my work: prints and cards available) 
 artforconservation.com  
(limited edition canvas giclees) 

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Plein Air Rockies: Bear Lake

"Altitude"  14" x 11" oil

Painting Plein Air at Bear Lake, Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado

For the Plein Air Rockies 2014 event I spent several consecutive days painting in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado.  On my first day there I headed up to Bear Lake to snag a parking spot as they fill up quickly.  I wheeled my plein air supplies to scenic spot on the lake, just off the very mild hiking trail that circles the alpine lake at 9,450 feet above sea level.  I painted most of the day to be able to finish it Alla Prima even though the light changed dramatically. My finished oil painting, "Altitude" is now part of the Plein Air Rockies 2014 show at the Cultural Art Council Fine Art Gallery in Estes Park through October and is for sale.
This original oil painting is for sale. Inquire for availabilty. 
You can see more of my artwork online:
Facebook page (open to the public)

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(a variety of my work: prints and cards available) 
 artforconservation.com  
(limited edition canvas giclees) 

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Plein Air Rockies 2014: Horsetooth Reservoir

Horsetooth Reservoir dusk

 My first paint day for Plein Air Rockies 2014 was at Horsetooth Reservoir just west of Fort Collins, Colorado. I wanted to capture the sunset but needed to start hours before to get the big shapes in.   I'm posting my start and ending reference pictures to see just how much the light changes plein air painting.  Although this landscape ( 9" x 12" oil) was finished on sight you can see how I incorporated the light changes.

This original oil painting is for sale. Inquire for availabilty. 
You can see more of my artwork online:
Facebook page (open to the public)

fineartamerica.com    

(a variety of my work: prints and cards available) 
 artforconservation.com  
(limited edition canvas giclees)