Una Fontana Di Villa Pamphili, Roma, 10 x 8 in.oil

This painting is available by clicking here

This painting was done on an outing with some Roman friends to the  wonderful Villa Pamphili park. The Villa Doria Pamphili is a seventeenth century villa with what is today the largest landscaped public park in Rome. It is located  on the Gianicolo (or the Roman Janiculum), just outside the Porta San Pancrazio in the ancient walls of Rome where the ancient road of the Via Aurelia commences.

It was a superb day, begun with an espresso at the park café and  watching baby’s in strollers and joggers passing by.

This painting was done on the first day that I met some of the local  painters in Rome. It’s a gorgeous cemetery established in the early 1800′s. There are many beautiful sculptures and graves. We had to get permission to paint here, and I was told to say “ permesso di Signora Mela” if challenged ( or something similar….). ” Mela”means apple in Italian. Here is a link to a photo album about the cemetery.

Here is a little more information: The Campo Verano (Italian: Cimitero del Verano) is a cemetery in Rome that was founded in the early nineteenth century.The name verano a refers to the Ancient Roman campo dei Verani that was located here. The zone contained ancient christian catacombs. But a modern cemetery was not established till the Napoleonic Kingdom of Italy during 1807-1812, when the architect Giuseppe Valadier was commisioned designs after the Edict of Saint Cloud required burials to take place outside of the city walls. The papal authorities still have some control over the administration.

Una Fontana di Villa Borghese ( A Fountain at the Villa Borghese), Roma 8 x 10 in., oil on linen

Villa Borghese is a large landscape garden in the naturalistic English manner in Rome, containing a number of buildings, museums (see Galleria Borghese) and attractions. It is the second largest public park in Rome (80 hectares or 148 acres). I spent a lovely sunday afternoon  here watching Romans and tourists picnic and play. This was a quiet fountain not far from the Spanish Steps.

You can purchase this work at auction starting at $65  by clicking here.

Chiesa di Santa Brigida, Roma (St. Bridget’s Church), 8 x 10 in. oil on linen,

This painting was done on a cool March night on the Piazza Farnese. My biggest audience were the waiters running back and forth to their storeroom and murmuring words of encouragement: “bella, bella!”

This is the Chiesa di Santa Brigida, a small Swedish church dedicated to Saint Bridget of Sweden, who travelled to Rome in 1350 where she started a new order. The Farnese Palace would be to my left.

Near The Teatro-Marcello,Rome, 10 x 8 in. oil on linen

These columns are just to the right of the Theatre of Marcellus ( Teatro di Marcello) which  is an ancient open-air theatre in Rome, Italy, built in the closing years of the Roman Republic. At the theatre, locals and visitors alike were able to watch performances of drama and song. It was completed in 13 BC and formally inaugurated in 12 BC by Augustus. In front of the columns was the ancient fish market, located here because the Tiber river is only a short distance away. Lots of Italian schoolchildren shared my day here!

San Pietro, Roma, Easter 2013

This past Easter  Sunday I attended the Urbi et Orbi (to the city and to the world)  Easter message from the brand new Pope Francis. I’m staying quite close to the Vatican, so I had to go. It was  crowded, apparently a quarter million people, but it felt very special to be there, despite that I could not understand  the language.

The Pope is right above the little white triangle

The gist of the speech was Pope Francis Hopes for peace and a world free from greed. For a full english text of the short speech click here.  Below is a casual 20 second video I made of the event.

Isola Tiberina, Rome

On March 4th, 2013, I landed at Rome’s Fiumicino Airport. I admit it was a relatively sudden move for me. I had spent most of 2012 in Maine and then had returned to Chicago and later North Carolina. My restoration work had been slowing down and I decided to realize one of my dreams: to spend a significant time in Italy.

One of the reasons I always wanted to do this is that I hold dual US/Italian citizenship. I want to improve my language skills and just experience in a deeper way this culture here.

So, after collecting my luggage, I ignored the 14 Euro  train from the airport to central Rome, and  I instead chose the 4 Euro rat trap bus. My low-budget adventure to Italy had begun….

St. Peters Square by Night, Rome

I had researched moving to Italy for a while, and discovered that renting a room in Rome or Florence would actually not cost that much more than living in Chicago. About  500 Euros rent a month. And by this  I mean an apartment share. Of course that means staying in one place for at least a month or two, which I actually prefer. I’ve traveled a lot, and find now that I would rather be in one place for a lengthy period, as opposed to flitting around, This way I can really get to know the one place, possibly even make friends.

The first week I stayed in the La Controra Hostel Rome, which was excellent. The staff was gracious and helped me immensely in finding an apartment and with the logistics of dealing with Rome. And I did find a room, actually just off Craigslist. For the first 10 days I had a very centrally located room in central historic district. It’s been wonderful walking out my door and wandering thorough ancient streets, and going to the Campo de Fiore vegetable market, which has been in existence for 600 years!

Unfortunately I got sick for about five days, a cold, but the last several days I was able to paint in the neighborhood and enjoy it more. I’m moving the 19^th of March to a larger room (from the same landlord) a little farther out, but still only a 10-minute metro ride from the Center.

Night Painting, Piazza Farnese, Rome. Here I am using my new double LED clip on lights . One light for the painting and one for the palette. What would be better would be one more light to clip on the other side as the intensity of Illumination falls off a bit.

Rome seems an extraordinary city, and I’m sure I’ll regret leaving here when I do. I’ve started painting on the streets and should start posting paintings in the next few days. It’s beautiful here by night, and I think you may see more night paintings from me. I’m working on learning Italian, and even managed a short conversation with a greengrocer -but it’s going to be a long road!

Also, I’ve been inspired by some artists who are involved in the painting a day movement, and have been auctioning their work off online.  Subscribe via email  or RSS with the links on the right sidebar if you’re interested in receiving notices about new posts on this website or about  paintings for auction. Prices will be starting very reasonable. Grazie , Ciao!

Courtney, 12x16in., oil on linen, S.Giannini

Biker, oil on linen, 11×14 in., Sephan Giannini

Z, oil on linen, 11×14 in., S. Giannini

Mellisa, oil on linen, 12×16 in., S. Giannini

New Hampshire Fall, oil on linen, 9 x 12 in.

In October of 2012 I did a quick 2-day trip to The White Mountains from my then home base of Portland, Maine. It’s only a couple of  hours ride to the White Mountains from Portland, which was one of the reasons I moved there.

The Whites are great because it’s just about the only place you can get truly alpine on the east coast. Perhaps Mt. Katahdin as well, but I have not been up there yet. When I went to school in Connecticut, I took several camping/painting trips to the Whites, and was floored by their beauty. For an Illinois flatlander like me being able to hike up past tree line in half a day was mind-boggling.

Mt Washington, at 6288  ft. is quite small as mountains go, but due to it’s positioning and geography, it experiences some of the worst weather in North America.

As you hike up past tree lines your confronted by warning signs cautioning you to turn around if the weather worsens. One time I was hiking up there with my old friend Steve Gerhartz, when it began to snow. Quite quickly we were in almost white out conditions, and kind of groped our way back down to the protection of the forest, where it was basically warm and spring like. You can understand why people occasionally die up here while hiking; the storm came in so suddenly.

The warning sign you see as you approach tree-line in the White Mountains.

This trip I experienced only beautiful weather, although I did not hike up very high, instead trying to get some sketches done. The first day I ended up in the hills above Jackson,N.H., just driving upwards until I found a good spot to paint. It was towards the end of the color season, but still quite beautiful and I did a 9×12 (at top) and a quickie 6×9 in. sketch at the end of the day, pictured below.

End of Day in the Whites, oil on board, 6 x 9 in.

I then proceeded back to Conway, NH. , a short ride away where I had booked a room at the White Mountain Youth Hostel. It was $25 a night and there were so few people there at this time of year that I was assigned a bunk-room all to myself. They had a nice kitchen and community room as well as Wifi. I met a young German girl, who was taking a driving tour through the northeast, and we shared dinner, talk and music at a local café just around the corner. When I’m traveling alone, I prefer hostels as I can usually meet someone to hang out with.

The next day I took a couple of mile hike up Mt. Willard, which rewards you with a spectacular view of Crawford Notch. I did a sketch up there, but it didn’t turn out.

Crawford Notch from Mt.Willard

One Nice thing about the White Mountains are that there are a series of huts maintained by the Appalachian Mountain Club. You get breakfast and dinner at the huts, and they supply a bunk.  They are spaced an easy days walk apart,  so you only have to carry food for lunch and the minimal things you need.  I always thought that it would make a great painting trip, doing one sketch near each hut and then going on to the next one.

Stephan Giannini Painting on Mt. Willard

It was a wonderful getaway and I’ll miss being nearby.

View from Mt. Willard

Casco Bay, 9 x 12 in. Oil on Board

Bayside Garden, Portland, 8 x 10 in. Oil on Board

Maine MedicalCenter, Portland, 11 x 14 in., Oil on Linen

Harpswell Lobster Shack, 9×12 in. , Oil on Board

School Playground, 8 x 10 in. Oil on Board

Portland Corner, 11 x 14 in, oil on canvas

Quiet Corner, 9 x 12 in, Oil on Board

Near Boothbay Harbor, 5x7in., Oil on Museum Board

Church Restoration (St. Bernards), 11 x 14 in., Oil on Linen

I was invited to participate in  the first year of the annual Plein Air  paint out in Mt. Lebanon, Pa.,  a suburb of Pittsburgh. It was a well run event, the brainchild of David and Linda Csont. David had participated in the Easton Plein Air  event, one of the bigger events that happens in Maryland every July, and decided he wanted one in his home town.

Trolley Clock, Mt. Lebanon, PA., 11 x 14 in. Oil on Linen

Mt. Lebanon is a 1st ring suburb of Pittsburgh and so benefits from train service into the city, walkable streets, and a vibrant business and restuarant district. It’s a beautiful town and it was nice to see children walking to school in a safe and clean community.

The bus that the Plein Air Mt. Lebanon hired to give the artists  a tour of the town.

There were substantial prizes, none of which I won, alas! But it was well judged by Pittsburgh artist Ron Donoughe and there were many good painters. I did sell a couple paintings  and I had a terrific time. I tried to paint larger then I normally do, because it was a competition. They do take longer, however and I only finished 4 works in the 3 days. The “Trolly House” painting I gave as a well deserved gift to my hosts for the week, John and Lillian Sweeney,  who made my stay wonderful and kept me well fueled with food, wine and good conversation!

Trolley House, Mt. Lebanon, Pa., 8 x 10 in. Oil on Linen

View of Pittsburgh, a very beautifully situated city.

Broadmoor and Parkside; Autumn Sun, Mt. Lebanon, Pa., 11 x 14 in., Oil on Linen

My Plein Air Equipment Assembled in my Australian Hotel

Thought some people might be interested in the equipment I took with me on my latest Plein Air travel trip to Australia and Bali.

1.   I purchased a new super lightweight Manfroto tripod, model MKC3-PO1.

2. I used my trusty (and now10 year old) 8 x10 in. OpenM pochade box.
3. I painted on 7 x 10 in. museum board panels primed with Golden Matte Medium, 3 coats on both sides.  You need to use wax paper between these panels to prevent sticking, but you should also use them between the finished dry paintings.
4. I used water-soluble oil paints made by Holbein Dou and Winsor Newton Artisan. The Holbein paint is definitely better, but it costs substantially more. The limited palette I used was:

Titanium White

Lemon Yellow

Yellow ochre

Napthol Red

Alizarin Crimson

Burnt Sienna

Ultramarine blue

I could have got by with only the Napthol Red, but I had some water based Alizarin already. I also only painted once without mineral spirits, but the nice thing about the water-based oils is that they work with either water or solvent. And sometimes when you’re traveling overseas, it is hard to locate solvents. But you can get it in Bali or Australia, although it took a few tries in Bali.

5. I made a wet painting storage box out of a cigar box and model maker’s wood (available at most art stores) and wood glue.
6. I used another small cigar box to store all my paint and mediums.
7. My leak-proof Holbien brush washer/solvent container
8. My Canon G11 camera
9. One jar each water-soluble alkyd medium and linseed oil. These really help when you only have water, as you really do not want to get your oil brushes wet with water. I try to use the mediums instead for thinning. Windsor and Newton sells brushes specifically made for using with water based oils, but I didn’t like the one I tried. The shape of hair is wrong, in my opinion.
10. My wonderful hat, purchased in Australia, and lost in Bali.L
11. A 7 x 10 in. Moleskin drawing notebook, and my black leather pencil case.
12. I used a plastic brush holding tube to protect my brushes.
13. An OpenM brass brush holder, which hangs on the side of the pochade box.
14. A small mirror

In addition I brought along gorilla glue and wrapped my tripods top legs with some duct tape to have it for emergency repairs. I ended up gluing and then wrapping duct tape around the corners of all my cigar boxes to prevent them from separating.

It all fit into a small daypack with room for water and snacks still left. It was liberating to have such a lightweight painting kit.

My Plein Air Equipment Assembled in my Australian Hotel

Amarsarta Temple, Bali. 7 x 10 in. Oil on Museum Board

Right after my trip to Australia, I went to Bali. I chose Bali primarily because it was an inexpensive flight from Perth, where I was at the time (you can see my blog post about Australia here). I had considered New Zealand and SE Asia, but Bali is so nearby, it seemed the easiest.  It is part of the Indonesian archipelago, just north of Australia.

Map of Bali,Indonesia

I flew in to Denpassar and the spent the first night in Kuta. It was very touristy and I quickly left for Ubud. I met some nice fellow travelers on the bus and found a nice room there quickly. Locally run guesthouse rooms ranged about $15 to $25 US and you get something quite nice for $25.  Ubud was fine, although also a little touristy. It’s famous as the final stop of the “Eat Pray, Love book and movie. It doesn’t really look like what was portrayed in the movie. It was very busy with traffic and constantly on the street people ask you to buy various things (this is the case In Kuta as well). The only way to get rid of them is to completely ignore them. Even a polite no seems to encourage them.

Near Ubud, Bali

I found a couple nice temples to paint nearby by. Amarsarta was a small temple with some nice animal carvings and I rented a Motorcycle one day and drove out to Tampakseering temple to paint. I also went to a great art museum, the Neka, in Ubud. A highlight of my visit in Ubud was meeting Pascal and Gavin for dinner one night, a couple I had met in Perth, who were coincidentally vacationing in Bali as well.

Sculpture at Tampakseering Temple, Bali

Tampakseering Temple, Bali, 7 x 8 in., Oil on Museum Board

After Ubud I went out to the east coast to Candidasa, where I had a nice beach front room. It was quieter and less touristy here. I rented a motorcycle and took a trip into the mountains to see the Besakih Temple. One thing that was confusing was the guides who tried to tell you that you could not go in to the temple without a guide unless you are a Hindu. Yes, There are certain areas of limits, but that is not true. I was confused and so basically did not go in, even though I had paid an admission. Later I found out the guides were lying. You do need long pants or dresses though and sleeves or you’ll have to rent a sarong.

The oceanfront at Candidasa, Bali

In order to get to the Besakih Temple, I used a small motorcycle. I have to say riding on narrow windy roads in the hills on a tiny little motorcycle is more fun than a roller coaster! I liked having the bike, but once I started thinking about it, since they do not come with any kind of insurance, I got spooked about liability (how western of me!) and decided to stop with the motorcycles. Next time I’ll try to arrange something in advance with a western insurance company, which is apparently the way to do it. It’s something like $5 -10 a day to rent a bike.

Northern Bali Mountains

I was still to hot, so next I considered going to the Gili Islands, but instead chose to head to the mountains, hoping for cool weather. And I got it, except it was raining torrentially. I stayed only one night in Candikunning, but did find a sheltered spot to paint the beautifully situated  Ulun Danu Beratan Temple.

The Ulun Danu Beratan Temple, Bali, 7 x 10 in., Oil on Museum Board

After Candikunning I took a bus to Kalibukbuk on the northern coast. I was hoping for nice beaches, but there had been storms and the beaches were a little wrecked. But the weather was good while I was there. I basically just stayed in Kalibukbuk. I met some great expats to drink with and the restaurants were cheap and delicious. I did a few paintings and had a relaxing time. I met a fun Belgium named Wim Vansteenbergen who was opening a guesthouse in the hills, and he would be a good contact if one finds oneself in Kalibukbuk. It was much more low key then the south of Bali, and definitely where I would recommend to head if one was going to Bali.

Kalibukbuk,Bali, 7 x 10 in., Oil on Museum Board

The beach in, Kuta, Bali

I then headed back down to Kuta, where I was hoping to lie on the beach for my last two days in Bali, but alas the rain came back (it was the end of the rainy season when I traveled) apparently there is excellent surfing in and near Kuta, and some people were doing it, despite the weather. The day after I left was the Balinese New Year and I got to see a nice parade and just wandered around. Apparently on the Balinese New Year, they actually close down the entire Island (including planes and ferries) and nobody is allowed on the street. And this is police enforced. Lucky I missed that day! I also tried a few nightclubs. Kuta is a party place, mainly aimed at young Australians, but I hate to say it, it was all just to loud.

Balinese Pre-New Year Parade

The goal of my visit to Bali was really to paint, but I mostly was lackadaisical about my opportunities. I think that was really because of the heat, this northern bred body just can’t get much done when it is humid and in the 90’sF. You do adjust to this after a few weeks, though, as I found in Thailand. I didn’t have a great time in Bali, but this may have been that was just bored traveling alone, this time. Certainly I met a lot of people who were having great trips.

Delicious Balinese Fruit

Bali is inexpensive, and the food can be wonderful. One could do it for $30 day, even less if you wanted to. There is a definite difference between what the locals eat and pay and what the tourists get. On my return bus ride to Denpasar, the driver wanted to stop and have lunch. I was the only passenger at this point, and we went into the restaurant where we had a simple meal of rice and gristly meat. The price was about 20 cents US. Normally I had been paying $2 to $4 US for meals, although they were much better.

I think Bali is changing from an agricultural economy into a tourist economy, and they definitely have issues with things like traffic and garbage disposal. This is of course an issue anywhere in second or third world Asia.

Sculpture Shop, Bali

Art materials were easily available on Bali. There are also a lot of skillful craftsman on Bali. Of particular note to me were the wood-carvers. If I was to go back to Bali, I would try to take a course in wood-carving, and there seemed to be some available.

And then I made the grueling 24-hour flight back to Chicago, via Perth and Hong Kong, arriving safely in Chicago, where I had missed an almost spring-like winter.

Click to view slideshow.

Perth Courthouse, 7 x 10 in., Oil on Museum Board

In February and March of this year I went to The South Pacific to work and do a some sketching when time allowed. This was facilitated by Kurt Perschke and his public art RedBall Project, which I helped Kurt put on for the 2012 Perth International Arts Festival.  I  did an earlier  post about the RedBall project here.

I spent about a month in Australia, specifically in Perth and Albany in the state of Western Australia, and then another two weeks in Bali, which is only a three-hour flight from Perth, which I will post about later.

Perth is in the lower left hand corner. Albany is slightly southeast of Perth on the bottom coast

I had a great time in Australia. Of course it was the summer there, so this year I got two summers. The   best part is the people I met in Australia, who were terrific, and that made all the difference. Perth itself is not a wildly interesting place, but extremely pleasant. It’s always on the list of top places to live in the world, and I can see that it would be an extraordinary place to raise a family, for instance.

Over Perth, 7 x 10 in., Oil on Museum Board

There are a couple nice art museums downtown, and a terrific beach at Cottesloe. The nicest town in the area is Fremont, which is a charming close suburb. Subiaco was nice as well. Also the public transportation system is excellent and there are great bike paths.

Fremont Town Square, 7 x 10 in., Oil on Museum Board

Perth, however, was extremely expensive, due to it’s remoteness and a local real estate and mining boom. A  budget meal and a beer were not to be easily had for less than 25 AUD, about the same as $25 US. I was told that the east coast by Sydney and Melbourne is less expensive. I am glad I had housing and a small expense account, or it would have been difficult.

The Redball, 7 x 7 in., Oil on Museum Board

We were part of the Perth Festival, which is a large music, theater and Public Arts festival that runs in February of Every year. About the same time there was a “Fringe” festival, featuring more alternative entertainment. Of course I was busy with our project so I did not see much of it, but the couple events I did see were wonderful. There was an incredible event put on by “ Les Studio De Cirque De Marseille, an acrobatic performance with wires strung up over downtown office buildings featuring flying “angels” and a snowstorm of Chicken feathers. I have to include this video, because it really was spectacular:

We also went down to Albany, about an hour flight or four-hour drive south of Perth, on the shores of the Southern Ocean. It is very beautiful with rocky shores and cliffs. And the only thing south of Albany is Antarctica. Albany is a nice town, with a small restaurant strip and some pleasant beaches and parks around. It is near one of the major wine growing regions in Australia, so a lot is on offer. They recently built a Performance Center right on the harbor, where many of the events from this satellite of the Perth Festival were held.

Albany Australia Coast, 7 x 7 in., Oil on Museum Board

Nearby is the valley of the Giants Tree Top Walk, with rope bridges strung up between very tall trees, and also a nice Nature Preserve nearby called Two Peoples. Down in Albany, you really realize the Australia is a BIG place, with not many people.

Overall, I had a great time in Australia. Australians are friendly and just lots of fun and I knocked something off my bucket list, which was too see the Southern Cross constellation.  And then I went to Bali….

Here are some more photos from my  Australia trip:

Click to view slideshow.

Wilson Beach, 5 x 7 in., oil on museum board.

View of Roosevelt-Campobello Park

At the beginning of July, I took a three-day painting trip up to beautiful Campobello Island, just over the border from Maine in New Brunswick, Canada. It is about a four and a half hour ride from Portland, Maine, and your last stop in Maine is Lubec, billed as the easternmost city in the US.

Lubec, Maine welcome sign

The instigation behind my visit was an invitation from artist, journalist and workshop instructor Mchael Chesley Johnson, of Campobello and Sedona, who issued an invitation for artists to come and paint that weekend. He had planned a reception, but alas, I was the only one who answered his invitation that weekend. He graciously shared his studio and gallery with me and I learned a few things just talking “shop” with him.

I camped for three nights at the Herring Cove Provincial Park ($25 a night) that was very nice and the weather held all three days I was there. I met a very nice couple also camping and shared good conversation in the evenings.

My campsite at Herring Cove.

The island is the sight of Roosevelt – Campobello International Peace Park, a joint Canadian/U.S. venture which contains a historic cottage from the Roosevelt’s, and a 2800 acre park containing dramatic coastal cliffs and a sublime forest and marsh environment inside.

Hubbard Cottage, Campobello Island, 7 x 10 in., oil on museum board

The fascinating thing about this area is the Bay of Fundy, which has the highest tides in the world. This is due to a geographical funneling f the water. One day as I was painting the water level changed about 8 ft. in two hours. Apparently there is up to a 26 ft. variation.

Lobster Cove, Campobello Island 7 x 10 in., oil on board

Campobello Wharf 8 x 10 in., oil on linen

Campobello Coast,oil on Board,8 x 10 in

The island is a great place to paint and I was really happy I made the trip, even though I was busy getting ready for some group shows that week. You can also take a ferry up to Deer Isle for $20 and then continue to St Andrew ,New Brunswick, and then on to Prince Edward island, Nova Scotia or even New Foundland. A trip I hope to make someday!

Alternatively you can turn around at St. Andrew, New Brunswick and drive back down into Maine through Calais or Eastport, making a nice driving loop. Don’t forget you’ll need a passport or enhanced drivers license to re-enter the U.S.

St. Martin’s Lane, Nantucket, Oil on Museum Board, 9 x 12 in.

Fremont, Australia Town Square, Oil on Museum Board, 7 x 10 in.

Breakfast Interrupted, Oil on Canvas, 18 x 22 in.

Study of Cassandra, Oil on Museum Board, 9 x 12 in.