Working with Galleries and Stores

I have had a fantastic time showing my work at Kirby and Conpany for the past few months.  It has been a real honor and a pleasure to work with such a beautiful store and wonderful people.

As my show comes to a close I have become aware that some people thought that it might be better to wait until after the show to purchase artwork so that I wouldn't have to split the sale with the store.  So I'd like to talk a little about my thoughts on the subject.

I'd rather represent myself than show with just any gallery or showroom.  So when I do decide to show in a bricks and mortar location I really choose carefully and only show in places that I really believe in, points I consider are:

Personal Chemistry

Synergy

Good percentages

Shared Vision

Exposure to new markets for my work

It's important that I have good sales when I show in these venues so that the next time I approach a place I want to work with I can point to past successes.

It's also important that these venues get compensated for the work they put into promoting my work and for the wall space I occupy in their locations that could contain other stuff.

I will continue to look for great partners as I go forward and I will also continue to promote and sell my work on my own.

As always, I am profoundly thankful for all who support my work, from sharing my work and events on social media to purchasing my paintings.

Driving in Italy

I was really excited to drive in Italy, but it had been awhile since I drove in a foreign country, I was concerned about navigation and by the reputation of Italian drivers as being a little bit crazy.

I arrived in Milan and picked up my Renault Twingo, which felt like it could fit in the back of my Wrangler.  It had only 13 km on it and was brand new (I put 1,500km on it during the course of the week).

The drive down to Umbria was without incident.  The rest stops were plentiful and I had rented a GPS so I wouldn't have to worry about getting lost.

I drove a lot in Umbria and then went to Rome and Milan.  My GPS crapped out in Rome so I ended up my trip relying on old school maps, Italy's excellent signage and my very fortunate sense of direction.

Here are some of my thoughts on driving in Italy:

• Italians believe they are race car drivers, they speed and tailgate constantly.
• Driving in Umbrian hill towns means navigating two way roads as wide as your tiny rental car.
• Sometimes these roads end in dead ends so be comfortable backing up.
• Umbria has a lot of gravel roads, it can be dusty.
• Gas is expensive, fortunately the cars mileage is superior to American cars.
• Manual transmissions really are best.
• Driving is an amazing way to see the countryside and get off the beaten path.

Caridad driving down a two way street with pedestrian traffic in Lugnano in Teverina

Off roading in my little Twingo...poor little car!

The Road between Rome and Milan along the coast.

Someone found a good parking space!

Mona and Klaus

One of the many unexpected delights of my trip to Umbria and stay in Porchiano Del Monte was getting to meet Mona and Klaus.  When I arrived in Porchiano, Caridad told me we were having dinner with her friends and neighbors.  It turns out they were Danish (as is my mother) and so we totally hit it off.  They run a B&B in Porchiano (Click here for their face book page) and judging by the hospitality they showed me (not even a guest) I can imagine what a treat it would be to stay there. They have an outstanding view over the rooftops and the valley and Mona and Klaus are both excellent cooks.  They grow a large amount of their own food and I was even honored to try there home grown meet (they raised their own pig last year and we had bacon and a type of salami from him).  Plus they are the absolute nicest people (I even liked their cats).

Everyone should be lucky enough to get out of the big cities and tourist attractions of Italy and spend some time living the Italian life like I did in Porchiano.

Klaus, Mona and Caridad on the balcony, First night there.

In danish we would call this a Rullepolse, I have no idea how you would call it in English.  The raised the pig and made it themselves.  When I say it was one of the best things I have ever tasted I am not exaggerating! 

Homemade rugbrod (Danish pumpernickel), homemade rullepolse, homemade Aegekage including home grown eggs and bacon.

The view from the terrace overlooking Umbria and the roofs of Porchiano.

Top 10 Reasons to visit Umbria

10. The food.  I had wild foraged asparagus and home grown bacon, amazing pizza and fresh pasta.  The food was simple but exquisite in its freshness and flavor.

9. Charming unknown hill towns to visit.  Many don't even have hotels but places to stay can be found in AirBnB and similar and its a great experience.  I stayed in Porchiano Del Monte.

8.  It's the green heart of Italy.  There are many natural beauties to be found.  Just driving through the countryside was a constant delight.

7.  It's full of monsters!  Check out the Parco Dei Mostri not far from Rome.

6.  No crowds.  Unlike Tuscany, Umbria is just enough off the beaten path that you can enjoy your trip without the constant barrage of tourists and tourist traps.

5. Festivals like Penna In Fiore which j went to and also the famous Spoleto Jazz Festival

4.  It's Affordable.  Umbria is relatively inexpensive.  I was constantly surprised by how little things cost.

3.  Assisi.  A spectacular city that was home to St. Francis.

2.  You can stay on a farm or vineyard that doubles as a B&B by staying at an agritourismo.

1.  The people.  I was completely welcomed by the people I met there.  From my host Caridad, to the little old ladies of Porchiano del Monte that. We're concerned by my walking out of the house without shoes.  To my hosts neighbors who coined for me and treated me like a daughter.  It was like coming home. 

The Park of Monsters - Parco Dei Mostri

This morning I drove the short distance to Parco Dei Mostri.  The park was built by the Duke of Bomarzo in the late 1500's in memory of his wife.  Full of allegorical, fantastic and massive sculptures made even more magical by the fact that the trees are shedding their seed pods and which float through the air and catch light.  A sacred River runs through most of the heavily wooded park as well.  If you are ever in Rome, especially with children, this place is definitely worth the trip!  http://www.sacrobosco.it

This monster was big enough that a tall person can easily walk in the mouth. 

These giants were wrestling, note the railing next to them for scale.  

Found an elephant for my Friend Elaine:) 

The leaning house.

Penna in Teverina

Today Caridad had a festival in Penna in Teverina to attend so I came with her to see the flower festival 'Penna in Fiori' and paint.  Painted two small pieces and had a great time.

Tonight, I returned to Penna with my new Danish friends Klaus and Mona for the community dinner in conjunction with the festival.  We sat in the piazza and ate a very nice meal, with an open bar and live jazz for 5 euro.

It's so special to visit Umbria and get such a wonderful taste of country life in Italy!  

Painting in Penna.

Penna in Teverina from outside the walls.

At the community dinner.

Kids playing 'Hide and Seek' in the Medieval section of the city.

Lugnano in Teverina

After painting, Caridad had to teach a lesson so I went to another nearby city called Lugano in Teverina.  The medieval streets were up and down and turned all around in a maze, which made me grateful for modern urban planning.  I sat in the piazza and did a quick sketch of the old church and listened to the bells of the church.  And then I enjoyed the spectacular view across the valley.

I wish I could share the smells of Italy on the Internet.  Umbria is very much country and you come across hints of wood smoke as you walk.  I followed the smell of a bakery to find some fresh made bread and the pines and herbs were constant as we worked in the countryside yesterday. 

The narrow, twisting and steep streets of Lugnano in Teverina.

My quick sketch of the church.

The view from Lugnano in Teverina

Another image of Lugnano in Teverina

Wild Asparagus, Vipers and Painting

After lunch Caridad and I went out into the fields to paint.  As we were walking down the dirt road we heard a rustling in the bushes, Caridad preceded to tell me all about the Vipers of Italy and how I shouldn't walk where I couldn't see around me!  Yikes!

Then as we were setting up we found a huge treasure of wild asparagus!  I had no idea they grew wild in Italy.  We harvested a huge bouquet of them for omelette a for breakfast tomorrow, but they tasted pretty amazing fresh off the stalk on the side of a dirt road in the middle of Umbrian fields.

Our Wild Asparagus

Painting the second painting of the day.

Final painting of the day.

Porchiano del Monte

So excited to arrive in beautiful Porchiano del Monte a tiny medieval hill town in Umbria.  I'm staying with my artist friend Caridad Barragan (check her out on Instagram, FB, and etsy) and she's showing me the sites. 

Caridad painting this morning.

Me painting.

Beautiful scenery

Getting ready for Italy

Painted 4 paintings in two days.  Good practice for next week!