Basket of Cheer 16 x 12 Oil Painting by Pat Fiorello $600 |
Friday, March 29, 2013
Spring Fever- Basket of Cheer
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
The Neighrborhood
Thursday, March 21, 2013
Firenze Sunset
Firenze Sunset 8 x 20 Oil Painting by Pat Fiorello $525 |
I recently learned that Florence was originally named Fiorentia by Caesar. The word means "flourishing". Little did he know that centuries later, the city would be flourishing as a major art center contributing to the Renaissance.
Sunday, March 17, 2013
Lake Como Dreams... and a 2 year anniversary!
Lake Como Dreams 16 x 20 Oil Painting by Pat Fiorello NFS |
I'd also like to acknowledge today is the 2 year anniversary of this blog, "Art Elevates Life". I have over 300 posts to date- which I can hardly believe since my first attempt at a blog the prior year lasted for a grand total of 2 days.
The reason is, the first time in 2010, I started the blog was because I thought I "should" do it and "should" is never motivating for long." Should" quickly turns in to a burden or obligation and then you give up. The second time I started the blog, I changed my context from "I should do it" to this could be a platform for sharing my enthusiasm for art and inspiring people to participate in art more (whether as an artist, student, patron, collector or any form of appreciation), as a contribution to enrich their lives. Sharing, inspiring contributing, enhancing- now those are a lot more exciting and enlivening than "should". so as they say, context is decisive. The WHY you are doing something is as important, if not more important than what or how you are actually doing it. That seems to apply to many areas of life.
Thank you so much for participating in this conversation with me. I appreciate your interest, support and feedback. Thank you for appreciating art and helping to share that enthusiasm with others, because I truly believe "Art Elevates Life".
Have a beautiful day!
and Happy St. Patrick's Day too!
Thursday, March 14, 2013
Memories of Bellagio
Memories of Bellagio 16 x 20 Oil Painting by Pat Fiorello |
Finished this one this week. Memories of Bellagio, which is a beautiful town on the shore of Lake Como, Italy known as the "Pearl of Lake Como". It's an absolutely enchanting, romantic place. A small town which seems to be mostly shops, hotels and restaurants and a few gardens near the lake shore area surrounded by lush foliage and with the alps in the distance. From there it's a short boat ride to Varenna on the other side of the lake - another charming place. And you can hop on and off the boat at several towns up and down the lake.
If you haven't been there yet, this might be one for your "bucket list". It's just a one hour train ride north of Milan. I hope to go back this September before my workshop on nearby Lake Garda.
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
The State of Art
Garden at Isola Madre 12 x 16 Oil Painting by Pat Fiorello NFS |
I'm working on a large painting right now that still needs a bit more work before I share it, so in the meantime I thought I'd share one of my favorites done awhile ago. I have this one hanging in my own house. Reminds me of happy days spent on Lake Maggiore in Italy. If you have always wanted to go to Italy, I am organizing another painting trip to Lake Garda in Northern Italy this September. for more details click here.
In the meantime, I thought I'd share a bit of inspiration for the day from artist Robert Henri to remind us what art is all about.
“The object is not to make art, but to be in the wonderful state that makes art inevitable” - Robert Henri
Friday, March 1, 2013
Venice Reflections
Venice Reflections 16 x 20 Oil Painting by Pat Fiorello |