What’s On my Easel in Real Time #4

Posted on Wednesday, September 16th, 2009

This is the final installment of “What’s on my easel in real time” edition 1. It has been fun so look for another edition soon. Since my last post I have added 2 sections of plaster to this peice. Giornata 2 (the 2nd section of plaster and my 2nd painting day) was all of the stone work in the background.

Giornata 3 (the 3rd section of plaster and my 3rd painting day) was the scenery in the window.

Now along with Penelope she waits to be transferred. I will let the rest speak for itself, except to say that she needs a name…any suggestions?

“Untitled” or “Penelope’s sister”

Posted on Wednesday, September 9th, 2009

Welcome once again! This is the 3rd installment of What’s on my easel in real time. You can see here that the first “giornata” or painting day on this fresco is complete. The second section of plaster has been laid.

The humidity index here is 50-80% which means I have been forced to leave my plaster “open” almost 24 hours before I can begin painting. I need the plaster to remain damp, but not so much that my brush will dent it. It is somewhat of a waiting game. If you have ever watched paint dry (or plaster) you know how frustrating this can be!!

I have recently found that by laying the plaster the day before, I can begin painting early the next day. Very important since once I am able to start, I must finish within 12 hours ( before the plaster starts it’s curing stage.) But when I go to Arizona the humidity index will be 0-7% and that’s a whole new ball game! (sigh)

I am often asked “why bother doing all this? The answer is because…

There is nothing like a true fresco!

Enjoy!

“Penelope”

Posted on Thursday, September 3rd, 2009

So in keeping with posting what’s on my easel in real time. The 2nd section of plaster on “Penelope” is now finished and will be curing on my easel while I prepare panels for new works.

At 30″x30″ she will now continue “waiting” to be transferred onto cloth as she is too heavy to stay on plaster and cement board. This will happen throughout the next few weeks. The window by which she sits was referenced from a fascinating place called Bruzzano,Calabria.

Below you can see that everything and everyone from the village is long gone. You can also see my mother’s village of Ferruzzano on the hilltop in the background.

Interestingly, there is visible evidence of inhabitation of from byzantine, pre-hellenic and even neolithic civilizations here ..look closely at the rock and how it is carved in places

Does that look like a buffalo? and a cave dwelling?? Well I guess we are talking thousands of years BC… Calabria has such a rich history!

If you like what you see here, be sure to view my You Tube video called “My Italy” for more beautiful imagery from Calabria as well as more frescoes. The complete and final version is now done! See you there!