Maple Oil Olive Syrup?
Posted on Wednesday, September 21st, 2011
I sigh as another summer closes without a trip to my beloved Italy. Filling the void with Italian film, music and books I joyfully cling to the promise of an extensive trip in 2012. One morning, feeling especially estranged by my Italian muse, I heard artist Fabrizio De Andre’s, Genova Blues on my i Tunes playlist and I began to question my identity.
How odd, I thought. An Italian artist singing the blues! An Italianesque version with an Elvis like twang and a spattering of heavily accented english lyrics. While reminiscing about how all things American are so enthusiastically embraced in Italy I envisioned the headline…”Canadian born artist paints Italy.” The question “who am I?” comes up. Am I Canadian? Am I Italian? Neither or both?
I recall the label “Italo Canadian.” A somewhat endearing term that has been artfully crafted to sum up this crisis of identity that greatly oversimplifies my personal experience. My childhood memories consist of snowy winters and snowmobiling, learning to water ski on an icy cold cottage lake and tapping frosty sugar maples for syrup in early spring.
Sparrow Lake, Ontario, Canada. I think I am about 4 yrs old and I LOVED that snowsuit!
Tapping trees and collecting sap, Gravenhurst, Ontario Canada
Add to this slivers of dreamy postcard scenes of a bustling almond harvest in Sicily. A lazy sojourn on a Calabrian beach strung with a row of straw huts and fetching olive oil from a stone cool cantina dating back to the middle ages.
Above: Archive photo of huts on Ferruzzano Beach Below: present day (photo by F. Sculli)
Since I started painting in fresco in 1993, my subjects have been predominantly Italian architectural landscapes. The wine and olive oil that runs through my veins is hard to ignore as is the special and close relationship I had with my grandmother whose village I paint tirelessly.
This past year however was a time for introspection and my rural setting and excruciatingly slow internet connection worked hand in hand to encourage a readjustment in priorties. While I made some space for change and growth I delightfully embraced it with the arrival of 7 horses that took up residence across the way and a family of bluebirds that visit daily to feed on our front lawn.
Images swirl through my mind with an urge to interpret subjects that are slightly removed from my “Italian side.” I come back to that timeless question. Am I Canadian? Am I Italian? I finally come to this conclusion. I am neither and both. I am a visual artist. I paint beauty and what is deeply familiar to me. I paint the complexity of who I am.
At present “home” looks more beautiful and familiar to me than ever and although I am sure that I will always maintain a fiercely Italian side to my personality, I hope you will enjoy discovering “my Canadian side” as well.
A presto! or should I say, until next time “EH!”
I am loving your Canadian side – are they frescos? I love the simplicity, the freshness and the open feel. Can’t wait to see them in the flesh.
Yes, yes frescoes. But lighter panels, thinner plaster and yes a fresh approach. Thank you Whitney!
They look great – simple – yet beautiful.
Beautiful.
It’s a wonderful gift to be bi- or tri-cultural! A citizen of the world…
Liana, You’re an amazing painter with a wonderful talent….I should know since I have three of your paintings which I admire each and every day….find time to reflect you will soon find your way…keep in touch
Thank you Shelly for your kind words and for visiting my site! It makes me very happy that you are enjoying your frescoes! I will certainly stay in touch!