Italians Wear It with Reverence and Dignity
Italians demonstrate their passion in a multitude of ways. Many non-Italians might think this would manifest mainly as energetic hand gestures, unrestrained facial expressions, [...]
Living in the here and now.
I don’t often go through the archives of my past paintings… Recently I did and came across this one, entitled [...]
We Just Keep Waiting…
The paint is still drying on my latest oil painting, “Ca’ Rezzonico.” When it does, I’ll add my signature. As I stand back, ready [...]
A Nighttime Excursion in Surreal Venice
I've never seen my favorite Italian city like this. A surreal Venice is a lonely Venice. Even in the wee hours of normal Venice [...]
Celebrating the Beauty of the Ordinary
Most of us are trained to pursue idyllic beauty. Myself included. From an early age, marketers have pummeled us with pictures and messages that [...]
Exploring Venice Night Scenes, Introducing “Midnight Passing”
"Midnight Passing" — © Jed Smith 2020, oil on canvas Two solid months of steady work on a large [...]
Capturing Telling Moments of Italy in Crisis
Beauty, even in the shadows. I've been watching, my camera always close-by, the scenes of Italy in crisis and people living in lockdown. Like [...]
Scenes of Solitude Amidst Italy’s Coronavirus Crisis
Reaching for my camera and reportage... In the often overwhelming heaviness of Italy's coronavirus crisis, it has been far too easy for me to shut [...]
The Allure of Venice at Night
Those of you who've been following my blog understand I have a love affair with Venice. And, it continues to deepen, particularly in regards to [...]
Italian Men and Their Card Games
It's a scene you won't have difficulty finding throughout Italy. Head to almost any piazza, especially just before lunch until well past dinner, and you'll [...]
The Mountain is My Teacher
It happens every time, this invitation to wake up. So, why do I jump back into the swirling river of busyness and the world of [...]
Washing Up at the Communal Fountain
It's often a family affair. I could park myself at these rustic communal fountains near the beaches of southern Italy (this one's in Puglia, the [...]
Italian Faces Define A Medieval Celebration
Sulmona, Medieval, jousting, la giostra cavalleresca, abruzzo
La Festa del Redentore in Venice Delivers
A front-row seat and an iPhone yield surprising results. Normally, for a spectacle of the magnitude of La Festa del Redentore, I'd be packing my [...]
The Sure Fire Creativity Killer
Being motivated by what people might think can kill the creative muse. I've known I've been a people pleaser most of my life. I've often [...]
A Nap on the Steps of the Duomo di Siena
A trip down Memory Lane. I've been so immersed in digital wizardry for so many years that I often forget about my vault of 35mm [...]
Put It on Ice.
Time for a short break to refuel... I've been going, going, going and doing, doing, doing. While I pat myself on the back for being [...]
Living the Colorful Life on the Island of Burano
How does daily living amongst saturated color affect a person? I've been asking myself this question ever since I first visited the island of Burano [...]