Paintings Posts

Alla Stazione

I’ve just finished a small watercolor “study” of a perennial subject here in Italy – a group of the “old guys” hanging out and “chewing the fat” (a decidedly American expression – I’ll research it to see if there is an Italian equivalent of this expression). This scene was inspired by a local gathering outside our local train station.

I’m fascinated with the old boys’ club here in Italy. Just as you see groups of women congregating on park benches to talk about the latest and greatest news, the men, also, are constantly finding time and space to converse about current affairs and to editorialize about life ahead.

You might be tempted to describe such a scene as a group of bored old boys with nothing better to do. In Italy, conversing and being together in the moment, without a bunch of other noise, seems to be a well-developed art. I know that my American conditioning and upbringing often lead me to label such scenes as “unproductive”. What I’m learning, after so much time here, and after observing Italian life, is that people here seem to be adept at relating to and staying connected with one another.

For me, it is as though the question is being asked “Why the rush?” – followed by an admonition to “Be here now”.

I like that the Italians are helping me to look at life differently, and to step aside from a constant need to always be in “achievement” mode.

Lei aspetta – She Waits

I am always fascinated with life at the bar/cafes of Italy, as represented by this smaller watercolor that I recently completed. This painting was inspired by a cafe that was my regular hangout for a month, just around the corner from my intensive language classes in Rome at Torre di Babele. Everyday, during the “pausa” (the 30-minute break), I would head to this wonderful little cafe, where they roast their own beans, and where they make a mean espresso. I inevitably would linger to watch the locals coming and going. This woman in particular caught my eye with her protective and watchful body language. Who knows what her story is…

For this and other paintings and photography, check out my online gallery.

Nella Via – In the Street

As you may know from a previous post, I’m fascinated with snippets of everyday life in the cities and villages in Italy. I enjoy capturing regular people going about their lives. Here is a fellow I saw just out the front door of his home. Yes, he’s in the street, but he strategically has placed his chair to allow passage for at least one car. If I were him, I’d be worried about getting my left foot “clipped”. But, I’m sure the other people in these small villages know the ways and idiosyncrasies of one another, and respond accordingly.

I am enjoying working on these smaller watercolors, and I’ll continue doing so, while also exploring options for a large oil canvas that is waiting patiently for me here in my Umbrian studio.

For this and other paintings and photography, check out my online gallery.

La Vedetta

I recently completed a series of smaller watercolors, which included “La Vedetta”, the painting you see here. In Italian “La Vedetta” refers to a person who is always on watch, and in this case probably a person “in the know” as well.

I have long been fascinated with life as seen from and in the windows of Italy. Wherever I go, I see women and men keeping watch from their windows – often times quite openly, and other times quite furtively. After having completed this painting, I have resolved to take my faithful camera and to head out to both the small villages and large cities to capture the many variations on this theme. I believe this is a subject worthy of extensive exploration. I love bringing the psychology of such scenes to my work.

If you’ve spent any significant time in Italy, or if you plan to be in Italy for an extended stay, be prepared to experience the watchful eyes of your neighbors. You may think houses and windows are closed, but people are more keenly aware of your comings and goings than you can imagine. On one hand this is a very good thing since it provides you with a “neighborhood watch” that can put you more at ease. On the other hand, you might want to be mindful to always be on your best behavior as you could be the subject of later conversation and speculation!

For this and other paintings and photography please visit my online gallery.

Kindness – Jed’s first oil painting.

After years and years of painting solely with watercolors, I have completed my first oil painting. Whew. My perfectionism characteristics had been setting me up for possible failure, but the better part of me reminded me that this was the first step in learning, and even failure can lead to development of  style and technique. I guess there are lots of life lessons in that as well. If I only proceed with the assurance of success, or of a predetermined outcome, the borders of my universe are going to be fairly narrow and confining.

Many people have asked why I would I dive into the world of oil painting when I have achieved pretty good success with watercolor. The simple answer is “scale”. I’ve been wanting to expand my scale of expression. Watercolors seem to be more limiting in this regards – not only from the size of the materials, l.e. watercolor paper, but the medium itself. Watercolors can have a life of their own, and painting with them is often a race against the clock.

How nice it has been to work on a larger “canvas” and with paints that dry slowly and allow me to work in greater subtleties and detail. The flip side of that is that working in oil has required great patience on my part, since the paint dries much more slowly. Another life lesson there – the process of building, of taking one step at a time, and then trusting in the end result.

I’ve titled this painting “Kindness” because that is the overwhelming sense I get when looking at this man. I remember meeting him on the island of Tinos, in Greece, several years ago, and he was peddling his homemade wine. Those of you who know me and my work, know that I have a love affair with older faces and the unique map of lines etched in them. These lines convey so much, particularly in regards to a person’s history and their character.

Now I am taking a breather, as I begin packing my art supplies for the move back to Umbria for most of the spring and summer. My next canvas will be even larger, and I am contemplating my next subject matter. I’ll let you know what I choose, and how my next oil painting is progressing.

For this and other paintings and photography, please be sure to visit my online gallery.

Bella – Private Collection – Jed is a Signature Member of the National Watercolor Society

“Bella” is one of my favorite paintings, inspired by a chance encounter I had, several years ago, with a wonderful Italian woman on the isle of Burano, just outside of Venice. If you haven’t visited Burano, it is a fishing village of colorfully painted houses. Often times you will see women sitting outside their houses along the canals intently making lace. Most visitors to Venice flock to Murano to see the glass-blowers (and make purchases), leaving Burano in its shadow. Do yourself a favor, especially is you’re an artist or photographer, and spend time in Burano. You will find ample subject matter.

From time to time, I will post earlier works as a trip down memory lane. Also, in this particular instance, I want to pay tribute to my dear friend Sherry, who had “Bella” in her private collection. Sherry recently passed away and she frequently told me how much she loved having the company of this painting in her home.

See this and other paintings and photography in my online gallery.

Just Hanging

I love painting scenes of everyday life here in Italy. I don’t think I’ll ever grow weary of the rich street scenes I see everywhere. Gatherings of the “good old boys” is the focus here. I’m sure I’ll be revisiting this theme again. Visit my online gallery for more watercolors and other artwork and photography.