For this painting, I wanted the experience of using Zorn’s limited palette with my own artistic vision. I painted this from a photograph I took one night in Florence, and it represents a wonderful memory. My sweetheart and I were out for a walk just as a soft evening rain had let up, and we decided to treat ourselves to some late night gelato from Finisterrae, my favorite café in Florence. As we crossed Piazza Santa Croce, teenagers were playfully kicking a ball around to each other. It was a priceless moment. You can never plan for magical evenings like this. They just happen.
I left my heart in Florence, Italy
Season’s Greetings,
2019 marks a milestone year for me. I was able to realize a longtime dream of mine and spent 6 weeks in Florence, Italy studying at the Florence Academy of Art. What an amazing ride! Florence is widely considered to be the birthplace of the Renaissance. Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Donatello, Dante — all from Florence. This was a trip I absolutely had to take, to see this place for myself. So when things aligned and the opportunity became clear, it was a no-brainer. In fact, I think every artist, no matter where you are on your artistic journey, needs to visit Florence at least once. It can change your life. Truly it still feels a bit like a dream. I also met some of the most amazing new friends from around the world, whom I will never forget. Since this experience is well beyond sufficient words to describe, I thought I would share a short bit of poetry I wrote — a love letter, really. I’ve also posted a few pictures I took from my trip at the bottom. I hope you enjoy, and have a wonderful holiday season.
My Heart In Florence
A winter in Minnesota
And I, discontent
I want to be where painters spent
And sculptors filled
The streets with awe
For their great skill
Beheld no flaw
Piazzas, churches,
And sidewalk treats
Museums, music,
And artists meet
The Arno, the Pitti
The majestic Dome
Leonardo and Michelangelo
For they, ‘twas home
So in these words
I place my love
Where hopes and dreams
Fall from above
A day may come
To meet again
But until then, my heart is yours
Until the end.
Grazie, Firenze.
A statue of Dante Alighieri stands outside the beautiful Basilica of Santa Croce. This is one of my favorite places in Florence. Both Michelangelo and Galileo are buried here.
After climbing the Bell Tower of the Duomo, I was able to see the majesty of Brunelleschi’s Dome at eye level.
Officially called the Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore, the Florence Cathedral is more commonly known as the Duomo. This enormous structure left me utterly speechless when I first came upon it, and Piazza del Duomo became one of my favorite spots in Florence.
Day or night, I never tired of seeing the light and reflections from the Arno River.
A beautiful view while walking along Viale Galileo.
One of the most picturesque views of Florence.
The Loggia dei Lanzi sculpture gallery is one of the few places in Florence that has original sculptures out in the open for the public to enjoy. My friend and I thought these were replicas until a security guard told us that they are, in fact, originals. The city wanted to have at least one place where the people could enjoy some original works without having to pay for it.
Inside the Bargello is Donatello’s bronze sculpture of David. Even though Michelangelo’s David is the most famous, his wasn’t the first. Donatello was commissioned for two David sculptures before Michelangelo was born.
Standing tall within the Accademia Gallery, is Michelangelo’s David. A mere photograph doesn’t tell the complete truth. This statue is a giant and every bit as magnificent as what people say.
My large Still Life painting at The Florence Academy of Art. Oil on wood panel.
More to come.
In art,
-jw
A look back…
Hi everyone,
As we close out 2018, I’d like to share some fun experiences from the year.
First, I had a blast studying with Mr. Tom Fluharty last spring! This was a study piece using the Dutch-Flemish technique. Really tough stuff, but with heavy guidance from the master, here is the result (you don’t want to see the outtakes that led up to this). This was truly a collaborative effort between teacher and student, and a very special experience for me. I feel incredibly blessed to be such a close distance to such an amazing artist, friend, and teacher.
This summer I also attended a portrait drawing workshop at the Florence Academy of Art’s US location in Jersey City, NJ. What an amazing experience. There is nothing more challenging and rewarding as drawing from life. We had three models to choose from. I chose to draw Santiago. Half the fun of being an artist is creating, and the other half is the people. I met people from all over the world at this workshop, from New York, to the UK, to Australia, to Russia, to Hawaii. It’s an experience I will never forget. It’s always hard to say goodbye when you make such wonderful connections.
And finally, I was back in Joe Paquet’s painting class this fall! It feels so great to be back. I really missed these guys. They are like a second family. The painting below is partially from a photo I took in Puerto Vallarta, and partially invented. I captured these two figures as they were walking along the marina. This handicapped gentleman had such an interesting face that I tried to capture many times, but couldn’t quite get it. So I managed to capture him and his companion as they walked away. The background in the photograph was a little too busy, so, taking advice from Mr. Paquet (when a master painter gives you advice, you take it), I painted the background “out of my head.” I used a couple of random references for lighting and color, but otherwise the background is completely invented. This was way beyond my comfort zone. But sometimes you need someone to give you a solid push in order to achieve something you didn’t previously believe possible. The magic of painting is that there is always something new to discover, about art, life, and yourself. Beauty and growth are abundant.
That’s all, folks.
Happy New Year!
-jw
Painting Study - The Eyes of Marty Feldman
I am currently studying the Dutch-Flemish oil painting technique with master artist and illustrator Thomas Fluharty. Though my first love is always pencil drawing, my goal right now is to transition from pencil to paint. This is the beginnings of the underpainting.
Welcome to my website!
This is my first blog post.