Travel Art

Painted en plein air while overlooking the walled hill town of San Gimignano, this piece captures the timeless charm of one of Tuscany's most iconic medieval villages. Known for its striking skyline of ancient towers, San Gimignano has long captivated travelers with its preserved architecture and panoramic views of the rolling countryside. Standing before this scene, brush in hand, I aimed to honor the beauty and heritage of this remarkable place. (Original)

Awakening before dawn at the agriturismo—a working farm in the Figline area of Tuscany, just outside Florence—I was greeted by this breathtaking view right outside my window. The soft, early light cast a magical glow over the landscape. I later brought this moment to life in the studio, painting it in oils from photo references taken during my stay. This piece captures not just a place, but a feeling—of stillness, wonder, and the quiet beauty of a Tuscan morning. (Print | Original)

This large 18 x 36" oil painting captures the vibrant energy of a bustling street corner in Florence, just steps from the famed Duomo—formally known as the Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore. Painted in the studio from photos I took during my time in the city, this piece reflects the movement, color, and architectural splendor that define Florence. From the historic stonework to the rhythm of everyday life passing by, I sought to preserve the unique pulse of this unforgettable corner of the Renaissance capital. (Original)

Painted from a peaceful perch behind San Francesco, a centuries-old church in the hilltop town of Pienza, this scene captures one of Tuscany's most breathtaking vistas. With rolling hills stretching into the distance and soft golden light blanketing the countryside, the view felt almost timeless. I was drawn to the serenity and quiet majesty of the moment—a reminder of why Pienza is considered one of the jewels of the Val d'Orcia region. This piece is my attempt to honor that sense of stillness, wonder, and the sacred beauty found in both nature and place. (Original)

This piece was created in the studio after returning home from Tuscany, inspired by a smaller plein air painting I completed onsite. Montalcino, the subject of this work, is a picturesque hill town nestled in central Italy, not far from Siena. Famed for its world-renowned Brunello di Montalcino wine, the town is surrounded by rolling vineyards, ancient stone walls, and sweeping countryside views. I aimed to capture the timeless charm and rustic elegance of this special place—where history, culture, and the land itself come together in perfect harmony. (Original)

The Ponte Vecchio, or "Old Bridge," spans the Arno River in Florence. Although floods have damaged it over the centuries, the bridge has stood since 1345. Closed to vehicular traffic, it has always hosted shops and merchants along its length. This detailed oil painting, created in the studio from a photo reference, is my most recent work in the collection. (Print | Original)

San Fruttuoso is home to the Romanesque Abbey of San Fruttuoso, a historical gem dating back to the 10th century. Nestled on the Mediterranean coast of the Italian Riviera in the northern Italian region of Liguria, San Fruttuoso is a tiny, yet strikingly picturesque, bay between Camogli and Portofino. Inaccessible by car or train, it is a short distance by boat from the city of Genoa. Our group ferried over there where I created a small watercolor sketch of this abbey onsite, then completed a larger oil painting in the studio later. (Original)

My painting group took a day trip from Camogli, our home base, to Portofino, about a half-hour's drive along the coast. I sketched this scene from inside a cafe looking out at the busy town center, then painted Looking out at Portofino in oils in my studio. The piece captures the vibrant Mediterranean atmosphere and colorful charm that make Portofino one of Italy's most beloved coastal destinations. (Original)

Boccadasse Beach* is situated in a small cove in the Boccadasse neighborhood of Genoa, where our painting group began a week of painting and adventuring. I painted this work onsite, tucked in next to a boat amidst a swim meet and lots of tourists.

*on the list this painting is called Near Genoa (Original)

Camogli is a fishing village and tourist resort located on the west side of the peninsula of Portofino, on the Golfo Paradiso, often called the Italian Riviera, near Genoa, Liguria, northern Italy. Legs dangling off a pier I painted this small watercolor onsite. (Original)

oil on panel. Another version of the harbor boats, this one in oils.

Cinque Terre is a string of centuries-old seaside villages on the rugged Italian Riviera coastline of the Ligurian Sea. The five towns are linked together by train or walking trail. These two works, Cinque Terre Cafe and Postale On the Hill, are large oil pastel drawings, drawn later in the studio, matted and framed under glass. (Original)

The Bowl We Bought in Deruta is a large (24" x 30") still life painted with oil on canvas. The bowl in the painting was a purchase made on trip my late husband and I took. We spent some time in Deruta, a hill town in the Umbria region of central Italy. Long known as a center of refined maiolica manufacture, Deruta remains known for its ceramics. (Maiolica is a type of tin-glazed earthenware, originally developed in the Islamic world and brought to Italy via Majorca during the Renaissance.) For sentimental reasons, the original is not for sale.