My Obsession with Venice

You may have the universe if I may have Italy"

- Guiseppe Verdi -

"Venice is like eating an entire box of

chocolate liquers in one go"

- Truman Capote -

How to describe what Carnival in Venice is about?

baroque madrigal street musicians

masked costume balls in palazzos

la traviata at the Fenice Theatre

the music of Vivaldi

Commedia dell'arte: ie: harlequin, pulcinella, columbina in costume

Carnival in Venice - Carole Segal
Mixed Media on Handmade Paper
15" x 22"

to see an amazing video click here

Not too long ago, I was fortunate to be able to spend several days in Venice.

Although I was not in Venice during Carnival, the sights were awesome to say the least. No matter which way I was facing, what I saw was the amazing architecture of Venice.

Assemblage of Carnival in Venice
Carole Segal   20" x 20"

Traveling the Grand Canal each day, walking through the cobblestone streets in quaint neighbourhoods. Dining at outdoor cafes, and just being at Piazza San Marco at dusk sipping my limoncello while an orchestra played was inspiration enough.

in piazza san Marco

Shopping on the canal

Lobby of my hotel

Gondolas

Shopping in Venice

My hotel Palazzo Sant'Angelo sul Grand Canal, being a small boutique hotel of 24 rooms,a reconverted palazzo, http://www.palazzosantangelo.com designed in the grand baroque style was facing the Grand Canal. The hotel is situated right on the Canal between L'Accademia and the famous Rialto Bridge.

Carnival in Venice happens in February of each year during the period of lent. This year's Venice Carnival 2011 has some outstanding opulent events to engage the pleasure of the senses. Wishing I could be there and partake of the costumes, music, and of authentic Venice in the 14th century. http://www.venice-carnival-italy.com

Movies that I have enjoyed, filmed in Venice:

"Summertime" Katherine Hepburn and Rossano Brazzi

"Roman Holiday" Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck

"The Wings of the Dove" Helena Bonham Carter

"Artemesia" Valentina Cervi and Michel Serrault

"Casanova" Heath Ledger, Sienna Miller, and Jeremy Irons

My artwork and photography, which are presented here grew out of an obsession with Venice. For years I collected Images, found objects, learned polymer clay techniques in Molding and finally the artwork grew and thrived under the Venetian influence.

The Amazing Art Challenge

A good philosophy for artists to follow”

“Great Painting is never Perfect,

and Perfect Painting is never Great”

The Art Challenge started as an experiment, with three painting friends. The intention being to paint from the same photo. Three more have since joined. So that we are all on the same page, each artist gets a turn to send a photo to the others.

The challenge is to produce paintings that push beyond the comfort zone using different approaches. Believe me it’s a struggle when you receive the photo, and you say “what am I going to do with this”? We each have our own personal style, and there is no perfect way to do art. The idea is to not copy the photograph slavishly, but to interpret. I am even suggesting using two photos together, ie a figure photo, together with a landscape, or street scene.

The medium: oil, or oil with acrylic underpainting, or mixed media. Size of surface, and style of painting is up to each person. There needs to be structure so I am suggesting deadlines for each challenge. We are trying to stay on course, and stay focused if we are to accomplish a good strong cohesive body of work for our group. There should be no sense of competition, as this leads to frustration and blocks creativity. We will review strategies for the future. You never know if and when we will be asked to do some publicity.

"Cintas en el Viento"

(Ribbons in the Wind)

Oil on Canvas

24" x 30"

Photo taken in Oaxaca, Mexico