Today I Have Learned That

Words Can Change Your Life  

I am one of the top reviewers on Trip Advisor. I started posting comments on hotels as a passing time. Then airlines and restaurants. And before I knew it, I got on the top 15% experts in the Milan area, with a worldwide readership of 16,500 --  one third from the USA. 

It feels good to say thanks publicly

Knowing that my most popular single review (over 2,000 people) is a terrible story about an airline I won't mention here, makes me feel so responsible. At the same time It feels good to say publicily thanks to the staff who had run the extra mile to help me in other difficult circumstances. But was I objective in both cases?

Hard to change a first bad impression

Now days our reputation is somehow out of our control more than ever before. Some pre-facebook behavioral studies, report that reversing a bad first impression takes eight times positive proves, compared to turning a first good impression into a bad one. I guess social media now will only ampiffy that phenomenon.

So what have I learned today?

That the words I say migth change someone's life. For the worse or the better. And that my life and art can be heavely impacted by people's opinion. That leads to a new question. Do I  inconsciously feel the pressure to 'behave my self' -- therefore lose my freedom?

Love to hear from you.

Francesco
PS. Conversations like this are a favorite after a workshop day, over a drink. If you wish to chat about life and art, consider joining me. Check my schedule here: https://www.francescofontana.com/workshops-schedule

Talk to me and share your passion

So much happened since my last newsletter in September. My workshop experience in Bali was so surprising and intense, it took me a week to recover from those overwhelming emotions. After a passage to Tuscany and then in Sicily -- I am back to the studio to put new inspiration into a new large painting series, as well as planning workshops.

The Bali Workshop 2013

As an art lover and collector you will receive frequent updates about currently available paintings, in the next newsletters. I will soon offer a special selection of my inventory to my email subscribers only.

If you paint and wish to be updated about my travels and workshop opportunities, California, Virginia, Italy, Paris and Monet's Giverny are just some of the fabulous destinations for 2014. A return to Bali will likely be schedules soon. Please check my calendar and inquiry now about my painting holidays and workshops.

Live in painting! : )) Francesco Fontana

Skype: fontasco | www.francescofontana.com | workshops@francescofontana.com

Find the Answers to be the Painter you Want ~ Workshops 2013

Dynamic Brushwork & Creative Mixing 

The holiday season is approaching. This year I double my workshop proposal. I offer my beautiful destinations in Italy and France, for those who visit Europe and wish to include the creative and social experience of plein air painting. On the other way around I made myself available to fly and join art centers and painters clubs worldwide, to teach custom designed workshops.

My program will focus on Creative Mixing & Dynamic Brushwork. You know, I have been teaching the alla prima method long enough, to be fully aware of the painters who will benefit from my instruction:

~        Those who do everything right and nevertheless their paintings still look 'cute'
~        Those who have some experience but their palette is never large enough
~        Those whose paintings are not as vivid as the expensive paint tubes in the box
~        Those who can't resist licking the canvas twice or more, at every paint load.

The painters qualified for my workshop are many more and the spots limited to eight per workshop. Be the first to get my help to discover your own personal answers (not the formulas) to be the painter you want to be!

Check out my 2013 Painting Holidays Tours here: http://www.francescofontana.com/network/Workshops_Plan.asp

Learn how to hire me for Your Custom Workshop: http://www.francescofontana.com/English/Painting-Workshops-Custom-Art-Centers.htm

Live in painting : )) Francesco

PS. New entry in the Painting Holidays Tours include Elba Island, Toscana and Marche

www.francescofontana.com
workshops@francescofontana.com

New scenaries to paint in Provence

This year I wanted to design a new itinerary in Provence for the next painting workshop 2 - 9 September. New scenaries yet within the same magical atmosphere of the sweet South of France we enjoed so much in the past four years.

Sign Up

We’ll be based just off Salon de Provence a key place as it is located just half hour from Marseille Airport, Aix en Provence – the native city of Cezanne --, St Remy and beyond in beautiful Luberon.

The 6 day painting workshop includes:

3 mornings of lectures + assignments
3 mornings of supervised autdoor painting
5 afternoons of outdoor painting along / free
1 afternoon off for shopping souvenirs

You only need to arrive in Marseille with the TGV train from Paris or land into Marseille Airport. Then we’ll pick you up to take you to the guesthouse. We’ll be accommodated in a tipical provencal Mas with swimming pool and have dinner at local restaurants. We only have one room left at the Mas. Sign up now!

Registration fee for this memorable experience is 690 Euro or 863 US$ which includes tuition, group transportation and the membership fee (benefits include revise of your works for a year after the workshop is finished).

Live in painting : ) Francesco
http://www.francescofontana.com/

Meet me in America - An inspirational tour

I’ll be travelling in the US for eight full days next April. My purpose is to paint out the ‘American beauty’, meet family and friends, and explore business opportunities.

If you wish to meet me over a coffee, please write me to
info@francescofontana.com

I’ll be around the East Coast from 10 to 19 April. I will drive from NYC to Virginia on Friday 15. Everyone is welcome..

Artists who wish to share a free paint out
Painters who want info on my summer and fall workshops in Italy and France
Venues willing to host my workshop in 2012
Collectors wishing to view my wet paintings and portfolio
Galleries and media

Get in touch! Francesco http://www.francescofontana.com/ | info@francescofontana.com
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Sicily Painting Workshop countdown

Getting ready to fly to Catania, for my first workshop in Sicily -- Monday 4th to Sunday 10th, May 2009. I am excited to meet this group of Americans willing to visit and paint outdoor in the Noto valley. I've travelled in this area a few years ago and felt in love with the wildness of the territory and nonetheless the stunning richness of its Baroque heritage. So I guess I am a bit afraid I would have to find my way to the several locations I planned to show to these new friends. As an expat Sicilian (but from the western coast) -- I am confident that my people and home land won't let me down. So I hope the Gps navigator!