Let Me Visit You

Next Custom Workshop: Bali, Indonesia

I am so thrilled to be preparing my travel to Bali, Indonesia where a local group of internediate oil painters is waiting for me next October 14, 2013.

This event is one of the results of my announcement some time ago, when I sent out e newsletter offering custom workshops. In other words I am ready to fly to join groups and art centers around the world -- in addition to my self-organized painting holidays in France and Italy.

Are you a member of an artists club or school of art?

If you are part of an art organization, please consider booking me to teach a workshop next year or further on. It's never too early! Let me visit you at you place. I'll love to meet you and share my method and my experience! Talk to me

I have a talent for teaching. I’ll never stop learning but one thing I know for sure: I know how to share what I know. I got the right words, the timely gesture, the lively example for you to get the insight you're looking for. I believe a master is the one who allows you to become what you are. Empathy first of all: your struggle is my struggle.

Francesco's Floral Demo from Life at the Public Library, Feb 2013

>> Francesco offers a well-run workshop with solid instruction, tailored to suit individual levels – from beginners to professionals. His skill with language makes it possible for a multi-cultural group to share artistically.  I came away with improved painting skills.  Bruce Bingham -- USA / Malta <<

Dynamic Brushwork & Color Mixing are the main focus of my program through demos, individual work plan, assignments and assistance, painting along, general critique and six month personal email follow up. 

Take notice

~ Length can be 3 days or longer, 6 hrs daily

~ Media oil or watercolor at your choice, all level
~ Subjects: landscapes en plein air; still life & floral indoor
~ Fluency in English French and Italian

Hire Me for a Workshop

I'll be available in the USA mid April 2014. Write me a line to make workshops@francescofontana.com to make a plan.

Live in painting ; )) Francesco

PS. If this is the first time you hire me, I am happy to either offer money off my fee, or put on my charge the airfare or alike.

PPS. If you wish to both sponsor the event and attend as a painter, you might come to up with little to zero fee! Learn how. Email me now: 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

Make a gift to your artist friends: buy their art!

The best gift you can do to an artist is to choose one of their works. The choice is an implicit sign of respect, appreciation, even affection. Artists - creatures with emotional issues, childhood trauma, or at least a wheel out of place - live in constant need of these confirmations. The applause is the mother of all confirmation, the purchase of a record, or a book, or a ticket, is its father.

Furthermore the gift is mutual. Nothing better than a work of invention and love, rewards the intellect and soul of those who buy art. It's the only case in which you give a gift to someone and keep it in your home to admire and show. It's time for a good work. We created it. Now do the right thing: buy it!

Please visit my on-line Portfolio!

PS. Thanks to Emma Thurgood for the insight 
PPS. I just did it with my artist friend Bruce. Can't wait to receive her painting in the mail

Free Like a Bird

I wish my friends and family to vote for the best on Novembre 6th, 2012, to make America an equitable Country and more people  'Free Like a Bird'!

What a lovely day in New York City! The cherry trees are blooming in Central Park and I feel free to fly on my bicycle!

Mixed Oil & Acrylic on Linen | 26 x 26 cms (10,4" x 10,4") |

How to Buy this Painting | Comment and Share

[http://www.francescofontana.com]

Palazzo Carafa

The Good Will

It was a sunny Sunday in the heart of Lecce and I was inspired by the flags waving against the blue sky. 

As I sat up my easel at the corner of the sidewalk, I realize I had brought no turps to thin my paint. I lifted a tip to the porter of a nearby fancy hotel and after a while he got me some stain remover from the hotel storage. Sorry, I have to 'stain' the canvas not clean it! Wait -- he said, and 20 minuts later he brought me some kind of detergent. Never mind -- at least I can clean my brushes! Thanks for the good will.

 

Love all the ancient names of 2000 years old city: Palazzo Carafa (ex Monastero delle Paoline, right flags) and the Palazzo di Giustizia (left). In the background the Chiesa del Gesù or Chiesa del Buon Consiglio

 

Oil on Linen | 16 x 26 cms (6,4" x 10,4")

How to Buy it Now | Comment and Share | Bid at the Auction

[http://www.francescofontana.com]

American Dream - The return of the buffalo

And the winner is Stefano Zagaglia! with 'Revenge' -- oil on canvas 40 x 80 cms (15 x 30 inc).
Visitors of the show American Dream scored this painting as best of the group exhibit that closed yesterday at Spazio Fare Pittura, Milan, Italy.

I believe Stefano combined a strong concept with a technical execution of a professional level, perfectly functional to the meaning behind the idea. Stefano's approach to the subject, takes life from his love for the wild animal world -- proven by his frequent travels to Africa (where I suspect he's at this very moment) and the larger series in progress I had the chance to preview. The result of this 'wild life' viewpoint is an original way to question America's history.

Bravo! Stefano is rewarded with a plein air alumimium easel and is offered a solo show in 2013.

PS. What a better soundtrack than this wonderful tune

Crow has brought the message
to the children of the sun
for the return of the buffalo
and for a better day to come
[...]

Ghost Dance by Robbie Robertson -- Music for the Native Americans © 1994

[www.francescofontana.com]

The American Dream from an European viewpoint

The show just closed with a best of show prize

(C) Francesco Fontana 'Flags' -- Oil on Linen The painting shown here is the icon of the group show American Dream that is closing today here in Milan, Italy.  The theme was given to the students of my school of painting alla prima FarePittura as an essay of the prep of a professional show. It was also an assignment to question themselves about developing their own message and vision, as artists to be. They engaged with the history and influence of American culture, from an European point of view, and offered a variety of interesting solutions. While you're reading this, we are appointing the visitors best of show (called Premio Mano d'Opera) rewarded with the prize of a plein air aluminium easel. The show opened last Sept 13. My article as a curator can be translated here from Italian. Stay tuned and talk to me! Live in Painting : ) Francesco Fontana www.francesocfontana.com PS. The painting above is 'Flags' (details) a work of mine that happily sold during the show. I know that business kept me away from you for a while, so next week I'll start a daily newsletter. A painting a day from my recent plein air and studio work, will be featured for you to enjoy, share, comment and purchase if available. Often but less frequently you'll receive updates about my upcoming workshops in Italy, France and beyond.  If you think that will be too much information in your mailbox, please let me know your preferences. If you feel like Basta!feel free to cancel here.