Summer 2018 Plein Air Watercolor Paintings Part 1

These watercolors are part of the paintings I have created during several fantastic trips in Europe and America this past summer.  They are all made on location and are available for your collection (some already gone to new homes!). They are of different size, price range from $300 to $900. Please drop me a line at info@francescofontana.com for a specific quote. 

Nino will come back -- Palermo, Sicily

Feet on the ground -- Puglia, Italy

Fish day at Rialto -- Venice, Italy

Let's call it a day (behind the fish market) -- Venice, Italy

Siesta time -- Polignano a Mare, Italy

Flying over Captree Beach -- Long Island, NY

View More Summer Paintings - Part 2

Writing a non-story

This newsletter is the result of a failure. This is not what I wrote yesterday. I spent hours writing something that sounded meaningful to me.

I began writing about what I am up to with my art, to then find myself face to a very sensitive subject. Issues and feelings that can affect many of us my same age, going to turn 60 this year. So it would be worth sharing them, even though not the ideal contents that pro marketers would suggest.

But I cannot review the text. Every time I try, I end up too emotional. I let the hours pass, but I still  fear going back to that copy. So this one your are reading now can easely be considered a non-story, or a poor informative message.

I guess I'll do better next time!

For now a feel the duty to let you know that I updated my website with a new selection of paintings. Each of them is accompanied by a short story. There you might find more inspiring and funny stories than this! Just click on the pics.

Thanks for reading, Francesco

PS. The page is Mid April Oil & Watercolor Show -- online just untill next Sunday, April 15, 2018, PST. Do not procrastinate your visit to https://www.francescofontana.com

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

Giverny, France Workshop in Monet's Paradise

New dates: now booking for 17 - 22 July 2017 

Sign up now 

A lifetime experience, right where Monet’s masterpieces were created

This Giverny experience is designed to learn and get inspired by the father of Impressionism Claude Monet. We’ll spend five days in Giverny, north of Paris, where Monet lived for 30 years. Here we’ll be painting in the village and in the gardens along the water lily pond the master had built. These are the real locations where Monet’s masterpieces were created. We are in love with this magical place, coming here for the fifth time. Get your post now, very limited space!

Get all the info now at workshops@francescofontana.com

More about the Monet's story

To prepare for the culture and spirit of Impressionism, you would want to visit two Paris museums: Le Musée Marmottan e l'Orangerie. The first one displaying Impression du Soleil Levant, (Impression of the Rising Sun), from which the term Impressionism was conied. At Musée de l'Orangerie you can admire a selection of giant paintings among the 250 that Monet painted of the lilies and the reflections on the waters of the Giverny pond. I will not guide your visit of Paris but you can ask for tips as I lived there. Get all the info now at workshops@francescofontana.com

Read my interview to Outdoor Painter

LOVE YOU PARIS!

Amnesia to protect heart from breaking

A year ago today I was given an interview to publisher Eric Rhoads for my DVD in Texas. A large part of the conversation was about my beginnings as an artist in the streets of Paris over 30 years earlier. The incredible thing is I did not remember anything about the events I had just heard about on my drive to the recording studio: the attacks at the Bataclan and at the Petit Cambodge (a restaurant I had dinner with family not long before).. I could remember details of my experience as a young artist, but my mind was completely blank about the many losses I had just know about. The day after I felt so ashamed for not mentioning that in the interview. And that I was short with my daughter on skype as she called me from overseas to remember that dinner, while I was filming my demo. Now I know amnesia is one of those mysterious ways we have to protect our heart from breaking apart..

Happy to have new friends!

* Door County Plein Air Festival: back from Wisconsin (and forth)

With Debra Joy Groesser, Jeff Merrill and Nancy Tankersley

I won't forget my week at Door County Plein Air Festival that easily. Stunning scenery, very friendly people, and lot of painting work on the field (July 24-30, 2016)

An amazing staff at ‪#‎dcpaf‬ made the machine work smoothly. Thank you Cathy, Kay, Tori, Ginny and the others for helping and smiling at all times!

I was excited to catch up with old artist friends. Let me remember Andre Lucero the zen man, Charlie Hunter the genius, the sweet Margi Lucena, happy face Debra Groesser, the adventurous Patrick Saunders and my watercolor buddy Andy Evansen! 

Happy to have new friends. Great to meet you: Mitch Baird, Brian Blood, Shawn Cornell, Valerie Craig, Mari Ann Davis, Tim Horn, Eric Jacobsen,  Mat Barber Kennedy, Laurie Kersey, John John, Patrick Lee, Jeff Merrill, Tom Nachreiner, Michael Obermeyer, Kathie Odom, John Poon, James Richards, Dave Santillanes, Brian Sindler, Carol Strock Wasson, Bill Suys, Nancy Tankersley and Dawn Whitelaw. So honored to be in the company of such extraordinary talented people and rockstars! I lernt a lot! 

A special thank to my new collector Kaaren, Steve, Martha and Bruce. So grateful for your appreciation. A big thank you my exquisite hosts Sue and Kurt (and their dog) for making me feel home in their wonderful property.

How can I forget Gina Ward who's always ready to give advice, ideas and help in my US venture (in addition to treat me good pizza!) 

And last but very first my strongest hug goes to the awesome Shelby Keefe, who opened here new house to me and my jetlag, days before the event. She showed me the artsy Milawaukee, introduced me to her friends, took care of me and made sure I had all the stuff I needed and even more, to make it to the festival. Shelby your friendship alone worth the trip from Italy! XXX 

Thank you all, including those I missed to mention. Wish you the very best in life and art and hope to see you soon again!

Francesco

PS Will be again in Wisconsin a the end of August. Check that out!

Please leave a comment and visit www.francescofontana.com

Back to Giverny, Workshop in Monet's Paradise

Now Booking for June 2017

Masterpieces were created here

This Giverny experience is designed to learn and get inspired by the father of Impressionism Claude Monet. We’ll spend five days in Giverny, north of Paris, where Monet lived for 30 years. Here we’ll be painting in the village and in the gardens along the water lily pond the master had built. These are the real locations where Monet’s masterpieces were created. We are coming here for the fourth time. You can add extra days to your vacation, prior and after Giverny. 

The Monet’s Paris

To prepare for the culture and spirit of Impressionism, you would want to visit two Paris museums: Le Musée Marmottan e l'Orangerie. The first one displaying Impression du Soleil Levant, (Impression of the Rising Sun), from which the term Impressionism was conied. At Musée de l'Orangerie you can admire a selection of giant paintings among the 250 that Monet painted of the lilies and the reflections on the waters of the Giverny pond.
I will not guide your visit of Paris but you can ask for tips as I lived there. I will connect you with other participants who wish to share the Parisian experience. Welcome in Giverny

Read my interview to Outdoor Painter

Once you arrive the Vernon station, a group taxi can be shared. The same day a visit to the house and gardens of Monet is scheduled. Followed by a ice breaking drink and a good dinner.

Write now to workshops@francescofontana.com

The following mornings the class will be hold in the hotel garden. Then will return to Monet’s the next four afternoons, with a private pass to paint in the property after tourist hours. These sessions have no structured instruction, just some advise and great deal of inspiration from the golden light of the day!

Watercolor Workshop

Watercolor is the official media and beginners are welcome. Oil or acrylic are allowed for outdoor experienced painters only. Instruction is mainly based on demos. Francesco will be available for individual advise. An open feedback will take place on the last day, followed by a farewell dinner. On departure day a bus is available or a taxi can be scheduled to Vernon station for Paris, or directly to the airport.

A detailed day schedule will follow after signing up.

Write now to workshops@francescofontana.com

2016 Upcoming Events

    • Feautured Artist at Lighthouse Plein Air Festival, Jupiter, Florida 9 — 13 March, 2016

    • DVD Release  & Faculty at 5th Plein Air Convention & Expo, Tucson, AZ 15 — 19 April 2016

    • Exhibiting in Fabriano, Italy – International Watercolor Society Festival, April 2015

    • Featured Artist at Door County Plein Air Festival, WI, Fish Creek 24 — 30 July 2016

    • Workshop Instructor at MISA Madeline Island School of Arts, WI, 29 Aug— 2 Sep 2016

    • Extended Article on Watercolor Painting Process on The Artist Magazine, UK Sept 2016

    • Judge and Instructor at Watercolor Society of Oregon Conference, 7 — 14 October 2016

 

See Recent Past Events & More Credits