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

Paint in the Monet Gardens and by the Lily Pond

III Workshop in Giverny, France

In Italian Mon 3-7 Fri Agosto 2015

In English Mon 10-14 Fri August 2015

Inquiry 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 third time because the atmosphere is so magical to say the least, and left an unerasable mark in all of us. You can add extra days to your vacation, prior and after Giverny. The group meeting point will be in Paris at Gare Saint Lazare where the train leaves to Vernon, nearest station to Giverny. Here Francesco will welcome you in person.

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.

We will not guide your visit of Paris, but will provide some precious tips you’ll find in the Planner attached. I will also connect you with other participants who wish to share the Parisian experience. I know Paris very well so feel free to ask for insights.

Welcome to Giverny

Once you arrive the Vernon station, a reserved group taxi and a car for luggages will pick you up for the hotel. The same day a visit to the house and gardens of Monet is scheduled. Followed by a ice breaking drink and a good dinner.

The following mornings we’ll be painting in the hotel garden. Then will return to Monet’s the next four afternoons, with a private pass to paint in the property without the presence of tourists. These sessions have no structured instruction, just some advise and great deal of inspiration from the golden hours of the day!

Watercolor Workshop

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

Sign up now

To get help you can email Francesco at workshops@francescofontana.com

Inquiry here

© Francesco Fontana 2015 Documento aggiornato il 21 gennaio 2015

Join me at Painters' Woodstock and Save $100

I am so excited and honored to know I will be part of the faculty of 4th Plein Air Convention and Expo, the Woodstock of plein air painting, taking place in Monterey, California next April 2015.  I've been invited to offer demos on the watercolor stage. This invitation is a great honor. The Convention only invites top quality artists and its stage is the daydream of hundreds of American and International painters. As the only European presenter to date, I feel the thrill and responsibility of it all!

New details come out almost daily. Make sure you are signed up to my Newsletter to stay up to date. This also qualifies you for a $ 100 off your registration fee, should you decide to attend the Convention. Which I warmly recommend you! In the next news I'll tell you the many reasons why you cannot miss this amazing event!

Sign up to my Newsletter Now!

www.francescofontana.com

All You Need to Meet the Artist

Here you have all the links to images, videos, credits and events about the art and business of Francesco Fontana

Order Now my DVD Watercolor the Italian Way!

Main Events and Credits

​

• Dallas, TX, USA Watercolor Workshop for Southwest Watercolor Society, April 2022 
• Article on American Watercolor Weekly (Mountain M) April 2020

2019

• Feautured on The Artist Magazine, #1Uk Magazine, London, Jan 2019
• Feautured on Plein Air Magazine,  USA, March 2019 
• Fabriano in Acquerello International Festival, Invited in Italy's 20 Representative Masters, April 2019
• Exhibiting at Galleria Labor Limae, Torino, Italy, May 2019
• Palermo, Sicily w/c Workshop 22 – 27 May, 2019
• Valencia, Spain, w/c Workshop, July 2 — 9, 2019
• Giverny, France w/c Workshop 22 — 27 July, 2019
• Philadelphia, PA, USA Exhibition at PWS 40th International Juried Show 31 Aug - 26 Oct, 2019
• San Pedro, CA USA Exhibition at NWS 99th International Juried Show 3 Oct - 17 Nov, 2019 
• Don Demer's presentation on excelence at San Angelo Museum of Fine Art, Oct 2019 (Video)​

2018

• Article on American Watercolor Weekly, Feb 2018
• Galleries on The Cyber Art Show, March 2018
• Demo Article for Daniel Smith Fine Art Supplies, June 2018
• Workshop in Sidmouth, East Devon, UK, June 2018
• Winner 1st Place, Monreale Sicily Plein Air Festival, Sept 2018
• Workshop in Valencia, Spain, 8 - 12 Oct 2018
• Exhibiting Solo Show at La Comune, Milano, Oct / Nov 2018
• Exhibiting Finalist at the International Watercolor Prize, Cagliari, Galleria Esdé, Nov 2018
• Feature on The Art of Watercolour, world #1 watercolor magazine, Paris, Dec 2018
• Paintings as Interior Design on the Prime Time RAI 1 Series 'La Compagnia del Cigno' 

2017

• Exhibiting at City of Bengigamin, Valencia, Spain, International Show, Jan 2017
• Exhibiting at Jack Meier Gallery, Houston, TX, USA, Feb 2017
• Exhibiting at Bankside Gallery, London, UK for Royal Watercolor Society, March 2017
• Winner, The Joe Carmichael Award at National Watercolor Society, June 10, 2017 San Pedro, CA
• Winner Best Overall Watercolor, Plein Air Salon July 2017 (The Shop Window)
• Featured in Fine Ar Connoisseur Magazine, Nocturne - Aug Sept 2017
• Workshop in Valencia, Spain, Watercolor in One Stroke, 10 - 16 Sept 2017
• Workshop in East Devon, UK, Watercolor in One Stroke 4, 5, 6 Oct 2017
• Exhibiting at Mall Galleries, London, UK with Royal Society of Marine Artists, 4 - 15 Oct 2017
• Featured Artist at En Plein Air Festival, San Angelo, TX, USA, 22 - 29 Oct 2017
• Featured in Fine Ar Connoisseur Magazine, Industrial - Nov Dec 2017
• Watercolor Workshop ‘Alla Seconda’, Padova, Italy 10, 11 December 2017

2016

• Feautured Artist at Lighthouse Plein Air Festival, Jupiter, Florida 9 — 13 March, 2016
• DVD Release ‘Watercolor the Italian Way — Alla Seconda Method’ — 15 April 2016
• Faculty at 5th Plein Air Convention & Expo, Tucson, AZ 15 — 19 April 2016
• Exhibiting in Fabriano, Italy – International Watercolor Festival, April 2015
• Workshop in Giverny, France, by Monet’s Lily Pond, June 27 —July 2, 2016
• Invited Artist at Premio Marche d’Acqua - Permanent Oeuvre at Museo della Carta, Fabriano
• 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
• Top 15% in the Bold Brush Painting Competition, Nov 2016 (The Installation)
• Winner Art Muse Contest, Master Class Prize, Nov 2016 (The Art Lover)

Newsletter Subscription: http://eepurl.com/gN_mJH

Website www.francescofontana.com
Paintings Quick Gallery on FB

Blog http://francescofontana.blogspot.it

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/francesco.fontana.5203

Twitter https://twitter.com/Fontasco

Video:

Biography: http://vimeo.com/100711179

Workshops: http://vimeo.com/101597256

Oil painting demo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QVv8x3MCF4M

Watercolor demo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j31ymS8aB2Q

Mail contact

Francesco Fontana Fine Artist

Alexandria VA, USA 20124

Via della Capinera 5 — Milano, Italy 20147

Cell +39 3381328003

info@francescofontana.com

Giverny. Story of a Master's Garden

Look where I will take you to paint this summer. A great video about Claude Monet garden in Giverny Monet Garden by James Priest