Tuesday, December 2, 2014

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



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)
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Mail contact
Francesco Fontana Fine Artist
Alexandria VA, USA 20124
Via della Capinera 5 — Milano, Italy 20147
Cell +39 3381328003



Friday, March 14, 2014

The California Impressionists and Today Plein Air


It's very exciting for me to be preparing for California to attend the Plein Air Convention & Expo in Monterey. There I will also exhibit three paintings. Then my plan is to honor the beauty of the Carmel peninsula, staying three extra days to workshop in the area and paint in the stunning coastal natural reserve of Point Lobos.

Carmel California Plein air Painter
Mary Agnes Yerkes,
California Impressionist Painter, (1886–1989).
"Plein-Air painting at Carmel’’, Carmel Beach, CA, circa 1920s.
For an European like me, with a background in the French Impressionism and the Italian Macchiaioli, it's intriguing to engage with the nature and the southern bright light that inspired the Early California plein air impressionists.

A Bridge Across the Ocean

Ever since the early '900 the connection with Europe was very tight. Painter Guy Rose, studied in Paris and lived in Giverny 1904-1912, becoming friend and pupil of Claude Monet in person. A colony took home in Giverny and the Giverny Group was first recognized in the US with an exhibition at New York's Madison Gallery in 1910.

After a decline lasting three decades due to the rising of modernism and the Great depression, -- a revival of the California plein air impressionism, took up in the 70's. In 1978 curator Nancy Moure released a Dictionary of Art and Artists in Southern California Before 1930 and curated a retrospective exhibition for the Laguna Beach Museum.

Continuing a Glorious History

Now publisher and painter Eric Rhoads is the enthusiast and proud promoter of the 3d Plein Air Convention & Expo. With his Plein Air Magazine and many other activities, he highly contributes to build up an integrated art industry and favor the cohesion of the artists' community.

I'll fly a long way from old Europe to be part of this history and make it a valuable step in my career. Which I want to share with YOU! After the Convention, join me in Carmel to paint out in the week end 11 - 13 April. Just write to my email workshop@francescofontana.com to share a great time together!

Live in painting! Francesco

PS. If you're in this business but ain't a painter, write to my email workshop@francescofontana.com to arrange a meeting between 7 and 13 April to plan new projects across the pond!

Sunday, February 2, 2014

A Moveable Feast Through Impressionism

The Monet Tour in Paris & Giverny July 2014

A few days before we set our easels by the magical lily pond in Giverny, this unique Monet tour starts in Paris. Two major museums will show us the actual masterpieces that started the Impressionist movement and became an universal reference: Le Muesée Marmottan and l'Orangerie.

A repro of Impression Sunrise by Claude Monet
The first one displaying Impression du Soleil Levant, Impression of Rising Sun, from which the term Impressionism was first coined. At the Musee de L'Orangerie, a selection of giant paintings from the 250 that Monet painted of the water lilies in Giverny, awaits to be admired.

12 -- 19 July, 2014

I planned the dates carefully. The day before we head to Givenry, July 14, it's time to let it go in the greatest National French celebration: la Fete de la Republique. A true moveable feast going on till dawn, with music and dance all over the streets of Paris!


How can you resist such an invitation! Say yes today!

Live in painting! -- Francesco

PS. Since I announced the Monet Tour, I received more inquiries than expected, in just one week. No wonder for this is really an amazing experience -- I am the sole to offer.

People from overseas are busy making travel plans. So, I expect the only 8 spots I limited this group size, fill much ahead of booking deadline.

Request your spot now, first come first served. 

Monday, January 27, 2014

Monet Paris & Giverny Painting Holiday

Living The Spirit of Impressionism

Giverny is a tiny village about 75 km north of Paris, in Lower Normandy. Claude Monet, the father of Impressionism, lived in Giverny the last 30 years of his life.



Me painting in the Monet's garden, July 2013
There he built his mansion and designed in person a luscious flower garden and the lily pond. Later the lilies became the subject of a series of large paintings. These paintings – we can now admire at Musee de l'Orangerie in Paris -- become his most famous masterpieces, after Impression du Soleil Levant, which gave birth to the Impressionism and constitutes our legacy as painters.

Next July I'll have again the privilege to paint right along the lily pond in the colourful garden of my muse Monet. Believe me when I say you can feel his spirit and something enormously greater in the air as you paint in the quite late afternoon of Giverny. The sky becomes peach rose thru the trees and you can only hear the frogs splashing in the pond. We feel as witnesses and humble carriers of  his Art. We become aware and grateful for it seems he made all this to share his inspiration with us!


12 -- 19 July, 2014


The Japanese Bridge --
Watercolor 33 x 46 cm (c) Francesco Fontana
I’ll offer this 4 day workshop in Giverny – after a brief tour in Paris. Dry and water media are preferred -- but oil is welcome if you have a basic gear and painting know how outdoor. I pre-booked only 8 rooms at the hotel we stayed last year, just around the corner of Monet’s house. Are you going to miss this chance?

Be part of this memorable experience! Sign up now!. 

Wednesday, December 18, 2013

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

Sunday, March 10, 2013

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




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