A Story of Everyday Love

Why Art makes people so happy? ~

A couple of Sundays ago I was in my hood church to host the charity sale of 60 paintings that a local painter bequeathed. The exhibition is set up in the room right next to the altar where kids are babysitted during the mass. Here I meet Marco and Monica, middle-aged parishioners who help with the exhibition. He tells me about his amateur watercolorist father, she tells me about his talented mosaicist father, who disappeared mysteriously years back. Kind people, can't help but invite them for coffee in my studio a few days later. Love in little everyday things While chatting about the neighborhood, they browse trough my larger figurative paintings. They love at least a dozen of them but often return to the same piece. An image of a senior couple in the kitchen getting coffee. It's the portrait of Bill and Randy, who hosted me as invited artist at plein air Texas festival. Two sweet people, who collected at least two of my paintings. -- Marco says: See how in the painting she looks at him sweetly, while he pours the coffee into the cup for her. -- You can see that he takes care of her, who is probably a safe harbor for him for many regards -- replies Monica. I let them comment for a while. I could feel something is making its way into their hearts. I tell myself that this couple play in unison! Than I say: -- Do you know how this painting is called? Ordinary Love Ordinary Love ~ Watercolor by Francesco Fontana, 50 x 65 cm -- Yes, they reply -- that's exactly how we feel! This painting is the perfect representation of how we want to grow old together! We are overjoyed to purchase it! I smile to myself proud to have captured a moment so full of meaning for me, and apparently important for others too. They can totally identified with the subject. When this happens people's emotion and gratitude are gigantic. For me as an artist that is the greatest reward!  Now it's your turn You too can find the painting that resonates with your feelings in my Small Works Studio Sale 50% Off Black Week. This is valid only until Tuesday, Nov 21 at midnight PT. The discount is automatic and includes free shipping! Get your slice of love now! Don't feel guilty if you like a painting simply because it decorates your living room. This too is daily love! Choose your favorites now! Black Week Sale 50% Off Follow me on Instagram Sign up and get a Gift Share and have a friend subscribe Send Francesco an email

Art Against Cruelty

What artists can do in war times? ~

Writing frequent letters involves opening eyes and hears to find inspiration and ideas in the environment. And of course trying to cherry pick interesting topics for a conversation with art enthusiasts.

Pretending it's business as usual

Hold my Hand - Watercolor by Francesco Fontana

Today I feel a certain discomfort because what is going on in the world shake my soul to the core. It is impossible to ignore the atrocity of war, and pretend this is business as usual. I can't get used to human cruelty, I guess I am too naive to not be surprised to hear someone feels rewarded or have good reasons to inflict pain to others.

Universality of art

Artists are very sensitive to the human condition, but at the same time we are warned not to openly take a political standing. In same cases we don't want to upset segments of the public or customers. In the best cases it's because being partial seems to betray a sense of universality and connection with the condition of all humanity.

To me establishing who is wrong and who is right seems to be  mere speculation. My ethical position is simple: 

Anyone who attacks defenseless people is wrong. It doesn't matter it's an action or a reaction. Killing innocents is never justified.

I don't think I'm politically biased if I say that those who attack young people at a music festival and kill in cold blood more than 1,000 in their household, are dead wrong. And I don't think I'm being politically partial if I say that murdering thousands of civilians, including 3000 children as an unavoidable price to target terrorists, is not less wrong. More than wrong. These actions are mass crimes!

Life to resists death

People here seem trapped in their own daily business, and although they are hunched over their cell phones, they look like no one has told them thousands of people are dying. I don't want to think that it's just selfishness. Perhaps silence is a form of resistance, of emotional defense. Ultimately, not losing sight of the path of a constructive life can be our most powerful weapon, the life that does not recede in the face of death.

Grow the beauty that unites

As artists, between our ego trip and our sense of guilt, there is a third way. Feel responsible and honored to exalt, defend and propagate the expression of vitality in the world through our creativity. Insist with our artworks on the universal value of a deeper truth and beauty, cultivate a form of love that unites all people. We did it during the pandemic. Looks like our job is not over. 

Happy Art Life! -- Francesco

Learning Opportunities
Follow me on Instagram
Small Works New Selection

Send Francesco an email

The Mother of Invention

What's the secret of creativity? ~

When wearing seat belts in cars became mandatory in Italy, a stall appeared in Naples selling t-shirts with a black diagonal stripe printed on them. Don't we want to call them artists? They had a problem: heat in Naples and tickets from the cops, thus an idea was needed!  

Necessity sharpens ingenuity

This idea is not as simple as it sounds. Many novice and even expert painters think art is pure fun, and freedom of expression. However, self-expression does not take place without rules, because it does not trigger original solutions. 

In art, sport and business

Thinking of sports might help better understand. It is essential to work around the things you are forbidden to do. You can't touch the ball with your hands, not even unwillingly. Why do we consider Pelè or Maradona genius? Precisely because of their creativity, inventiveness, style and intuition in working out their way to the goal without using their hands. Oh my God,  Diego was actually accused to cheat a goal with his mano de Dios! Let's call it an exception

Challenge and divergent thinking

So in order to be creative, in art or business, we should make a set of obstacles and restrictions: what if i paint in 30 minutes? If I use only five forms? If I lay any color but the local one? If I paint with one eye closed? ... Result is unpredictable. And there lays the magic of creativity! 

This is a concept that an artist such as Larry Moore practice and shares in his What If University on Facebook  Larry reflects on this matter extensively and suggests some very intriguing challenges at times. 

Hope I was creative enough to inspire you within the limit of less than 360 words and 90 minute writing time. Please let me know your thoughts, I am likely to return on to this topic. 

Happy Art life! -- Francesco

PS. Some of this ideas are applied in my paintings. at the current Small Work Studio Sale