Since I last wrote I completed another portrait and since then have been working on two series of paintings. I quite like having a few paintings to do with a similar theme as it is a good feeling to have a plan.

I bought 5 square canvases earlier this year in my friend , maria grazia tarulli’s shop in Bernalda. They had been sitting on a shelf  in the studio and when I was looking for something to do I saw them. They are 30cms by 30cms and have deep sides so they don’t need frames.

Then I found several photos which suited a square format , a seascape- I had been to the beach and I like painting the sea,  a view of my street- my favourite subject, Pisticci at night- a bit of a challenge,  flowers from mylittle garden- because I have never done a close up of flowers before and finally I just happened to notice a gorgeous photo of a friend’s baby on facebook and it was her birthday coming up.

It was fun and I am pleased with them all. I plan to sell them for 50 euros each.

I am writing this because I am curious about how artists chose what they will paint and what inspires them.

My next inspiration came from Twitter  #skymarch.  I found several canvases of various sizes and looked for recent photos including skies and set to work. I am not very comfortable painting anything but bright blue skies (bright blue skies are what is most normal here) so I picked  some cloudy scenes, some mist and a rainy day.

I think it looks like I like a challenge…….but not too much.

This week I am altering one of the washboards so that they all include local churches and have a vague plan for two large paintings of Pisticci…… but at the same time I would like to finish my 50 people from pisticci project and display it by Easter. Its really nice to be busy.

(the portrait of the couple and baby is one of my favourites of all time.)