pecore al pascolo (Sheep Grazing) Tusa, Sicily, Italy Painting

My family origin seems to trace a dusty path to Palermo, Sicily. Knowing southern Italy was my paternal heritage I was thrilled to receive an art residency with Officina Stamperia del Notaio, a beautiful residency in the medieval village of Tusa, Sicily. I began my residency exploring family heritage and the result was a series of works based on each generation supporting the next; le case (the houses) are stacked, one upon another, and le mucche (the cows) symbolize fertility and the tending of the land, culture and family. Cows in Sicily are used to fertilize the olive groves after the October harvest. Burning the fields, the planting of fava beans for nitrogen, and the introduction of cows to graze and grace the land all aid in healthy soil for future generations. I was also drawn to the beautiful mountainous landscape of Sicily. The summer heat created a palette of neutral earth tones across the land and the sun's harsh rays brought a haze across the sky. In contrast to this pale palette of color was the bright and fresh Sea of Torino at Castel di Tusa. I created a series of large scale works with bright blues and reds and oranges to celebrate this intense contrast to the land. ​ Lastly, I finished my stay with natura morta, still life painting. The imbuti- the rusted funnels found in la mia casa, represent for me the "Sicilian Life". L'olio d'oliva, il vino, il tavolo, la famiglia. The olive oil, the wine, the table, the family - a richness of relationships, culture, and history found in these lovely little villages and this simple domestic tool.