Since traveling back to Italy is still not an option, I’m keeping the dream alive. And what better day to celebrate Italia than today, NATIONAL DRINK WINE DAY! Works for me. Tanti Saluti!
Mille Grazie to my dearest friend, Nicolina Rinaldi, for reminding me of this special day. Tanti baci!
Amazon is offering the paperback edition of ASHES TO ASHES, DIAMONDS TO DUST for $6.33, down from $20.95. This is one of their random discounts, so I’m not sure how long it will be in effect. If you prefer a paperback edition and haven’t yet read the book, (Say what?!) here’s your opportunity to have a copy without breaking the bank. The Kindle edition remains at $2.99.
Yes, there is such a day. In this painting I wanted to conjure up the after-hours, basement blues and jazz clubs where musicians gather after their gigs to jam until daybreak.
“I found myself wanting to return as often as possible to Pamela Allegretto’s farcical mystery Ashes to Ashes, Diamonds to Dust. The slimy or sympathetic or comical characters came to life with their quirks and smells and distinct voices. What a bunch of oddballs! It was hard to know who was for real and who was in disguise, which provided much of the suspense and fun. I thought I had figured out parts of the mystery, but Allegretto kept me on my toes. This was an enjoyable, entertaining, and original read, highly recommended if you need an infusion of Venice and some laughs.”
No need to fret over containers sitting in a port.
Free Ground Shipping on all U.S. orders begin at 12:00 AM Eastern U.S. time Saturday (tomorrow), November 20th thru Sunday, November 21st at 11:59 Eastern U.S. time.
I hope you enjoy browsing through my eclectic gallery that ranges from bold trompe l’oeil “Views to Go,” thru animated Kid’s Art, to landscapes, tropical scenes, music themes, and sun-drenched Italian villages. I enjoy fusing whimsy with realism, and the variety in my style, medium, and subject reflects a Gemini nature that consistently prods me away from monotony. Cheers!!!
Today is International Saxophone Day. Yes, that’s really a “Day!”InternationalSaxophone Day is celebrated on November 6th of each year in remembrance of Antoine-Joseph (Adolphe) Sax, the inventor of the saxophone. Adolphe Sax was born on November 6, 1814 in Dinant in Wallonia, Belgium.
I am a huge jazz fan, and to me, the saxophone is one sexy sounding instrument, be it, soprano, tenor, alto, or baritone. Since Saxophone Day is November 6th, I thought I would list my 6 favorite Saxophone players. They are: Grover Washington Jr. / Julian (Cannonball) Adderley / Stan Getz / Sonny Rollins / John Coltrane / Charlie (Bird) Parker.
I know my saxophone isn’t “anatomically” correct. It’s not meant to be. I leave that to the “realist” painters. My sax, trumpet, and bass players are too into creating beautiful music together to worry about outward appearances. It would be wonderful if the whole world could be as understanding and supportive as musicians are with each other. Musicians don’t care about who lives where and what the politics are of any country. They don’t care about race or religion, lack of religion, or sexual orientation. Musicians care about each other as human beings with a shared love of music and artistic freedom.
There is no justification for children to go hungry in this country (or any country). But it’s happening every day, in every community. The USDA states that more than 11 million children in the United States live in “food insecure” homes.
It’s up to all of us to keep our food banks supplied. Let’s treat each other the way we would like to be treated. Don’t think it could never happen to you. But this is not the only reason to contribute food, do it because it’s the moral thing to do.
Read more about WORLD FOOD DAY and the Food and Agricultural Organizationof the United Nations online. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger and improve nutrition and food security. Its Latin motto, “fiat panis,” translates to “let there be bread.” It was founded in October 1945, and it’s headquarters are in Rome, Italy.
I titled this painting “VENETIAN TABLE” for 2 reasons: The bowl filled with onions made me think of Venice’s celebrated “fegato con cipolle” / “liver with onions,” and the difficulty I had painting the onions made me cry enough tears to fill the Grand Canal. Giclee prints from greeting card size to poster size are available at:https://fineartamerica.com/featured/1-venetian-table-pamela-allegretto.html
TAVOLO VENEZIANO: 46x36cm originale acrilico su tela coi lati dipinti di 2.5cm. Il titolo del quadro è “Tavolo Veneziano” / “Venetian Table.” Ho scritto il titolo così perchè m’ha fatto pensare del famoso “fegato con cipolle di Venezia.” Anche perchè è stato così difficile dipingere le cipolle che ho pianto abbastanza lacrime a fare il pieno il Canal Grande. opurre, si puo` comprarne dell stampe di gilcee al sito: https://fineartamerica.com/featured/1-venetian-table-pamela-allegretto.html
Venetian Table – Click on onions to enlarge image or to purchase giclee prints.
The Roman writer Pliny, a victim of Vesuvius, described the Campania countryside as “So blest with natural beauties and riches, it is clear that when nature formed it she took delight in accumulating all her blessings in a single spot.” Well, I’m not arguing with Pliny. Lucky me, my family is from the Campania Region.
The Campania Region boasts the best lemons for making Limoncello.Sicily competes for the same title. Even given my heritage, I have many Sicilian friends, so I’m not going to put myself on record by acknowledging a preference.
9”x12” Original watercolor and acrylic on 140 lb. Arches watercolor paper. Frame not included. Acquerello e acrilico originale dipinto sulla carta di 300g/m2. Senza cornice.
The original 9”x12” watercolor and acrylic painting is for sale. Contact me here for details, or visit my original art site at: pamelaallegretto-franz.com
Yesterday was the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi. We don’t have to be Christians or even religious to appreciate the life of St. Francis of Assisi. He cherished all of nature and creatures large and small. I mean, how can you not love someone who talked to animals and birds?
If you’re missing “mass gatherings” during these Covid days, take a tip from Saint Francisof Assisi and go feed the pigeons and squirrels in the park.
SAN FRANCESCO D’ASSISI
Non si dev’essere religioso apprezzare San Francesco d’Assisi. Lui ha amato tutta la natura e le creature grandi e piccole. Voglio dire, come non si puo` amare qualcuno che ha parlato con gli animali e gli uccelli?
Il quadro originale e` stato venduta, però, si può comprarne delle stampe di giclee a questo sito.
“Fabulous food, fine wine, fashion, and art set the table for this wonderful romp through the streets of Venezia. Besides being fast-paced and witty, the heart of this charming caper is its well-crafted mystery, which has more potential suspects and evil doers than you can shake an urn at. The whole madcap story begins with the death of Carla’s best friend and spirals out of control once Carla sets out to keep her promise of scattering Sara’s ashes in the Grand Canal in Venice, a place that has special significance for both women.
But there’s nothing simple about the pilgrimage Carla sets off on; before she can even deplane, trouble shows its ugly head, or in this case, its multiple ugly heads. It seems everywhere Carla goes, trouble and mortal danger follows. The cast of bad guys, shady characters, lunatics, and miscreants is large, assuring poor Carla doesn’t have a moment’s peace. It’s well-written and fun throughout, with never a dull moment. Truly enjoyable, and a perfect vacation/staycation read.”
Thank you Cynthia Hamilton so very much for taking the time to write such a lovely review. I appreciate your generosity and am thrilled that you enjoyed the read. Best wishes.
“The characters and story will remain with you long after you’ve read the final page.”
“What a bittersweet story. It shows the depths people will go to during a crisis: in this case, a war. Some cower in fear, others feed their greed, while the true heroes face calamities and strive to make the world (even if their own little corner of the world) a better place. I enjoyed learning about the Bridge of Sighs from a historical perspective. The characters and story will remain with you long after you’ve read the final page.”
My most sincere gratitude to Rebecca Carter for writing such a lovely review. Best wishes.
BRIDGE OF SIGHS AND DREAMS is available for purchase in paperback and eBook at:
The Festa del Redentore, one of the most important traditional events in Venice, commemorates the end of the plague of the 16th century. The annual celebration takes place during the weekend of the third Sunday of July.
Another reason to celebrate this week is Italy’s championship win at the European Soccer Games. Forze Azzurri!
Lastly, the great news that as of August 1, cruise ships will be banned from the Grand Canal in Venice! Finalmente!
“If you’re looking for a madcap caper, Ashes to Ashes, Diamonds to Dust is your jam!”
“A complete 180 from Pamela Allegretto’s first book. Both effortlessly whisk her reader to Italy and communicate what we’ll see, where we’ll walk, what we’ll eat, and how the locals sound as she spins out the story of her caper — in this case a diamond caper that may turn out to be Carla’s best friend Sarah’s funerary ashes that she snatches off the church altar and hurries to disperse them in Venice according to Sarah’s explicit wishes.
While Allegretto’s book Bridge of Sighs, Bridge of Dreams pressed on her readers heart with a bitter sweet power that kept us suspended in longing for a place / people wiped away by war — consider Ashes to Ashes, Diamonds to Dust as a palate cleanser!
For fans of the movie Clue or that madcap Mordacai (Johnny Depp, Gwenneth Paltrow, Ewan MacGregor) Carla encounters outrageous characters, danger at every turn (although in Venice it’s hard to tell), liars who are totally believable and even after being followed and drugged and burgled and the desirable Dario out of reach, she perseveres.
Bad boys, bad aunts, bad breath, hair styles that form question marks without dots, mustaches that boogie down, hit men, hit and run men, galleries, art, and jewels! Don’t forget the diamonds!”
“If you’re looking for a madcap caper, Ashes to Ashes, Diamonds to Dust is your jam!”
Thank you so much author Anna Erikssön Bendewald for writing such a lovely review. Approval from an author that I highly admire is especially rewarding.
June is PRIDE MONTH.My painting PRIDE BOUQUET celebrates all my friends and family in the LBGTQ community. I wanted my flowers to have a party on my canvas where everyone’s invited. Cheers to you all for being who you are. I love every one of you!
This PRIDE BOUQUET is my nod to the entire LGBTQ community.
We are one, all Mother Earth’s children. I still have hope that in my lifetime I will see everyone, despite their race, ethnicity, religion, lack of religion, economic situation, sexual orientation, etc., treated with dignity. How hard is it, really, just to treat people the way you want to be treated?
Pamela Allegretto Artist/Author 
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