When we first moved to Connecticut, I became fascinated by the multitude of charming red barns scattered across the state. I understand the red barn craze abounds throughout all of New England. But why red? There are many theories: One simple theory is that the red barns made it easy for the cows to find their way home. Another theory claims that early American farmers began blending the traditional mixture of linseed oil, limestone, and milk with ferrous oxide, or rust. This abundant additive protected their barns from moss and fungi, while also turning the crude sealant a rich red color. The most gruesome theory claims that these farmers used the blood from a fresh slaughter rather than rust. Gross! I think I prefer the cow theory.
A few years ago, I painted this barn in the spring before the flowers had a chance to bloom. I always thought the painting lacked “life.” So in this painting, I “planted” my own flowers.
Giclee prints from greeting card size to poster size are available at:
“The story trips along without a lull, and the stakes keep getting raised.”
Mille grazie to Anna Erikssön Bendewald for taking the time to write such a lovely review.
“I downloaded Bridge of Sighs and Dreams onto my Kindle and thought I’d read a chapter or two to kill some time before some afternoon and evening plans. I didn’t stop reading until early the next morning, and I loved every minute of this story! I bought the book on the recommendation of a friend, and while I’m not a fan of the war genre, this is what the genre should be in my opinion. The love story of Angelina and Pietro plays out against the backdrop of Italy during World War 2 and while the politics, nations, oppressors, and occupiers could get confusing, the real events act almost as a character whose whims and outbursts turn the plot and reactions of the rest of the characters we come to really care about very quickly.
The story trips along (hence my inability to put the Kindle down) without a lull, and the stakes keep getting raised. “We’ve come this far…we have to keep going…” was the spirit which felt quite fresh in today’s world. I LOVE this book and recommend it highly!!!”
BRIDGE OF SIGHS AND DREAMS is available for purchase in paperback and eBook at: AMAZON:
Pedro has been serenading outside Rita’s window for hours. She’s playing coy, but in reality, she loves the attention. Their hopes and dreams are as genuine and meaningful as yours and mine. Happy Cinco de Mayo to all of my friends and family who enjoy the rich Mexican heritage.
My Mom is no longer with me on this earth, but she is always in my heart. These flowers are for her. I wanted to paint bright bold colors, happy, joyful colors, not pastel, sappy colors. No leaves, no frills, no sad pansy faces.
HAPPY MAY DAY!
Mia Mamma non sta ancora con me sulla terra, pero`, sta sempre nel mio cuore. Volevo dipingere le viole del pensiero perchè sono fiori di gioia.
Today is one of Italy’s most celebrated holidays: Festa della Liberazione (Liberation Day Celebration). It marks the fall of Mussolini’s Italian Social Republic and the end of the Nazi occupation in Italy in 1945. This date also commemorates the courageous partigiani whose support was essential to the victory.
Ricorre oggi il 76° anniversario della Liberazione d’Italia dal nazifascismo. Questa giornata importante ricorda anche i coraggiosi partigiani il cui sostegno è stato fondamentale per la vittoria.
Buon 25 Aprile a tutti gli italiani.
For a deeper insight into life in Nazi-occupied Italy, I invite you to read my novel: Bridge of Sighs and Dreams, on sale on Amazon worldwide and other
Something magical happens at sunset in Italy’sTuscan hills. It’s as though King Midas reaches out from the great beyond and does his: “touch thing,”turning everything into rich golden hues.
This painting TUSCAN GOLD 1 is all about atmosphere and mood rather than reality.
In celebration of EARTH DAY, I thought I would post my painting of FALL IN NEW ENGLAND.I know it’s Springtime now, but my feeble attempts at landscape painting are limited, and I wanted to post something appropriate to celebrate EARTH DAY.
Cheers to Mother Earth for bestowing us with this awesome vista. I hope I did it a semblance of justice. Mother Earth provided us with clean water to drink, pure air to breathe, and non-polluted crops to eat. All She asks in return is that we take care of these gifts and keep them that way.
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?
HAPPY EARTH DAY!!!
The original acrylic on canvas has been sold, but quality Giclee prints are available at:
“Ashes to Ashes, Diamonds to Dust is a clever and captivating mystery set in Venice with plenty of twists and turns. Carla Romano, a modern-girl heroine, meets the challenge that comes her way with a sense of humor while surrounded by colorful characters that come to life in picturesque detail. The reader is left wondering ‘whodunit’ to the very end, a fun mystery that doesn’t disappoint!”
Thank you so much author Cynthia Ripley Miller for writing such a lovely review. Approval from an author that I highly admire is especially rewarding. Best wishes to you.
Yes, there really is such a day, and it’s today, the 88th day of the year. I decided that it’s the perfect day to “air out” PIANO MAN. The last time PIANO MAN took center stage, I had a contest to name the tune on his tie. David Lane was the winner. The tune: “When The Saints Go Marching In.”
Happy WORLD PIANO DAY! Turn off the news and tune in to some jazz, blues, rock, classical, or whatever music catches your fancy, as long as it includes the piano.
I know, it’s a boring title. But at the time when I did this painting, I was bored. I took an artist’s still life workshop, and to my dismay, the subject was a boring, colorless vase with faded pink flowers and a pastel blue/grey background. Well, I did give it a try, but I kept falling asleep. For me, flowers are the quintessential symbol of life. This particular still life set up was way too funeral parlor for me. So in order to complete the workshop, I tossed out those pathetic pale flowers, pitched the colorless vase, and punched up the background. Red And Orange Flowers is the result. Go bold or go home!
Oggi in italia, ci festeggiamo la Festa del Papà. È la Festa diSan Giuseppe, per chi si chiede come sia nata questa giornata particolare agli italiani.
Pertanto, mando il mio amore nell’universo e spero che raggiunga mio caro papà.
“FATHER’S DAY”
Today in Italy, we celebrate Father’s Day. It is the Feast Day of Saint Joseph, for those who are wondering how the Italians came up with this particular day.
Therefore, I send my love out into the universe and hope it reaches my sweet Dad.
Being in “lock-down” means that we have lots of time to catch up on our reading. What better day to add to your book collection than today, WORLD BOOK DAY. Amazon is doing its weird limited time, book discount scan, and it is listing the paperback version of ASHES TO ASHES, DIAMONDS TO DUST at$13.39. That’s a savings of $7.56, which is almost enough to buy a cheap bottle of Chianti to drink while you read.ASHES TO ASHES, DIAMONDS TO DUST is available in ebook and paperback versions at all online bookstores worldwide.
Nazi-occupied Rome sets the stage for BRIDGE OF SIGHS AND DREAMS, where the lives of two women collide in an arena of deception, greed, and sacrifice.
BRIDGE OF SIGHS AND DREAMS is available in ebook and paperback versions at all online bookstores.
Certainly, one month isn’t nearly enough time to celebrate all of the amazing women who, throughout the centuries, have made significant contributions to the betterment of society around the world. However, it’s a start.
1000 thanks to FINEARTAMERICA for voting this painting to the “Special Features Gallery.” I am honored to have my work alongside such gifted artists.
In “TUSCAN FARMHOUSE AT SUNSET,” I wanted to pay homage to the Italian farmers who, for hundreds of centuries, from sunup to sundown, have tended their land with a deep love and respect.
Certamente, un mese non è mica tempo sufficiente celebrare tutte le donne straordinarie che, nel corso dei secoli, hanno dato un contributo significativo al miglioramente della società in tutto il mondo. Però, è un inizio.
In questo quadro volevo rendere omaggio agli agricoltori italiani che per centinaia di secoli, dall’alba al tramonto, hanno coltivato la loro terra con un profondo amore e rispetto.
Il quadro originale è stato venduto, pero`, sono disponibili le stampe di alta qualità qui:
Although my WW2 novel BRIDGE OF SIGHS AND DREAMS is fiction, It is based on real events. I felt compelled to write a war novel in which the women don’t play the role of wallpaper or objects of amusement to soldiers and politicians. The women in BRIDGE OF SIGHS AND DREAMS take center stage in a behind-the-lines battle between good and evil.
“In Nazi-occupied Rome, the lives of two women collide in an arena of deception, greed, and sacrifice. While political cartoonist Angelina Rosini zigzags through a labyrinth of compassionate allies and cunning spies, Lidia Corsini quenches her greed by turning in Jews to the Nazis. Lidia’s spiral into immorality accelerates as swiftly as the Jewish population dwindles and, soon, not even her husband, her son, nor Angelina are immune to her madness.”
BRIDGE OF SIGHS AND DREAMS is available in ebook and paperback versions at all online bookstores.
Venice sets the stage for ASHES TO ASHES, DIAMONDS TO DUST a diamond caper gone wrong, where everyone is someone else, and no one can be trusted.
During her Venetian trip to participate in an international art exhibition, Carla Romano brings along her deceased friend’s ashes. But is that all she has in her tote bag? The FBI, Venetian police, and a gaggle of misfits believe otherwise. Five-million-dollars in stolen diamonds are expected to be unloaded in Venice, and Carla is the suspected bag lady.
Slipping into designer shoes and donning her sleuth-in-training cap, Carla sets out in a city of secrets that everyone knows, to solve a diamond caper with more twists and turns than the Venetian labyrinth of narrow streets and canals.
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!
The original painting “ROMAN TABLE” has been sold, However, quality Giclee prints are available at:
Pamela Allegretto Artist/Author 
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