shhh.. important research in progress



Following on from his duties as Artistic Director, Chocky has now taken on a very serious research role.

Spending much of his day pawing through copious amounts of literature hoping to grasp and gain a fuller understanding of colour and fundamentals of colour theory.


Using the internet assisting him in his quest to becoming an expert in this field unprecedented by any of his kind, Chocky is one determined little guy and nobody is going to stand in his way.


All this, and spending hours on end watching back to back YouTube videos on How To Paint in Watercolour - this one is his personal favourite!


I'm having great difficulties getting in any computer time, trusting you understand and my sincere apologies for tardy replies to comments here and to emails, also with visiting blogs.

respectfully,
perugina





urn
the ecstasy & the agony


pencil sketch


14 x 21cm


_________________


started whilst having lunch in the Tuscan inspired grounds of Flower Power Garden Centre.


this caffe makes the best risotto ai funghi, had to take care not to get the rice grains all over my sketch pad.































completed
friday 4 september, 2009



perugina art © 2009 patricia vannucci
dendrobium
orchid

watercolour on arches
300 gsm cp fine

21 x 39 cm

________________________

inspired by photo
Dendrobium lineale 'Morobe Shower'
Craig Scott-Harden



i'm a huge fan of the orchid species, owing much of my collection to the generosity of my dear friend Graeme Banks.

Graeme along with his son David Banks, are orchid growers and run Hills District Orchids in Sydney. He makes sure that i am never without the Australian Orchid Review magazine, sending me a copy hot off the press as his son David is the current editor. Every edition of this magazine contains many interesting articles & pictures promoting these incredibly beautiful flowers.
Thank you Graeme, i hope that i may contribute, if only in small part, to the charity close to your heart Retina Australia for your generosity and more importantly for your continued friendship and support since coming to know you. perugina



painted in watercolour group
thursday 27th august, 2009



perugina art © 2009 patricia vannucci







it wasn't me

my boy Chocky
quick pencil sketch

30 x 20 cm

_____________________
wednesday 26th august, 2009
10.20 pm


The Burmese Breed Profile from The Cat Fanciers’ Association website states..

“Burmese have large, expressive eyes that are great pools of innocence and seductive appeal, irresistible in effect. These eyes are their most persuasive weapon in an arsenal of endearing traits that mask an awesome power to hypnotize their owners into life-time love affairs through which they effortlessly rule their families.”

They got that right!




perugina art © 2009 patricia vannucci

G D A E
notes on a violin


watercolour on arches
300gsm cp fine


38 x 29 cm

________________________



watercolour blooms are not accepted by everyone, personally i really love them!
to me it is what really screams 'watercolour'!

i am thinking of painting a larger version of this where i can really let loose on those washes, colour interactions and encourage even more blooms, backruns and drips.

i've been hoarding some 640 gsm arches paper.. perhaps this is the time to rip open the wrap on this beautiful paper.


painted 19th august, 2009


perugina art © 2009 patricia vannucci





feather dance

watercolour on arches
300 gsm cp fine

28 x 38 cm
leave me a feather
resting in my palm
so light bearing no weight
yet heavy on my heart
fly, fly through cloudless sky
like notes on endless lines
accompanied by top notes that sing
soul which in middle lies
allowed to dance freely
here in is the joy
here in is to love
________
watercolour with no preliminary drawing & poem inspired by the beautiful music of
A Solo Piano Odyssey

Thank you Jo for your kind thoughts on my piano rendition of your Planet Earth!
Also your feedback on my poem inspired by your beautiful music
The Feather Dance
____________________________



words © 2009 patricia vannucci
written using mobile phone text messaging
painted 18th august, 2009


perugina art © 2009 patricia vannucci








getting to know you

loose pencil sketch

29 x 40 cm

______________________


my violin before the fine tuners were taken off the G and D strings by my teacher who i affectionately and respectfully call maestro!

after a lengthy practice session, sat down and spent some time making a loose pencil sketch, it looks askew as a result of having the instrument sitting to my left side instead of having it directly out in front as most would when drawing. Not that this bothers me much, however as the violin is an instrument of great symmetrical beauty i have committed a ‘crime’ to the luthiers craft, my sincere apologies, i am after all ‘getting to know you’ the instrument that is.


wednesday 12th august, 2009

perugina art © 2009 patricia vannucci






senza foglie
without leaves

watercolour & gouache
on arches 300 gsm cp


36 x 56 cm


_____________________


being winter in the southern hemisphere at present, this was inspired by the deciduous trees about the place which lay dormant and are senza foglie – which is Italian for without leaves.

using masking fluid to leave the bare branches of the trees in negative so it left me free to play around with a wash of indigo blue, antwerp blue & permanent crimson, was just the ticket to ease my journey back into painting and reconnecting with watercolour.

i was not after a perfect wash and i really like to create cauliflowers, they fascinate me and i stand there captivated as they happen.

the moon was then added in before rubbing back the masking fluid to reveal the effect.

i’m not sure whether to call this a treescape or landscape nevertheless it was just an experimental exercise which i kept simple so as to get me going in a positive direction whilst utilizing a negative effect.

painted in watercolour group
13th august, 2009


perugina art © 2009 patricia vannucci

make me cry

preliminary work
watercolour & gouache

on arches 300gsm cp

38 x 50 cm


inspired by the large full moon of
Saturday 8th august 2009




painted tuesday 11th august, 2009
perugina art © 2009 patricia vannucci
words © 2009 patricia vannucci


____________________________


After a long break from painting, the weekend finally saw me bring brush to paper.

i feel i have lost that connection with the fluidity of watercolour and so was overwhelmed with thoughts of starting.

i have also been without my computer for the last month as it had a major meltdown and needed hard drive replacement, so i am feeling overwhelmed on many fronts!

my apologies to you all for my long silence, hoping and trust you understand, it may take me a while to catch up with everything and to come around to see what you have been doing.

looking forward to your continued support, it is very much appreciated.
perugina
i have taken a prolonged break from painting as you all know.. i have engaged in some writing and also a little photography during this time which has sustained my creativity as well as returning to playing some music namely my piano.

To L.. thank you for your encouragement and for suggesting that i post this here in Perugina Art.

_________
Thank You

People come into your life for a reason..

They are sent to you
not because you WANT them..

They come into your life


because you NEED them..

to help you
to leave you
to hurt you
to love you

to make you into the person you are meant to be

to make you strong
when you are weak

to help you up
when you are down

to help you shine
even in the darkest place

to protect you
when you are most vulnerable
to walk with you
when you are alone

to help fix you
when you are broken

thank you for coming into my life
thank you for helping me to become
the person i am
i am a better person
for having known you

to those who have..
walked with me
held my hand
laughed with me
wiped my tears
walked away from me
stayed with me near
thank you for coming into my life
thank you for helping me to become
the person i am
i am a better person
for having known you

to those who have..
helped me up
walked on by
stopped to listen
that did not hear
took some time
to lend an ear
opened their door
closed their heart
thank you for coming into my life
thank you for helping me to become
the person i am
i am a better person
for having known you

to those who have..
been there forever
for only a moment
held my heart
smashed my spirit
taught me to believe
dismissed my dreams
thank you for coming into my life
thank you for helping me to become
the person i am
i am a better person
for having known you

to those who have..
reached out
turned their back
stopped to speak
kissed my lips
slapped my face
invited me to sit
offered no drink
despised me
loved me
thank you for coming into my life
thank you for helping me to become
the person i am
i am a better person
for having known you

to those who have..
touched my life
in any way
hear me
for I thank you now

to those who are still to come
i bid you welcome
help me to become
the person i will be
for i will be a better person
for having known you
con gratitudine
sempre dal cuore
perugina
'sea of passion'
self portrait
if drowning in kisses means resurfacing in a sea of passion
then i want to drown
perugina photography © 2009 patricia vannucci
words © 2009 patricia vannucci
creative direction patricia vannucci
NEWS!!
Prime Minister of Australia Kevin Rudd visits Bankstown Arts Centre
_____________________________
On Thursday May 7, 2009, PM Kevin Rudd popped in to the Arts Centre in Bankstown where the Bankstown Art Society has its home, gallery and studio spaces.

Our humble little 'watercolour group' who get together each week to paint and share in our love of art along with our tutor Norma was going to get a visit from the PM.. huh? - yeah right!!!
Are you serious?!

You can imagine the surprise... For obvious security reasons these visits are not usually announced in advance.

PM Kevin Rudd's visit, which included a brief tour of the Bankstown Arts Centre in Sydney, was to announce $3.15 million in funding to go towards the redevelopment of the centre.
This along with plans to foster the Arts in the area, will go a long way to improving this facility. Bankstown Art Society and its members i'm sure are all delighted by this announcement as they have known about this redevelopment project for some time, perhaps Bankstown City Council will announce a date for this work and proposals to commence in the not to distant future!

i did not attend on Thursday as i was unwell, however i was so so happy to have shared in this news when Norma called me yesterday. Talking with her at length and sharing in her excitement, it was as if i was there myself!!!

Thank you Norma for calling with this great news! You should probably count your blessings i wasn't there actually.. may have asked the PM some embarrassing questions like.. um.. "What hair products do you use to get that shine?" :) You know i am messin' with you! ;)

You can view the pictures HERE

no 2

'sempre dal cuore'
always from the heart

perugina photography © 2009 patricia vannucci
words © 2009 patricia vannucci


i am missing everyone here that do the blog rounds and those of you in the bubble.
Just letting you all know that i think of you all often and i try and pop in from time to time and that you are not forgotten.

so quickly i want to thank you all dal cuore - from the heart for leaving those wonderful words of support and comfort on my last entry here, your thoughts helped me at the time i made this decision and continue to help me tremendously.
finding myself among creative souls i know you all understand the need for taking a break.

although i have not picked up a brush since making my decision to take some time to recuperate and rest, my creative expression it seems will not be quieted, how can it be when it is part of your soul and what it is you do comes from and is felt in the heart, so during this time when energy has permitted, i have engaged in a little writing and dabbled with some photography.

i will eventually get around to those tardy replies, i hope and trust you all understand this also.

sempre dal cuore
always from the heart

things that are felt in the heart
and that are from the heart are the most
beautiful things that exist in the world
they cannot be touched
they cannot be seen
felt solely


To those of you that have kept in touch during this time,
Riempie il cuore di gioia e gratitudine
It fills the heart with joy and gratitude

love, always love,
a presto,

patricia
la perugina

Friday 17 April, 2009


Moonlight series


inspired by the Zodiac sign of Cancer



pace e serenita`
peace and serenity

no 6


watercolour and gouache
on arches cp 300gsm



38×57 cm



___________________




just a quick note letting you all know

this will be my last post for a while and i don't know for how long.

i am ok, however feel i need to take a break for a while, and collect myself so i can take up painting with renewed energy, positiveness and inspiration something that i am very much lacking in at present.

i will certainly miss doing this but feel it best to try and recuperate and get some needed rest and some sunshine as i have found myself very exhausted with many late nights with very little sleep painting these works and others over the last few months.

this upsets me because painting has provided me with such joy, and i am at my happiest when doing so and as such will miss it.



pushing through with very little energy, motivation and inspiration left, i worked on this last painting today so i could at the very least post it up to complete this series. i don't think there are anymore Moonlight Ladies to paint here, that need to what i call - 'come out'!

thanking all of you who have been so very kind in providing support here and on RB, i have very much appreciated the time you all take to leave your positive comments of encouragement on my paintings and i will certainly miss this support.

having said this, i am still answering emails and i will try and visit blogs and keep in touch on RB with those of you i have come to know when i can, as this is also something which fills me with great joy as i also love to provide support and encouragement in return.

i guess this is a nice work to finish with as it is my wish.
wishing everyone pace e serenita` which in Italian means
peace and serenity
dal cuoreas this is my wish for you all as well
love, hugs and a presto

patricia
la perugina


Friday 20 March, 2009.

Moonlight series
inspired by the Zodiac sign of Cancer

una danza al chiaro di Luna
a dance by moonlight

no 5

watercolour and gouache
on arches cp 300gsm

38×57 cm
______________________

il vestito rosso
the red dress

watercolour on arches
300gsm cp fine

32 x 40 cm

________________________
back to whimsy, fantasia, and frivolity it seems…








available in sepia as a card through

Redbubble



work in progress
la perugina

self portrait II
______________________________

The picture above is where i am currently at.
This second attempt at a self portrait has given me little rest over the last few days.
I feel there is still much work to do to complete it.
I tried to start this again the night before last, however realised it was impossible for me to even contemplate picking up a brush due to the intense concentration and emotions experienced with the first portrait.

There were many lessons learnt i felt through the first painting and after some thought, restless sleep thinking about what needed to be tackled, and after a little rest yesterday afternoon, i'm giving it another go... improving it in areas which i felt needed more careful attention.
I am posting here my progress so far, so as to remember this for next time.

It's a more controlled render than the first, and has a different 'spirit', nevertheless it is also an experience and am building on my skills in watercolour.
There is some pressure when posting a work in progress, and this is a lesson also, one i welcome as with all my wips. Having said that, this one i feel most vulnerable about, however it is something i am compelled to push myself through at the moment despite how tired i feel.

I want to thank those of you who were so kind to leave thoughts on my first portrait, here and on RB, and my replies to you each individually are pending - for this i sincerely apologise! I felt very vulnerable and exposed posting it, so your encouragement and kindness by way of these supportive comments have gone a long way in making me feel a little stronger to start this one.





















tutto quello che vedi qui
all you see here

self portrait

watercolour on arches
cp 300gsm

38 x 57 cm
_______________________________

It was time i tried a self portrait, and this one from a photo taken last month inspired these words below, and for some hours today inspired this watercolour you see here.
________________________________
senza maschera - without mask
no trucco - no makeup/trick
no deceiving the truth
open eyed
looking straight into the eyes of the person who is willing to look back

written by
patricia vannucci
la perugina
____________________________
all you see here
makes me who i am

where i have been,

yesterday, today, tomorrow

where i am
where i will go
what i have seen, beautiful and not so

what i have touched
who has touched me

my memories

those i want to keep
those i'd rather forget

my dreams
secret and known

what i hold in my heart

things i have heard
what I have spoken

what i have held in my hands
what i have lost and found

these things make me who i am

i do not know how to be another

_____________________________

It is very difficult to know when to stop working on a painting - this was one of the many lessons today and over the last 24 hours it seems.
I worked on it some more and perhaps should have left it alone, living with it before making any further adjustments or decisions.
Each painting provides an opportunity to learn about ones self...about their ability... about their faith in what they do... about their thought processes... for me now it is more than just the painting it seems... and this also was the lesson.

I was most distressed over this yesterday and last night when i posted this here, perhaps feeling vulnerable as it was my first serious attempt at a self portrait and in a medium i still know very little about.

These are my thoughts which i leave here.
'these things make me who i am
i do not know how to be another'
Tuesday March 10, 2009






Moonlight series
inspired by the Zodiac sign of Cancer
Luna luminosa non e` da nasconderti
luminous moon no reason to hide

no 4

watercolour and gouache
on arches cp 300gsm

38×57 cm

______________________
Moonlight series
inspired by the Zodiac sign of Cancer
il bagno al chiaro di Luna
moonlight bathe

no 3

watercolour and gouache
on arches
cp 300gsm


38×57 cm
______________________
Moonlight series
inspired by the Zodiac sign of Cancer

Luna Piena, Sogni d’Oro
full moon, dreams of gold
no 2

watercolour and gouache
on arches
cp 300gsm

38×57 cm
______________________

This watercolour and its title is based on an old Italian expression.