My Inspiration:  The gondolas were bobbing up and down in the waves and the colors were melding together in a way I had never seen. It was a kaleidoscope of color and it reminded me what it must have been like 400 years ago. In the distance, the sunlight seemed to be dancing across the scalloped buttresses and domes of the Santa Maria della Salute as if basking in her glorious beauty. The sun, casting long shadows across the plaza, made me think of all those who had been there before me. I was walking in the very place Bellini, Titian, Tiepolo and Canaletto had walked. The winged Lion of St. Mark, who greeted these great artists, was still there, gloriously perched upon his column, to welcome me to its city of romance.

As I stood there, listening to the lapping of the water and immersing myself in the grandeur of the scene, I too, as countless artists before me, became hypnotized by the magic of Venice, a city frozen in time.

There were four of us traveling together on this memorable Venetian trip and all are included in this painting. I’m in the green sweater, facing my audience, inviting you to join me as we head to the Piazza San Marco.

"Venetian Holiday" / Oil on Panel / 8"x10"