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A Room with a View PLUS Figs!









 A Room with a View
watercolor on paper (Daler Rowney cold pressed) 18 x 13 cm/ 5 x7 in. 

“One doesn't come to Italy for niceness," was the retort; "one comes for life. Buon giorno! Buon giorno!”
― E.M. Forster, A Room with a View


 Sunday morning a fishing competition forced my husband and I up river to kayak. There was no place for me to sit nearby so I ventured into the town of Subiaco to plein air paint. I have always wanted to paint a portion of this house which I have been infatuated with for years. I was also very attracted to the old style street lamp and the flowers blooming on the sill. This home looks over the Aniene River and has a beautiful mountain view. The owner of the house is very kind and came out to see what I was doing as did many of the friendly folk walking by. Being accustomed to the colder ways of the big city, I appreciate smaller towns where people take the time to  greet each other, even strangers. "Buon giorno"  is all I heard over and over that morning.

 We finished up before lunch, in time to pick buckets of figs. My father in law has a house close by with three fig trees that are at their peak! I ate a bucket's worth myself.  Yesterday I made jam, if I had time I would have painted the fruit but for now we settle for eating them! I wish I could share them with all of  you!




The house looks over the river and mountains.  Sunday morning, you could hear the church bells ringing from above, the calming noise from a nearby fountain and river.
 

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Comments

  1. hmuxo2 October 2013 at 00:28

    I can see why you chose this portion of the house to paint, Celia. . The colors are absolutely beautiful! A lovely watercolor!!!!.

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    Replies
    1. Celia Blanco2 October 2013 at 12:47

      Thank you Hilda! You should see the back of the house too. :-)

      Delete
  2. Wendy Barrett2 October 2013 at 07:02

    You did a magnificent job with this painting Celia! Very pretty and painterly. You have a knack of getting great colours into your paintings in a way that makes your paintings very distinctive. I loved seeing the photo of the house you painted from and the figs reminded me of the beautiful fig jam my Grandma used to make. Great that your father-in-law lives in such a nice rural area. How lucky you are living in Italy! Such a beautiful country and so full of culture and history!

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  3. Jane2 October 2013 at 08:15

    Dear Celia, I totally get the atmosphere from this place , and you painted it beautifully with lovely bright and warm colours. I love figs too ! I have a little fig tree that seeded itself during summer, unfortunately I shall have to pull it out as my city garden is a shady one , there would be no fruit :-( Have a nice day. xx

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    Replies
    1. Celia Blanco2 October 2013 at 12:52

      Hi Jane, figs need a lot of sun but you are still so fortunate to have a garden in the city. Thank you for stopping by!

      Delete
  4. Judy2 October 2013 at 10:02

    What a lovely house, I can see the attraction to paint it. I love smaller towns too, where people greet you even if you're a stranger. Your painting is beautiful!

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  5. Debbie Nolan2 October 2013 at 17:24

    Celia - you can really feel by this painting that it is a place you enjoyed visiting. Love the colors and the richness of this piece. As far as I know I have never eaten a fig (except in a Fig Newton cookie- I am not sure that counts (LOL)- they look super good. Thanks dear one for sharing. Hope you have a beautiful day.

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    Replies
    1. Celia Blanco4 October 2013 at 13:05

      I'm thrilled you got that feeling from seeing my painting, Debbie! Thanks for stopping by!

      Delete
  6. Laura2 October 2013 at 18:56

    That house would probably have caught my eye too. Though perhaps a kayak would not have been my first choice of transport. Great painting with lots of lovely interesting elements and vibrant colours. Fig jam... yummy.... :-)

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  7. Joan Tavolott2 October 2013 at 23:11

    I love how you focused on the window area alone!!! This is so lovely and rich!

    I have only tasted figs once and loved the taste....yum!!!

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    Replies
    1. Celia Blanco4 October 2013 at 13:06

      I'm happy you like it Joan, thank you for your nice comment!

      Delete
  8. art by Michael Perchard3 October 2013 at 02:02

    Ciao Celia!
    Fantastic! The colors are full of joy and excitement! Love this piece!
    Bravo my friend!
    Also love figs.
    I will share your blog and wonderful art with my dear Portuguese friend who is now in Roma. She and her husband love figs!
    Ciao my friend!
    Your watercolor and fig loving buddy!
    Michael

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    Replies
    1. Celia Blanco4 October 2013 at 13:07

      Thank you for sharing my blog with others, Michael! You are always so generous, thank your for stopping by!

      Delete
  9. Tito3 October 2013 at 08:51

    Magnifica la tua finestra italiana. Ciao Celia.

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  10. Lorraine Brown3 October 2013 at 23:21

    As I am still away I am a bit behind in blog posts. What a wonderful place you have captured and to boot had figs too.

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    Replies
    1. Celia Blanco4 October 2013 at 13:09

      I thought you were away, Lorraine, but so happy you found the time to visit my blog!

      Delete
  11. Celia Blanco4 October 2013 at 13:06

    Muchas gracias Ina!

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  12. Unknown4 October 2013 at 14:15

    Aw, that is a beautiful painting and depicts a beautiful place and time. Thanks for sharing the story about your experience as you painted this... the charm and friendliness of the place really comes through in the piece.

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    Replies
    1. Celia Blanco4 October 2013 at 17:34

      I'm so thrilled you think so, Katherine! Thank you for your nice comment!

      Delete
  13. Helen H Trachy4 October 2013 at 16:17

    You have a beautiful penmanship Celia or do we say penwomanship. :) It is a pleasure reading your post. Now, about serious things, I love the sentence above from Forster and your painting is exactly that. Something about everyday life that stirs an emotion inside us. A precious gift to have. A big hug.
    I ate a fresh fig for the first time in my life , I was 19 years old. Imagine! And it was sooo good. Lucky you!

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    Replies
    1. Celia Blanco4 October 2013 at 17:37

      Your comment has made my day Helen! Thank you!

      Delete
  14. Nancy Goldman5 October 2013 at 15:36

    This is a beautifully expressive painting and I can see why you love that house.

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  15. juliefordoliver.blogspot.com9 October 2013 at 01:19

    I love the way you made the lamp important. Hardly visible in the photo and yet so striking in your painting. All your colors are fresh and harmonious..
    Figs...I love the shape and color but have never painted them. They look delish!

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    Replies
    1. Celia Blanco9 October 2013 at 07:26

      Thank you, I am happy you think so! I love the old world look of the lamp. I agree about the figs, they would make a beautiful subject!

      Delete
  16. Watermarycolors9 October 2013 at 17:19

    Lovely watercolor Celia! hugs! :)

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  17. Studio at the Farm11 October 2013 at 16:33

    Hi Celia,
    Thank you so much for visiting my blog and leaving your most kind comments!
    Kathryn xx

    ReplyDelete

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