More experimenting: Lemons of the Amalfi Coast

My last weekend was very productive: two studio sessions and one plein air sketching. Believe me, this is a lot for a working mom of a 6-year-old. My art tends to take a sinusoidal path—with periods of excitement and stunning fruitfulness followed by times when I won’t touch a brush for weeks or even months.

My Sunday session took place at an adorable little shop, Saltwater Gifts & Books, in Downtown Pleasanton. Yes, this is the one where I arrived an hour early and had the perfect opportunity for some urban sketching! The workshop was led by another Ukrainian artist and my close friend, Diana Iliaiev. It featured plaster fruits and berries painted with acrylics on canvas, along with sparkling wine, delicious snacks, Italian music, and great female company.

Acrylics are never easy for me. They blow my mind by inverting every little thing I know about painting as a watercolor artist. No water. Thick paint. Lights can be applied after darks. And the paint is definitely not washable! Phew!

However, I believe my 3D painting turned out just fine. It’s vivid and juicy, and it definitely breathes the vibes of a sunny Italian summer, don’t you think?