painterdave's VirtualTourist Home Page

This is it! Italy now grows by one person.
You can see my last watercolor, one from a DVD project. This wsd used to teach a workshop in May here in Padova, Italy. The students did the same one, but a smaller version. They all came out very bnice and after the workshop we took on a roasted pig that had been cooking for a day. The wine flowed, the accordian guy entertained, the drunk lady danced, and everyone had a sing along after the feast. It was a great time, and I can't wait for the next one.
I think it was fun for them to do something from Hawaii, something so different than an Italian landscape which they expected.

The Mayor of Noventa Padovana, Daniela an important artist who set up my exhibition, VT friend Orietta who translated for us, and the Vice Mayor in charge of cultural affairs stands in front of the attendees to make their individual presentations at my exhibition.
Daniela deserves special commendation because she did an incredible amount of work to make the event a success.
We had at least 60 people attend this opening. The people in Noventa made me feel warmly appreciated. I have never been treated so nicely in my life by so many people.
It just cannot get any better.
Thank you Daniela.

WHY NOT?

These wild pigs are used in many restaurants in Italy. So many of them feature this meat that I wonder if there are any wild boars left in Italy. I think they must raise these "wild" boars on a farm somewhere. I want to see this farm.
I llke to joke with my Italian friends that I want a boar's head for my home. Most of them in salami shops look pretty worn, but this one in San Gimignano was in good shape.
If you plan to buy a salami, make sure you ask to see how much fat is inside. Some are more fat than meat.

Near an astronomical tower NOT used by Galileo in Padova is a canal and this photo is now one for a future painting. This was a tower used to make mathematical figures concerning the rotation of the earth, etc.
Inside near the top is a round hole. The previous owners used this hole to drop servants who did not do a good job. It is a long long way down.
If you are ever visiting Padova, this place should be near the top of your list of places to see.

Here is my VT pal, Orietta, with Sandra and we are taking this last photo before the big feast of baccala. You can see by our smiles that the workshop was a great success.
We are also smiling because there was a luncheon after and Sandra had made some of those Italian chocolate cookies, those awesome tasty ones with the nuts made with raw eggs.

The man on the right is Stefano, and these are his parents. Stefano is one of those persons who makes things happen. He leads a group of individuals in Padova that bring cultural events and movies to members of the Wigwam Club. Stefano asked me last April to lead a painting workshop on his father's farm, il Presidio. We had 37 painters and a lot of folks who showed up to watch.
This photo was made the last week I was in Padova and Stefano's mother demonstrated her skills by loading the table with a whole range of Italian cooking. I was honored to be asked to visit their home, and I hope some day to cook for them in return.
Stefano and his sister are genuinely friendly people and great diplomats for Padova and Italy

Don't miss the chance to go up in the elevator and enjoy the view of the city of Bergamo.
I have a page on Bergamo, go take a look at this wonderful city.

Presentation presentation presentation!
Just looking at this creation makes me hungry.
Certainly a learning experience to use later at home for the next big dinner.