The Isle of Capri

The Isle of Capri, Oil, by Patricia Miller Uchello

Dear Imaginary Friends,

Guess what I recently painted? Only one of the most scenic spots in the world: the jutting rocks off the coast of the Isle of Capri, off shore from Sorrento, Italy, om the famed Amalfi Coast.
That's amore!

We actually took a boat trip through the eye of the needle. The water was a brilliant inky blue. If I had not seen it with my own two eyes, I would never believe it.
Stunning beauty!

Your imaginary friend,
Patsie

True Bliss: More Fun Than Humans Should Be Allowed to Have

Dear imaginary friends,

One of the most exhilarating hours of my life was spent buzzing around Capri, Italy, on a boat. You can tell by the big smile on my face that I loved every moment. The water was an incredible azure. We threaded the needle, going through the iconic rock formations right off Capri's coast. Ooh la la. 

Such natural beauty.  

It is calling me to pick up the paintbrush. 

Your imaginary friend,

Patsie

Don't you love the color of the water? I did not retouch this photo.

Threading the needle

Boating through the rock

Bank of Naples!!!!!

Dear Imaginary Friends,

Grrrr.
Remember how I just told you about the crime rates in Naples?
They are so high that when we visited the Bank of Naples in Naples, Italy, there were outdoor lockers, where one must park one's hat, jacket, backpack, etc.
Then there were stringent displays of security everywhere inside the bank and warnings about how to stay safe, so I thought the bank was looking out for us.
LO and behold, today we found out that our ATM card which was only used at branches of the Bank of Napoli, was hacked, and that "we" withdrew $800 US in Berlin. Where we never went. Ever.
Now it is on us, to fight the charges.
Not right.

Now the question I must ask myself is, was the pizza, gelato and cassata really worth it?? Not $800.

Your miffed friend,
Patsie

Naples, Italy, Archaeological Museum

Treasures on display in Naples' fabulous museum include some very realistic fine mosaics rescued from Pompeii, which was buried under a barrage of ash by nearby Vesuvius.

Mosaic from Pompeii

Mosaic from Pompeii

Standing in the Crater of Mt. Etna

High above Messina, Sicily, looms the still-active Mt.  Etna volcano. Here the intrepid travelers stand in the yawning maw of Mt. Etna, waiting for fire and brimstone. 

Ravello, Italy

Such a beautiful view!

Take Me to Tuscany

"Take Me to Tuscany"

Dear Imaginary Friends,

The above painting of Tuscan poplars outside Florence, Italy, is painted in acrylics.

I sold my Tuscan-inspired painting  last Monday to a lovely lady who gives art as presents. What a great idea! Very unique, and very appropriate.

It makes me wish I were in Tuscany.

Your Imaginary Friend,

Patsie

Broken Ankle

Dear Imaginary Friends,

I painted this painting several years ago. My new friend told me she loved it, and to thank her for something big that she had helped me with,  I gave it to her. The shoe in the painting is actually the high heel that I wore on my wedding day, back when dinosaurs roamed the earth. And, no, the dinosaurs were not wearing white four inch heels. Just us ladies.

A few months after I gave it to her, she trekked to Italy, and guess what happened? She broke her ankle! She asked me if the painting carried a curse.

Not that I know of.

Number One, I don't  throw curses or epithets, much less at my friends. Plus, even though I hail from New Orleans, where Voo Doo lurks, I am not interested in crossing to the dark side.

Voo Doo differs from Hoo Doo. Hoo Doo is the practice of sorcery wherein curses and spells are cast, whereas VooDoo is actually a religion.

But still, no thanks.

Your everyday, non-cursing imaginary friend,

Patsie

Welcome to My Studio!

Dear Imaginary Friends,

You are now looking at my studio, and at a large oil painting that I completed last year entitled Grand Canal.

This painting is a biggie, measuring about 30" x 40". No doubt, you have noticed that it is a familiar view of the breathtaking city Venice. My husband and I took a Mediterranean cruise that ended there about 2 years ago. 

It was not our first visit. There is no substitute for the first time that one sees the watery city, with its impending doom hanging in the air. The grandeur of Venice is incomparable to any other city I have ever visited. It is a living breathing architectural museum. She is a lovely lady past her prime, but full of guile and charm.

I could not possibly do Venice justice, the way that Caneletto did.

Venice reminds me of my home town New Orleans, in that there is a commonality of danger from water. Both are gorgeous architecturally, draw tons of tourists, and celebrate great food.

A toast to my two favorite cities!
Love,

Patsie