'SONO FINITI'......The Final Paintings of 2019

Still Life with Oranges

James Aponovich

Oil on canvas, 12" x 10"

I started these paintings over the Fall in Panicale. I left a couple there

to finish in the Spring. A day or two after New Year's Day 

these paintings are heading down to the State of Florida ( Palm Beach)

for one of the endless 'Art Fairs'.

( Someone tapes a banana to a wall and it sells for $120,000.)

What a business!

Still Life with Bowl of Berries

James Aponovich

Oil on panel, 10" x 8"

As far as I'm concerned this just about sums it up. I have been

studying Italian Renaissance painting for almost a 

half Century and this little guy says it 'in a nutshell'....

....I think.

R.B.R.V.C.

Renaissance

Based

Radical 

Visual

Conservative 

Copyright 2019 James Aponovich

All rights reserved

PANICALESE STILL LIFE

Panicalese Still Life

James Aponovich

oil on panel, 10" x 8"

It's not unusual for me to complete a small painting in less than

a month ( don't tell my galleries that). I guess that I have

never been very adept at group efforts, but when I'm left alone,

things seem to take on a life of their own. Until...

"James, why don't you, while we are in Italy, paint on 

one of these wood panels. I love them," my wife Elizabeth asked 

prior to our latest trip.

"Hmmm, why not?", I thought, they travel well and those 

Renaissance guys used them 

( when they weren't painting on walls)

"Finalamente'....Two months later and a whole lot of hours

chained to the easel, this is the result.







Copyright 2019 James Aponovich
All rights reserved

ARE WE THERE YET? ( week10)

STILL LIFE WITH THREE GROUPS OF FLOWERS

James Aponovich

R.I.P.

( week 10 )

ARE WE THERE YET?

"It ain't over 'til it's over."

-Y. Berra

Still Life with Three Groups of Flowers

James Aponovich

oil on canvas, 40"x 52"

......It's over.

But wait........something new next week!

A NEW BLOG!

I have been thinking about this for some time now, a new Blog focused on Umbria.

Today was the  day to get started.

The new blog is called:

MERAVIGLIOSA UMBRIA

Meravigliosa Umbria Marvelous Umbria

There is so much to be said about this extraordinary place that I felt a need to record it here with words and pictures as my journal of Umbria. This is an ancient land of beauty, kind people,

 food, wine, art and a long history.

Sunset over Lake Trasimeno is an event in itself. The warm glow creates

a softness across the farmland that sits below the hill town

of Panicale. This is a place James and I feel so at home.

Follow along on our journey :

MervigliosaUmbria.blogspot.com

The Arc of Life....l'Ingresso

THE ARC OF LIFE

L'INGRESSO

L'INGRESSO

James Aponovich

Pencil on paper, 15" x 9"

After a particularly difficult yet successful year at the easel, we 

arrived in Panicale for an extended stay. It was time to put the paint brushes

 down for awhile. However, not wanting to push the 'Project' aside, I

needed to focus on a simple but involved drawing. I chose drawing

because it is the most elementary form of expression, a pencil, a piece of

paper, and of course, an eraser.

While the 'Arc Of Life' project is about people, I felt drawn (pun intended)

to the foyer of our apartment in Panicale. I am including it in

the project because it is void of people yet everything in the drawing was

made by someone. There exists a sense of quiet anticipation that

absorbs the atmosphere .

copyright 2018 James Aponovich

ARTICHOKE DAZE (Part 2)

 ARTICHOKE DAZE

Part 2

THE LITTLE LASAGNA ALLA VIGNAROLA  (sort of)

A Lasagne is 'stuff' layered between sheets of pasta.
Of course, the 'stuff' is important, be it meat, vegetables or a combination.
But the ultimate success of a lasagna depends on the quality of the pasta.
The sheets must be super thin so that they take a supporting and unifying role,
to the filling, but in reality the pasta makes or breaks the lasagna.

THE CAST OF CHARACTERS

Fave and Artichoke

Take equal amounts of cooked fave and artichokes

Cooked guanciale

Fry as much guanciale as possible until crispy, remove
from pan, leave fat. Fry half of a diced onion and a couple of
cloves of chopped garlic in the left over fat.
( or use olive oil if you are a sissy)

Besciamella

Prepare a white sauce (Besciamella). In a sauce pan melt
2 Tablespoons butter and add 2 Tablespoons flour.
These are equal amounts, if you want more sauce add more butter and flour.
Make a Roux and slowly add whole milk until it's all nice and creamy.
Mash the cooked fave and minced parsley and mint and add to the sauce.
Maybe, ( if no one is looking) add some grated Parmesan cheese.
Salt and pepper to taste.

Mint and Parsley minced

Besciamella with Fave and Herbs

THE ASSEMBLY

If you are near Castiglione Del Lago ( Umbria), go to The
Pasta Ladies ( next to the Esso Station) and buy fresh pasta sheets.
(Don't mention my name, they won't know who I am).
If not, buy or make fresh pasta. You can used dried, but it's not
as yummy. Pre-cook ( almost al dente) the pasta, rinse sheets in cold water
and place on a kitchen towel and pat dry.
Now in a small baking pan layer besciamella, artichokes, guanciale and
grated Pecorino cheese. Repeat layers until your 'stuff' is gone.
Italians usually have only 3 layers of pasta.

Top with more besciamella and grated cheese.

Bake in a preheated  375 degree F. oven ( 190 C.) for about 30-40 minutes
until golden or you can't stand to wait any longer. Let it rest
for about 10 minutes ( sorry).

Remember to wash it down with Red Wine.
BUON APPETITO!

ARTICHOKE DAZE....From the Studio To the Kitchen

ARTICHOKE DAZE
Part 1
From The Studio to the Kitchen

Artichokes Hanging
James Aponovich
Oil on canvas,  20" x 16"

In Italy, artichoke season runs from about January through April.
The Italians ( and me ) go crazy for them.

Artichoke
James Aponovich

They are steamed ( Romana), Fried ( Ebracio), sliced raw into salads, and in this
case made into Lasagne. You never see people dunking them into a bowl of butter, that seems to be an American thing, but it sure is good.
But, first things first, they must be painted.....INTO THE STUDIO!

5 Artichokes
James Aponovich
oil on canvas, 18" x 28"

Sort of like 'Ducks in a row'. They all sit very patiently for their portraits to
be painted. Now it's off to the kitchen and
OFF WITH THEIR HEADS!

THE FAVA PHASE

In early April, the first of the Fava Beans arrive in Italian  markets.
They are so tender they can (and are) eaten raw right out of the shell.
One day in Panicarola, I was standing in line waiting to buy some Fava Beans
when a man, who had nothing else to do, very carefully explained to me
the proper Umbrian method of eating Fave.

Pop some Fave Beans out of their shells
Cut a slice of Pecorino Cheese
Put both into your mouth
Chew
Wash everything down with Red Wine.


Great, but I was after something else. If this lady in front of me doesn't
wipe them all out, I'll but some for a culinary project.

A HAPPY COUPLE

After buying what was left, I went to Linda's Bottega and picked up a wedge of
Umbrian Pecorino ( sheep) cheese...Stagionata, great for grating.

VESTAL VIRGIN VIGNAROLA

In Rome, They make a vegetable 'stew' made up of equal amounts
of fave beans, artichokes, peas and lettuce, a little onion and olive oil.
It is all supported ( thankfully)by that great Italian bacon, guanciale
or pig jowl. Add some pecorino and mint...finito!
Hummm.....maybe they are onto something here.

The two Italian bacons : Guanciale on top  and pancetta below.
They may tell you that they are both the same.
Don't believe them.
Guanciale is King!

END OF PART 1

A LITTLE BALCONY with A GRAND VIEW {Panicale}

The hill town of Panicale rises above the flat plain that once was the bottom of Lake Trasimeno  but now is  a green productive agricultural land. From our balcony the farm fields are clearly defined by rows of crops, trees and white roads.

The geometry of the patterns are fascinating while the lake is in constant flux. At times the three island appear to be floating above the green water and yet when  the lake is calm, the still the water reflects the islands and the outcropping where the fortified town Castiglione del Lago  boldly stands.

There are huge Cedar  and Cypress trees growing on the steep slope that leads up to Panicale. Olive trees dot the landscape in neatly terraced rows.
The light is spectacular and on a clear day the blue sky is remarkable in it's depth of blueness!

 In the late afternoon and into early evening before the sun sets is The Golden Hour, the moments when the Umbrian landscape glows with  rich warm light. 

As the sun nears setting
 the shadows grow long across the plain. The green fields brighten in contrast to these dark shadows yet it all retains a warmth particle to Italy.
Cloud formations, like the lake are in constant change.
All I can say is... this is a remarkable place to be.

PASQUETTA.......A Ride In The Countryside { Panicale}

Here in Italy the Monday following Pasqua ( Easter) is a National holiday called Pasquetta.

Although Spring has been held up due to cooler than normal temperatures today was exquisite  with warm sun and mild air.
Since we had to move our car due to the Ruzzolone....the Cheese Rolling competition that happens each Pasquetta...it is like bocce only with a large wheel of Pecorino. Hard to explain.
Everyone happily moves their car because who wants to find a big dent in the shape of a wheel of cheese in the front quarter panel of their Fiat.

So, since we had to move the car James decided a short drive in the country would be nice. With the delayed Spring the trees are still without leaves, but, the fields are alive with crops of green.

The clear skies allowed the  distant snow covered Sibillini Mountains to show themselves, not a sight we often see.
Fields contine to be plowed and spring crops planted. Fruit trees will be flowering soon with the days growing warmer and longer.

Back up the hill to Panicale, we park the car down below and walk up to the Historic Center, now free of cars.

The piazza was lively with the bar and cafe's full of people basking in the sun and atmosphere of a holiday. James and I  found a free table at Bar Gallo , James had an Aperol Spritz and me a Campari and Soda. This is it. Life is good. We are grateful.

IT'S ALL COMING UP ROSES IN UMBRIA and TUSCANY

ROSES GALORE in UMBRIA and TUSCANY

This is a story that can be told in pictures taken on a drive through Tuscany's

Val d'Orcia  a few days ago and a walk though 'our'  Umbrian village of

Panicale this morning. Feast your eyes!

Roses with  Panicale in the distance.

Roses growing over  a small shrine.

Roses from Aldo's garden that he brings to Bar Gallo for all to enjoy.

And these roses can be found in the garden of friends here in Panicale.

Roses climbing a pergola. 

All I could hear was the buzz of bees!

I would love to have this beauty in our garden.

The sweet scent of roses compares to none.

The cool of white roses growing in the shade of a tree on a hot Tuscan afternoon.

Roses growing up a stucco wall with a hint of a view of the Val d' Orcia.

Roses draping over the Medieval wall in Panicale.

A dramatic backdrop of a palm creates a feather like head dress for  these roses.

When it is all about the right color combo, this gets it just right!

And the best part of the morning ..... finding roses  from James  on my desk this morning!
Sweet!

POSTCARD FROM UMBRIA {Panicale}

Panicale is in bloom! 

Wisteria draped along walls and not to outdone the lilacs add their perfume to the air.

Fruit trees flowering as we await the fruits from their branches in the weeks and months to come.

And yes, tulips are a colorful addition to walkways and gardens.

Lady Banksie roses are just beginning to share their yellow flowers with us and they

climb walls and pergolas.

This is a gorgeous time to be in Umbria!

Ciao from Panicale !

BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR / LA CELLA {A Year In Painting }

JAMES APONOVICH

A YEAR IN PAINTING

LA VITA E BREVE

L'ARTE E LUNGA

As our planet makes its journey around a star we call the Sun, 

I make my own journey in paintings. Each week I present some

aspect of our shared life experiences through the medium of paint on canvas.

" Old men ought to be explorers."

- T.S Eliot, The Four Quartets

________________________________________________________________

BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR

LA CELLE

THE CELL

I was never one for a grand studio, in fact I often described my needs 

as a  9' x 6'  'cell', just enough for me, an easel and a painting table.

Well, here in Italy it's my dream come true. It kinda reminds me of the

Monks cells in San Marco in Florence.

We are going soon.....I'll show you in a couple of weeks....and

a few words about the Mad Monk from Ferrara.