In September I traveled to Guardabosone in Norther Italy to spend the month painting the landscape around the lakes and mountains. On previous visits I had come across a beautiful medical town of Orta San Giulio and made a number of sketches and drawings. It has a lively town piazza on the edge of lake Orta, full of sunlight and colour. Deciding to paint here meant a long walk down from the car park to set up but well worth the effort. The locals were a bit unsure of me at first but as the first week progressed I was being offered complementary pizza, ice cream and beer to help keep me going. My day started at 8am and finished at 10pm when the restaurants had emptied so the sustenance was a great help. I made numerous studies and paintings there and was very reluctant to leave.

Morning in the Piazza. Orta San Giulio. Italy oil on canvas 96x102cm