I have only recently come upon this wonderful, atmospheric watercolour of the 13th century Malaspina castle in Verrucola, one of the locations on our Watermill painting courses. Isn’t it a stunningly evocative painting? Here’s another: We go to paint at Verrucola every Monday on a painting course and we have other amazing locations as well: […]
Etymological trivia arising from Tom, Dick and Harry
We were talking yesterday about Tizio, Caio e Sempronio, the Italian equivalents of Tom, Dick and Harry and as I was writing that piece, I was intrigued by all the etymological trivia I gathered during my research. I suspect that many of my readers have a love of words, just as I do, so I […]
The secret of life, the universe and everything is not 42, but 40 and 34 could bring happiness
Do you remember Douglas Adams’ wonderful radio comedy sci-fi series A Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy?, in which a supercomputer (a sort of early Artificial Intelligence machine), was asked: “What’s the secret of life, the universe and everything?” The answer was disappointing: It looks as if we will have to go on searching! Might I […]
A wonderful Donatello terracotta Madonna for the Bargello
I think Donatello is my favourite artist. It’s a close-run thing with Brunelleschi, but the latter was rather short-tempered, while Donatello sounds much more fun, so I guess he gets the prize by a very short head. So, I was delighted to learn that another Donatello masterpiece, this time a terracotta Madonna, has been purchased […]
Is this the most user-friendly art gallery in Italy? Artistic masterpieces in a magnificent setting
Last week Lois and I were in Rome, celebrating her birthday with friends. While there we took the opportunity to visit again the Palazzo Doria Panphili and its knockout collection of paintings amassed by the rich and powerful family over hundreds of years . Open to the public, it is probably the most visitor-friendly art […]
Another great TripAdvisor review of our Italian language week. Tante Grazie, Susan
Susan Metcalf, who was on our Italian Language course at the Watermill last month, has just posted a lovely review of the week on TripAdvisor. She writes: “Everything about the Watermill is first class and I enjoyed every moment of my time there.I recommend it to anyone looking for a different kind of holiday in […]
Will the leaning tower of Bologna become a mound of rubble?
I have often wondered, and I’m sure that you have too, what the Pisan tourist trade would have been like if its cathedral bell tower had not begun leaning from the early years of its construction in the 12th century and continued to do so ever since. The 56-metre-high tower, after stabilisation efforts at the […]
As the sun sets on the last of this year’s creative courses, we are looking forward to the sunrise of our next season
We have just finished a fun-filled Italian language week with Giulia Balestri, the last of our 2023 creative courses.This year, more than 260 people have enjoyed our painting, knitting, creative writing and Italian language courses (263, to be precise). So, as well as saying a big thank you to our guests, we would also like […]
Artemisia and women tutors at the Watermill
Whatever you think of the paintings of Artemisia Gentileschi (and Lois will tell you that I’m underwhelmed), she is undoubtedly a feminist icon, celebrated for her struggles, professional and personal, in a world dominated by men. So, it is of both artistic and sociological significance when a new picture by Artemisia is discovered. And that’s […]
And so farewell…
… to Grahame Booth, our genial and generous tutor and his enthusiastic and energetic group of painters. This which will be included three charming French people, and painters (and their non-painting partners) from the UK, the USA and Canada. As usual, Gina Shearston captures the atmosphere of their farewell show the video above. Judging by […]