Studio San Gimignano by AIS-Phila

Packing

burnslindaa — 2026-08-11 20:52:16 UTC

I’m Linda and I’m excited to paint with my friends in San Gimingano and to be a part of the group. I will be working in pastels and I plans to vacuum seal my supplies. I will be traveling for a little bit with my daughter in Abbruzzo. On the first of September 1st, I will be joining the group.

Packing

natalieitaliano — 2026-08-17 15:30:44 UTC

Painting panels are all ready for landscape painting in San Gimignano!! So exciting!

Packing

burnslindaa — 2026-08-17 18:18:14 UTC

Glassine arrived. This is a material that will protect pastel drawings.

Ready for our flight!

natalieitaliano — 2026-08-17 18:29:46 UTC

Natalie and Michela ready for their flight to Italy to start their adventure landscape painting in San Gimignano!

Aventura

tigresspaintings — 2026-08-17 19:05:37 UTC

Packing art supplies

First taste of Italy

tigresspaintings — 2026-08-19 21:33:12 UTC

Trattoria Za Za! In the heart of San Lorenzo, Florence, is a museum of art you can dine in.

Sketching in the Palazzo Pitti, Florence

tigresspaintings — 2026-08-19 21:45:01 UTC

Palazzo Pitti is a breathtaking spectacle, a palace that dazzles with its opulent chandeliers and a treasure trove of paintings and sculptures. Imagine standing before masterpieces from legends like Raphael and Titian, as well as the captivating works of Mancini and the Macchaioli. Here Magdalene gazes upward—her eyes shimmering with wonder—it’s simply mesmerizing. One of my favorite details of this painting is the flowing, curly blond hair cascading around her figure, creating a strikingly lifelike image that's nothing short of stunning. It's an experience that leaves you in awe!

Arrived in Florence!

natalieitaliano — 2026-08-19 22:04:05 UTC

After a long layover in Rome, we arrived very tired, but very happy to be in Florence! After resting at the B&B in historic San Lorenzo we headed out. Our first stop was the Officina Profumo Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella, which was originally an apothecary started by the Dominicans in 1221 on the grounds of the Basilica of Santa Maria Novella. In 1612 it opened to the public, and today is considered the oldest pharmacy in the world. Over time it has evolved from a convent apothecary into a perfumery, including cosmetics and personal care items. The perfumes are amazing and you can even buy one that was made from the original recipe for Catherine di Medici. The building is amazing and well worth a visit! The artworks in the Santa Maria Novella Basilica include Masaccio’s Holy Trinity, Giotto’s Crucifix, Brunelleschi’s Crucifix and shouldn’t be missed.

Palazzo Pitti

natalieitaliano — 2026-08-20 17:01:30 UTC

The Pitti Palace houses an incredible art collection originally belonging to the Medici family. Amazing paintings include these two Madonnas by Renaissance artists Raphael and Botticelli. There is also an incredible collection of clothing, not to be missed by anyone interested in the history of fashion.

San Gimignano!

natalieitaliano — 2026-08-20 21:45:24 UTC

We arrived to our painting destination today, the beautiful medieval city of San Gimignano. After getting settled in our apartment, we wandered around the walled city. The cobblestone roads are narrow, with limited cars. I’m taking it all in- the stone, the earth colors, the medieval towers, Romanesque architecture and the heat. I’m lucky to be with Michela who has lived here and is fluent in Italian. Many people speak ant least some English, but not everyone. I’m trying a bit of clumsy Italian, but feeling a little isolated. Most importantly, I can order a coffee, because I’m still tired from traveling. I’m wondering what it will be like trying to paint outside here with the sun and all the people. I’m focusing on the beauty of this ancient city and how special it is for me to paint here as I get ready to sleep. Buone notte!

First and most important thing!

tigresspaintings — 2026-08-21 09:11:36 UTC

On our way to our air bnb we stopped at the COOP local grocery store and got 50 liters of water.

A walled city

natalieitaliano — 2026-08-21 20:45:11 UTC

San Gimignano is surrounded by stone walls first built to protect the city in the 10th century. They were expanded during the 13th and 14th centuries, when the town was prosperous due to its location and saffron trade. Built of local stone, the walls and towers are a magnificent example of preserved medieval architecture in Tuscany and are a UNESCO heritage site.

I also included a pic of my easel set up and equipment. The view is amazing! The painting needs more help.

First day painting outside together, Natalie and I discover breathtaking views under a blue sky

tigresspaintings — 2026-08-22 02:05:57 UTC

I recommend bug spray, lol

Boarding Our Plane

burnslindaa — 2026-08-22 06:46:15 UTC

My daughter, Kate, and I are flying from Philadelphia to Rome where we will rent a car and drive to Abbruzzo. There we will travel throughout the province, where my grandparents were born. On September 1st, Kate will fly home and I will join our painting group.

Sulmona

burnslindaa — 2026-08-22 06:56:31 UTC

Confetti is an almond covered with chocolate and a hard candy exterior. These were the candies that were usually given out at weddings that I remember from my childhood. Here in Sulmona, there are different family merchants who have been making these confections for generations.

Sulmona and Pescara

burnslindaa — 2026-08-22 07:10:05 UTC

Kate in the piazza that is dedicated to the great Roman poet, Ovid. After visiting Sulmona, we arrived at our first destination, a cozy apartment in Pescara.

Beautiful Vasto

burnslindaa — 2026-08-22 18:39:16 UTC

Today was a beautiful beach day. We bathed in the Adriatic while looking up toward the majestic city of Vasto.

Into to routine

tigresspaintings — 2026-08-23 05:07:54 UTC

I finally feel like I’ve found my painting legs

Beautiful homeland

burnslindaa — 2026-08-23 14:09:07 UTC

Teremo is the “county” of Abbruzzo where my roots reside. We will stay here for two days at our beautiful hotel.

Montepagano

burnslindaa — 2026-08-24 08:21:08 UTC

Dinner at D.One was an elegant experience. The chefs prepare epicurean delights with combinations of flavors where each bite is delicious and very sensational. Montepagano is a beautiful medieval town sitting high on the mountainside overlooking the beautiful Adriatic and the seaside town of Rosetta Degli Abbruzzo.

Onto Bellante to find our roots

burnslindaa — 2026-08-24 16:06:54 UTC

Today Kate and I drove to Bellante in search of our roots. Here is where my maternal grandparents grew. We were very successful in our quest to find documents and places of their birth and everyone at City Hall was so willing to help. There were many Pedicone and Cascioli in the cemetery, these are our ancestors. Giovanni, a gentleman who helped us at the town hall, is friends with a Pedicone and tomorrow Kate and I are going to travel to meet him to get a copy of our family tree.

Church of Saint Augustine

natalieitaliano — 2026-08-24 20:55:23 UTC

The day after we arrived in San Gimignano it was raining. Determined to get started, I painted the view out the window of our apartment which includes part of the Chiesa di Sant’Agostino. This beautiful Romanesque-Gothic church was built between 1280-1298 and has frescos illustrating the life of Saint Augustine painted in 1465 by Benozzo Gozzoli. We got a chance to visit it later and see the amazing artwork.

A New View

tigresspaintings — 2026-08-25 04:47:13 UTC

Hiking outside the city walls, we found a new view from which to paint the towers. The owner of the bed and breakfast offered to let us paint from this spot. We will be going soon.