Dear Friends,

I hope this letter finds you in a beautiful place within and around you. Firstly, a note of gratitude. Thank you for being here, thank you to those who have written to me over the years and recently, and to those who are new here. Your presence enriches my experience as an Artist sharing her work and dreams, and I hope these sharings might fill a few moments of your day with delight.

I recently returned from my Artist Residency in Venice. My time there was another beautiful chapter in the many seasons of life through which I have visited this enchanting city. As many of you may remember, the topic of my study and art-making is the influence of the East on Venetian Architecture, through their historic trade relations.

As I painted and sketched the places where the city remembered the East, I also reflected on the why. The stories behind how and why these forms and details traveled from the East into Venice are perhaps just as beautiful as the aesthetic. And this becomes part of the story I wish to share going forward.

a few of the details sketched and discovered during my residency

One thing that has been recurring throughout my residency was a deep sense of connecting with the makers of Venice. Sketching details, glancing through binoculars, at details I had not noticed before, capturing one detail throughout different parts of the day, to know how sun and shadow shape its form. Connecting, as if conversing with the makers of Venice….a dialogue through time, sketched and painted in wash and loose watercolors.

Some of the places had their stories of resonance with the East studied profusely, others I discovered through my own impressions. If it is of interest, I am also sharing my related art and discoveries on my Instagram account.

Porta dei Fiori, North portal to Saint Mark's Basilica / Church of Madonna dell'Orto

I’ve also taken a moment to acknowledge how this had been a long standing dream of mine to pursue this topic through the lens of Architecture, History, Meaning, and Art. It was when these began to coalesce in my overall creative path that this opportunity became possible. One of the “Messages from Venice” I received from the city a few years ago was “What’s written in the starts is written in your heart.” If ideas such as these interest you, do have a look at my Creative Travel Deck which inspires more creative, reflective, and soulful travel as well as the return home.

Until next time, wishing you much serenity, joy, and beauty, in your days ahead.

With gratitude,

xo
Sophia

This work is supported by Long Island Grants for the Arts through funds provided by the office
of the Governor and the New York State Legislature, and administered by The Huntington Arts
Council.

My Artist Residency in Venice

Venice and the East