Inspired by Botticelli — Really

Travel is great for inspiration. Immersing yourself in a culture sparks creativity  that often takes me by surprise. 

Prior to teaching a workshop in Tuscany last year, I spent five extraordinary days knocking about Florence on my own. I love traveling to a place and having time there without any distractions. Traveling with loved ones is a pleasure, but my desire to spend time with art and walk for miles can fatigue almost everyone I know. 

My visit to Santa Maria del Carmine and the Brancacci Chapel to see the frescoes of Massaccio, Masolino and Fillipino Lippi was just such a visit. I stayed in that chapel for at least an hour letting the astounding work of these masters wash over me.

I was fascinated by the biblical stories that were illustrated, and listened intently to the audio guide provided. More importantly, I was riveted by the artwork made by these early renaissance masters. I studied the compositions, and was charmed that portraits of people I had heard of were portrayed on some of the walls. 

​As an example, the detail from Filippino Lippi's fresco Disputation with Simon Magus and Crucifixion of Peter, 1481-82, portrays Sandro Botticelli looking right at us. Seeing the face of the artist I had admired since prior to my college days as an art student captivated me. Literally, I stood transfixed before snapping photographs. 

Provided below are images showing how I was inspired by that portion of the fresco to paint what began as an abstract, but ended up an abstracted landscape. 

I am returning to Italy in October to teach a one-week workshop and would love to have you join me.  Who knows, you may be inspired by an Italian master too! Click here  to see what you will learn and enjoy while there with me. 

I took this photographic detail and made a black and
​white sketch with markers to start my abstract painting. See below:

Next, I began my painting

The painting began changing into a landscape.
​I couldn't seem to sacrifice the rust color slash of paint in the lower portion of the composition. 

The sacrifice of the rust color slash had to occur,  and I  call the painting completed. 
Fleeting Quality, 20x16, Oil on Canvas, ©Lynn Goldstein, Private Collection
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