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Paintings from Italy, 2004, Abbadia Ardenga, Tuscany (below Montalcino)

Six plein air painters, including myself, met at Abbadia Ardenga for a week of intense painting - they came from all over. Three were from California, and one from Singapore. The weather was dramatic to say the least. We experienced a windstorm (hurricane?) that devastated the vines in a strange pattern, and destroyed at least one town in the region. Other days there were thunderstorms that were beautiful to watch, but made it difficult to paint. And then there were a few calm, sunny days. One couldn't ask for more variety.

Abbaia Ardenga is a very old nunnery. The main building, where we stayed, was comfortable but pretty rural - the windows didn't close, so during the storms, our rooms flooded. Everything had to be on our beds to avoid getting wet. But all was arranged to deal with this eventuality - there was a drain in the middle of the room, and the floors slopped down to it. The Abbadia supported itself by making wine and there are numerous out buildings on the property. Today grapes are grown but the wine is made at a nearby property. We drank it every night with dinner.

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