Art Bead Scene May 2014 Challenge - It's Italian!

Capriccio Padovano, 1741

by Bernardo Bellatto

Oil on Canvas

19.3" x 28.7" (49 x 73 cm)

This oil painting by Bellatto is so warm, peaceful, and inviting.  I'd love to just step into it.  It's Art Bead Scene's May Challenge inspiration.

 

I pulled a lot of art beads out that would've worked to not only bring in the colors represented, but for the mood and antiquity feel to it as well.  However, I decided to focus on the buildings and bridge lit by the warm sunshine of Italy.  So here's the simply elegant artisan necklace I was inspired to create:

 

I purchased Vicki Lee's focal lampwork bead many moons ago.  It has shades of brown, cream, sage, and the texture and color of the fine silver she sifted on to the hot glass.  I did some beadweaving in a spiral stitch to create the arch that hangs below the art glass bead.  

I was inspired by what Bellatto created when he painted the reflection of the bridge arches.  He created a portal to what could possibly come beyond that bridge.  Bellatto grew up in Venice and something I found to be so much fun about Venice is that it's as much a walking city as a boating city.  Taking a day or two to just go exploring and getting lost up the myriad alleyways while admiring the colors, sounds, architecture and uniqueness of Venice is something I'd like to repeat some day.

 

I hope to do more of the ABS Challenges this summer.  I wonder what painting or artwork ABS will select for June....