Paradiso in Pastel ~ Spectacular Umbria in December

Paradiso, Assisi

Umbria, Italy

December 2012

Villa in Paradiso

Pastel on sanded, mounted Wallace paper

At breakfast, in my cute little hotel in Assisi, I met my new friend Nick. (Nick is the one who joined me for my birthday/cooking lesson dinner.) Well, anyway, Nick and I got to talking over our morning cappuccinos, about how I wanted to take artists to Umbria to do plein air pastels. When I said this, his eyes got big, and he said he knew of what could possibly be the perfect place … in a place called Paradiso.

He introduced me to Valeria, the contessa who owned the place, and the three of us ended up driving out there. It was just North-East of the old town of Assisi. 

Her place was on a hill and upon exiting the car, I felt like I had taken a ride to visit heaven, for the afternoon. There are two main structures on the property. That's Nick, above, in front of the main house. 

A little music for the visit …

The mist on the valley below, made it all the more magical. It made me think of a magical place like Avalon, as we stood there on that glorious December day. It couldn't have been more perfect.

Love is a portion of the soul itself,

and it is of the same nature as the celestial breathing 

of the atmosphere of paradise.

~Victor Hugo

Looking into the studio, workroom area ...

Her master bedroom ...

Paradise is open
to all kind hearts.
~Pierre Jean de Beranger

I loved her ceramic Mary so much, I decided to do a pastel of her …

Our Lady, in Umbria

Pastel on Uart paper

Looking up at the converted barn/farmhouse ...

Look familiar? I recently posted this pastel, below, of this little building. (Little is relative, because I could fit my apartment in there, at least three times!) Love the stonework ...

Umbrian Farmhouse

Pastel on Wallace paper

Looking back at the main house ...

Inside the farmhouse ...

 

Yes, Paradiso is the perfect name for this beautiful place, nestled in magical Umbria.

Life is a paradise

for those who love things

with a passion.

~ Leo Buscalgia

Leaving, I hoped I would return to this piece of heaven. I have since learned from Valeria that she has sold the property. It makes me sad but I'm hoping the new owner will maybe turn it into a place one can visit! 

In this photo, below, you can see the house in the distance. Sigh.

Heading back to Assisi … the Rocca Maggiore, on the hill.

After our visit to Paradiso, we headed to the main piazza for some food.

On Pizza Commune, there is a fantastic little wine and food shop, Bottega dei Sapori, where you can order up these wonderful antipasti of meats, cheeses and mushrooms … Oh my word! So yummy!!! Nick just asked Fabrizio to give us a combination of things, and it was all delicious! 

I have to say, I don't usually eat meats like this, here in the States, but there … it's spectacular.

I still can't believe that, in another week, this will have been a year ago!

Paradise is always
where love dwells.
~Jean Paul Richter


Hope you are enjoying a beautiful December!
Blessings and light!