A Stately Church

Work continues on the rest of the colorful buildings cascading down the rocky precipice leading to the castle.

The stately Church of Santa Margherita d’ Antiochia was constructed by the sea in 1318. According to tradition, the church was built because a wooden box containing the bones of Saint Margaret was found on the beach. But at the time, rather than locate the church by the water, the inhabitants of the town decided to build it in the Isolotto quarter. Soon after completion a strong storm destroyed the church and the relic disappeared. In time the box floated back up on the beach at the original point; the church was rebuilt and still stands by the sea today. The majestic belfry, highlighted by the sun, rises up over 125 feet from its rocky foundation by the harbor.

A terrace overlooks the village of Vernazza. The retaining wall is painted with various mixes of MUD (Ultramarine Blue + Alizarin Crimson) + Ultramarine Blue + Cadmium Orange + White.

The cobblestone floor is blocked in with choppy brushstrokes. The rough texture will give the impression of the ancient stones. Those nearest the base of the wall are made bluer, or cooler, so they will recede.

Perspective lines indicating the crevices between the stones are drawn into the wet paint of the terrace floor.

The floor extends over the edge of the gallery wrap canvas. Having the piece mounted on cardboard makes it easy to handle the wet painting. I lay the entire unit flat on my taboret to paint the bottom of the canvas. If you would like to see the image larger just click on the picture.

Adding large terra cotta containers finish us up for today. Hope you’ll come back to watch the next session, we’ll be planting the flowers! Hugs,

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