Olive Garden Original Painting
36" x 18" (on 3/4" board) bas-relief & egg tempera

The Olive Garden 36" x 18" Original sculpted bas-relief & egg tempera painting Price: $1,990.00 Quantity:    There is only one in the world, this is the original        Questions? or to purchase email Linda Paul!  or call toll free 1-800-936-9958   go to canvas prints of this painting $249.00 to $649.00

This one of a kind painting arrives ready to hang on your wall,  It is painted on a board that is 36 x 18 x 3/4". The 3/4" sides are painted pale yellow ocher color.  It does not need a frame, however you can frame it later if you wish

This is a sculpture as well as a painting. All of the major elements were sculpted in bas-relief before being painted in pure egg which I make by hand by grinding natural pigments mixed with a touch of egg yolk. I use natural earth ochres that I collect directly from the ancient ochre mines in Italy and France. I use a beautiful natural golds and greens  that come from Italy.  read more about Egg Tempera  

Artist's Inspirations: I have been to Italy several times and one of my favorite places are the olive groves. They are incredibly peaceful and beautiful sanctuaries. I am inspired by the old twisted branches and pale silvery leaves of the olive trees. Many of them are very old, they seem to hold secrets and have stories to tell. I love how the wild poppies and flowers grow with abandon underneath, like an sea of life and beauty. One of my artistic trademarks is to juxtapose sculpted bas-relief products of nature against soft impressionist landscapes of their origins. Its nature and her its bounty.

Here is how this painting was created

 I was thinking of a window overlooking an olive grove with an olive branch hanging down. On the ledge I wanted to place  different kinds of olive oil bottles, flowers and of course my favorite hummingbird had to make an appearance. I love how in Italy the olive groves have wildflowers blooming underneath, so my groves will be dappled with poppies
Sketch

This picture shows the sculpting part of the painting. The main elements I have sculpted in a low bas-relief of about 1/8"

This picture show the painting underway. I start with the sky and laying in beautiful tones of gold ocher and cream. I then paint a soft background of an olive grove with wild poppies growing under the olive trees   I have place a farmhouse on top of the hill. I have just started painting the elements in the foreground; the olive oil bottles, olives, poppy etc

The elements are starting to come to life. I am debating whether to extend the background hillside to go behind the flower vase of sunflowers & hummingbird (who is just a whisper at this point).

I decided that the tall hill and the farmhouse were not working.  So I removed the hill and put in another olive tree. The balance and spirit are much better now.