Italia 2012 Collage

"Italia 2012", 2012. 16" x 20".
Mixed Media Collage on Canvas.

I recently took 11 students to Italy! We returned a few days ago and had a great trip. We visited Verona, Venice, Florence, Assisi, Rome, Pompei, Sorrento, and Capri! This was my 6th trip to Italy (not including the year I lived there). It was so fun to show my students why I love Italy. I was lucky to show them my old art school, apartment, favorite family restaurant, and I shared my birthday with them in Capri! Here is my collage from the trip. See my other trip collages here.
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Buy this Painting = Send Students to Italy!

My students traveling to Italy this summer collaborated on this group painting, the sales will go towards their trip cost! $1500 for a beautiful piece of art. If interested please contact me.
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Italia Photo Collage

Photo collage of my photos from Capri, Vernazza, and Toscana. Paesi che vai, usanze che trovi.

Food of Italia

Here is a collection of photos I took at almost every meal while in Italy last month. Do I have your mouth watering? Mine is! Prints available for purchase. Click photo to make larger.

Europe Collage

"Europe 2010", 2010.
Mixed media collage on canvas.

Pizzeria Bruno - ONLY Napoli style pizza in SD!

I just recently returned from Italy, it was my 5th time visiting there. I first went when I was 19, then I lived there for a year when I studied abroad in Florence, then I returned in 2004, 2007 and now 2010. Every time I go, I thoroughly enjoy the excellent food, especially the pizza. Needless to say, returning to the US, I was craving true Italian pizza.

If you have never eaten pizza in Italy, you do not know pizza. American pizza can be good, but italian pizza, especially from the south in the Napoli (Naples) area, is superior. Pizza in Naples is made in wood fire ovens at high temperatures, and the result is a chewy crispy crust, with fresh tomato sauce (literally just crushed tomatoes and salt, simple), olive oil and buffalo mozzarella, all drizzled with olive oil.

If I have got your stomach growling, fear not, you don't have to travel to Italy for this experience! Pizzeria Bruno in San Diego opened in December 2009, and it is certified Napoli style pizza! Verace Pizza Napoletana (VPN) arose locally in Naples to preserve and promote high standards of excellence in pizza-making. They have set the gold standard of excellence for serious pizza restaurateurs and “pizzaiolos” (pizza makers) everywhere. Pizzeria Bruno's pizzaiolo is VPN certified!

I just recently ate here and it was EXCELLENT! They only have pizza and some appetizers on the menu, and beer and wines. Simple and quality. The photo above is my Pizza Margherita (ask for it with buffalo mozzarella).

Pizzeria Bruno is located at 4203 Park Blvd, San Diego, CA 92103 (near the Hillcrest DMV and where Park Blvd and El Cajon Blvd meet)
Please go, I HIGHLY recommend it!

Venice Officials vs. Pigeons

The above picture is of me on one of my many trips to Piazza San Marco in Venice, Italy. I always bought corn from the vendors to feed the pigeons. It is such a fun experience.
Recently, Venice City officials want feeding the birds to be finito. They say the birds, with their poop and pecking, are ruining Italy’s art and architecture and harassing tourists and customers. (Officials will kill the birds) But some animal activists are flouting a ban on feeding them! Venetian pirates to the rescue! Read more in this LA Times Article.
Loser in this fight: City Officials. Come on, these birds are one of the unique things about Piazza San Marco, focus on bigger problems like Acqua Alta. -anna

Italy Collage- May 2007

Collage of recent Italy trip. May 2007.