An image of the soul

An Image from the soul




Molise's rich tapestry of colour is an inspiration to any but anyone who wields a paintbrush or a pen will know that the essence of expression comes from within.

A few days ago I met Amelia, she hails from the regional city of Campobasso, where she paints in a small room in her city apartment.

Her art although only a hobby displays a great deal of talent. Questioning her about her art she said she grew up fascinated by colour. Her earliest memories are of playing with coloured bottles as a child.

With even a brief glimpse at her art, her fascination with vibrant colour is evident.


She has a taste for the exotic, which is quite enchanting. A few years ago when her life changed quite significantly she began to explore her inner self. Talking openly about the journey she undertook to discover herself she is now able to illustrate these feelings on the canvas.

Trees also figure hugely in her work, and this she says is an interpretation of her desire to stay rooted in a world she knows. 
Her use of colour is once again very clear, and the detail in the trees show the depths of her feelings

Painted over a number of years her portfolio is fairly extensive. The cacophony of colours with which she works are uplifting, and certainly a rich feast for both the eye and the soul.

Still working full time as a teacher Amelia has little time to paint but one hopes that with this degree of talent when she has more time she will be able to explore her art further adding more colour to the world.

If you are interested in finding out more about Amelia's art you can contact her directly on FACEBOOK, and she will be working with me, displaying her work at some of my exhibitions and events this year.Amelia Piscolla Amyarte

A year in Molise

I realised today that I have lived in Molise for a year, and although life has certainly thrown up some challenges I am so happy to be here.

There are several reasons why I LOVE MOLISE.

                                                               THE COUNTRYSIDE

                                      THE HILLTOP VILLAGES LIKE CASTELPIGNANO

                                                       THE PRETTY OLD VILLAGES

                                                        THE ANCIENT TRADITIONS

The first one, certainly the most compelling one is the countryside surrounding my home here in the midst of hills and mountains. From my balcony, I can see the Matese mountains to the right and the Tremiti Islands on the Adriatic to my left.

The Tremiti Islands ...but not as close as this!

Most days only about ten cars pass the house on the road below, as well as the local buses which rumble pass three times a day.

Now sitting at my computer I can hear Maud my little brown hen clucking way, birds chirping joyfully and the leaves on the vine rustling in the breeze.

As it is a hot afternoon my five dogs have crashed out in the shade. They keep me fit walking them everyday, which here is a joy here. I can walk for miles without seeing anyone.

In Molise despite global weather patterns the seasons are well defined. In summer it is hot, although here on my little hill a usually gentle wind keeps the warm air moving.

In Autumn the trees, which are mostly Oak turn to yellow, gold and brown, creating a carpet across the track and in front of the house.

 In the winter there is often a lot of snow, but usually, life just carries on, although this year was a bit of an exception as there was several metres in places.

At night I often sit on the veranda above the house listening to the crickets singing under a blanket of stars.

Campobasso, the capital city of the region is only thirty minutes drive and provides with most of the things I need.  

The Adriatic coast with its sparkling blue water, and soft white sand is about half an hour away too, so if I  was driven by a desire to roast ( At this time of year it is about 35 - 40 degrees c) I could visit one of the many beaches nearby.

However, it is really the mountains are where my heart lies. Only a few months ago I strolling through the forest in the snow taking pictures of purple Crocuses and Gentian.

Then, of course, there are the local people. As soon as I moved in I was welcomed by the local people.

My closest neighbours have been wonderful. They welcomed me into their home with open arms, and have helped me out on so many occasions with so many things, as well as extending frequent invitations for me to eat with them.

My plan to visit all 138 villages in the region to write about them is well underway. I have invitations to festivals and businesses across the region, and I hope to get more. Everyone is so proud of their town or village, and they certainly have a lot to share.

Travelling further afield into Campobasso I have met so many interesting people from doctors and psychologists to architects and teachers, and have made so many friends of all ages.

Although is hard to find work here, I would not want to be anywhere else .

Molise .. I LOVE YOU

Molise Just Art: A Dancing Star

Molise Just Art: A Dancing Star: Friedrich Nietzsche  said, " You must have chaos within you to give birth to a dancing star.”   Molise, a star hidden in the ch...

A Dancing Star

Friedrich Nietzsche said, "You must have chaos within you to give birth to a dancing star.” 

Molise, a star hidden in the chaos of the universe. 

As one of the smallest regions in Italy, it suffers from a lack of funding for art projects. Almost nobody even knows the area exists, even in Italy 

I LOVE MOLISE..... and I want to help to put it on the map using art and culture as a medium to promote intercultural exchange and sustainable tourism

 That is why I am proud to be part of a newly created association called RES PUBLICA .

We want to tell the world about the talented artists, photographers, sculptors, musicians, dancers, actors and craftsman living and working here.

Our goal is to foster international creative exchange, deepen understanding across cultures, and create ties between artists and communities and their international counterparts .

International art exchange is fundamental because it creates an environment for genuine compromise and conciliation, enhances the education of all citizens, fosters tolerance of diverse cultures within our country, and prepares us to contribute both artistically and economically within the global society. A valuable cultural exchange is mutual and offers the opportunity for deeper and prolonged commitment between artists and encourages responsible global citizenry.  

That ability to bring together people together through art becomes especially important in culturally and economically deprived areas like Molise.

 Art is an important channel through which history, culture, and self-expression are taught. It challenges people to think beyond themselves, beyond their own experience, and beyond what is considered to be the social norm.

We provide both exchanges, residencies and even simply the opportunity to work in or explore the region throughout the year for both adults and children

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 How do you express your art? 

• People
• Landscapes 
• Space
• Heritage, 
• Nostalgia
• Politics 
• Religion
• Contemporary culture
• Indigenous art and culture
• cross-cultural exchange
• The cosmo, the sea and land

Let us know about your art, and work with us to encourage Molise;s art  to flourish just like it's flowers

“Well, art is art, isn't it? Still, on the other hand, water is water! And east is east and west is west and if you take cranberries and stew them like applesauce they taste much more like prunes than rhubarb does. Now, uh... now you tell me what you know.”
― Groucho Marx

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