Anatomy of a Painting : Whispers on the Canal

Intention, throwing in the towel, coming full circle

Apr 27, 2025

As much as I hate to admit this, there is no honest way to plan or problem-solve a piece of art other than to get in there and do it. Get over yourself, mix the paint, grab your brushes, and just lay down some marks.

But instead, I find myself taking notes, journaling about my spiritual life, reading articles, and looking through art books. And possibly shopping for handbags online. I won't share which of these tasks I spend more time on. BUT I am looking for a large, slouchy leather tote.*

I procrastinate in the name of art remarkably well.

There is an upside to not rushing the creative process, though. Sometimes, slowing down the pace allows you to explore what truly needs to emerge from you within your creative process.

It turns out that this series I set for myself has evolved into ‘Mining A Singular Perspective,’ which is something I discussed in an old post.

"Instead of sounding like others, value your own voice.

Develop it. Cherish it.

The reason to make art is to innovate and self-express, show something new, share what's inside, communicate your singular perspective." -Rick Rubins.

The intention for Whispers from the Canal, was to extend this mark-making and atmosphere of Wisteria. I felt compelled to fill the canvas with memories from my arrival on my first trip to Venice, Italy. This seemed like a good intention.

I approached the composition with no distinguishable horizon, which reflected my view from the apartment I rented overlooking the Grand Canal.

I walked into my apartment** and could not believe I had found this place; it was an elegant, petite masterpiece near the Fortuny Palace with a view of the Rialto Bridge. ***

Armed with my memories, I began to paint, I wanted water, movement, and color. I started out laying down marks and found myself adding colors I knew were not strongly present in Venice. There isn’t much leafy green in this city of water.

Was I dipping into old habits? I had just begun, and it felt like I had quickly lost my way.

I stepped away for a bit, and for some reason, I became restless about the piece. I knew I wasn’t painting my memories of the light and water; I was attempting to paint a shift that had occurred within myself.

Sketches ensued, and in a heated moment of internal dialogue****, I painted a large female across the entire painting. What!? And Why? Don’t ask, I don’t know what possessed me, and this isn’t the first time I have done this. If you own one of my works, there just might be a body hiding underneath the paint.

To add to my chagrin, I even added a second female to the canvas.

At this point, working alone can take its toll, with no one in the office to blame for what felt like were big missteps.

I took a deep breath, slept on it (again) and finally, experience had paid off in my process. I woke up, laughed and thought, these ladies are here for a reason. I’ll keep just bits of them and let them guide me home.

And that’s precisely what they did, the painting suddenly became vivid and energetic. It became hopeful, exciting.

This trip, which I took alone, was initially driven by a desire to see Venice, as I was born in Vicenza, a nearby city, and had never returned. I was also taking a two-week course on Contemporary Art during the Venice Biennale. These reasons looked fairly reasonable on paper, but in my heart, it was much deeper, and I felt it as soon as I opened the shutters and looked over the water and saw the boats working their way through the canal.

I was longing for something I couldn’t put to words, and somehow knew I was on the path to something more, in my life, in my art, in my spirit. I was investing in myself and my future self.

Like every good movie, the story unfolds over time. There are triumphs and setbacks, as well as moments of recognition that keep you steady. Whispers from inside your heart that take on a life of their own, that prod you along when you are hesitant, and encourage you when you step onto the right path.

I do believe the ladies pointed this out to me.

“Whispers from the Canal” is part of the new release

Giardino: Narratives from the Garden.

If you haven’t seen both our recent collections at 3 Gables Studios, which is the project space for artists Monica Lee Rich and Michael Rich.

Ciao! Monica Lee Rich

*If I could get paid for my nuanced procrastination in the name of art, let me tell you, I’d have my eye on a bag from The Row, instead of Massimo Dutti. And no, I have not purchased it…just “studying it”

**You can find a pretty nice place in August when it's 100+ degrees in Italy. ** Thank goodness this lovely place had air conditioning.

***After my ~~famous~~ expensive taxi ride in the sexiest maghongy boat that you have ever seen, only to have the young boat driver break the handle of my new luggage and drop me off at the wrong dock. But still, I was not deterred!

****It’s quite a conversation in there, you win some and you lose some.

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