Judy Mudd

Twin Steeples

2018

Artist Comments
"The fanciful notion that these blocky residences were carved right out of the side of the cliffs was the impression that inspired this painting," shares artist Joe Giuffrida. He presents a panoramic view of a city on the Amalfi coast. He leaves most of the architecture white to create one large shape that fits like a puzzle piece into the surrounding cliffs and foliage. The space becomes the central highlight of the entire composition against the vibrant shades of enclosing nature.

About the Artist
Artist Joe Giuffrida paints impressionist landscapes frequently balanced with architectural arrangements. His artistic vision diverges from traditional styles depending on the subject at hand. "My creative energy is best developed through being on-site, observing a location, and getting the feel of the environment," says Joe. An expression of what is felt but not necessarily seen flourishes in his work, pushing the limits of color and value beyond what is there. Joe sought mentorship through workshops and college classes, then supplemented his learning by reading books on art techniques. He developed a firm belief in his craft being good through the perception of feeling rather than visuals. Emotional connections hold a crucial part of his creative process, challenging himself to be able to convey his responses while leaving room for the viewer's interpretation. He works in two studios, one for subtle watercolor painting and the other for bold and heavy acrylics and oils - systemized by organized clutter. His work has been featured in American and European publications and displayed in England, Germany, France, and the United States. Outside of painting, he channels his prowess as a musician, spending considerable time learning new guitar music...

Artist Comments
Part of artist Judy Mudd's rural collection, she depicts a white country home covered in the shadows of a large leaf-covered tree. A winding path makes its way ...

Artist Comments
"I wanted to create a painting using a layering technique that would highlight the prominence of the crumbling statues over the moat," shares artist James Nyika...

Artist Comments
Artist James Nyika paints an aerial view of a small village sitting on the ocean. "This picture was a grand exploration of the plan perspective of a scene," say...

Artist Comments
Artist James Nyika depicts a cold January afternoon before a snowstorm near the US Capitol in Washington DC. Glowing in the afternoon light, James captures the ...

Artist Comments
"Bright as a light!" exclaims artist James Nyika. Taking inspiration from a quietly crowded pantheon in Rome, James captures the delightful scene brightly lit under the sun. "When I arrived at this location, I found the square and the sky so beautifully lit by the light of the day. And with very few people around, you could see a lot of the bases of the columns. I wanted to capture the warmth of the sun as it evaporates any lingering dew and 'crispness' of the air."

About the Artist
Artist James Nyika paints the glowing atmosphere of cities across the world. As a child growing up in Kenya, he found art materials at the student bookshop and also borrowed just about every art history volume from the British Council library in Nairobi. "I checked out the same books over and over just to stare at the art, to try and understand how it was created," says James. With family encouragement to study engineering, James moved to the U.S. and immersed himself in science studies at Boston University. Several years after embarking on a tech career, he set a goal to create at least one painting a week, never throwing away any works and learning as much as possible in his off hours. Today, James still balances his full-time career designing large software systems with his prolific output as a painter. "Painting is a great antidote to the regularity of a computing profession and I really value it for the uncertainty that it brings - something frowned upon when writing code."

Words that describe this painting: Pantheon, Rome, monument, columns, tourists, sunlit, sunlight, building, architecture, travel, facade, impressionism, paper, watercolor, architecture, impressionism, travel, watercolor painting, beige

Morning at the Pantheon...