Painting Pictures around the World from A to Z

“Every painting is a voyage into a sacred harbour.” ~ Giotto di Bondone

This is my little art studio where most of my artwork and “dreaming of traveling through the world” comes from.

I have never been that person who had the time or money to be able to travel the world. I think about it all the time, and currently I am dreaming of it every day.

Sometimes I would dream about when I would arrive there, somewhere around the world, where my senses would ignite, eyes wide open in wild amazement and curiosity. and after a long day of soaking up another culture, I would settle in at night, feet sore and head full, happily exhausted and overwhelmed and alive with new experiences. Creating my own history as I log my experiences on to my blank postcards and paint up some little scenes I’ve encountered throughout the days adventure and send them out to those back home.

Sometimes too exhausted to even come up with full sentences of all the adventures I have experienced that day. If only....

Well… a few years ago something has sparked my interest. I joined in on this monthly destination painting contests where you would travel through GoogleMaps, drop down to Streetview, paint a targeted scene and submit your digital work along with others from all over the world. I loved this idea and could not wait to jump on board. While I would virtually travel through these far away places and find just the right scene, I would try to imagine I was really there, on the side of that road with my easel and palette all set up. Up the block a bit would be the local coffee shop I could settle in for some fresh espresso, and people watch and eavesdrop bits and pieces of passerby’s even if I didn’t understand. Oh to just sit on the side, take a break from my art to enjoy some fresh Gelato, or better yet, check into one of those off the beaten path hotels that are only cooled with a ceiling fan and opened windows with only shutters. Later on go to the market for some fresh local fish and fruits.

Painting on Lake Lefferts, Ravine Drive, Matawan, NJ

But, here I am, live and work in a small town in Matawan, NJ. I run a small art studio here, which has been very busy this summer. I continue to take the time as a Regional Artist also. I do appreciate the little town I live in and the kind, caring and friendly people who live here. I will be heading back to teaching art at Marlboro Elementary in September and I am very proud of this. When the time allows, I try to let my students know about all the countries that I have “visited” and continue to make my way around the world.

It is pretty simple how this all started. What came to mind about a year ago, is that I wanted to continue to take those far away trips around the world through my art. I shared my ideas and with great excitement discussed the idea with others, those “what if” kind of questions. “What if?” “What if I continued to paint scenes around the world through GoogleMaps (cause I really enjoyed that) but put a bit of an adventurous twist to it?” Then continued to add, “What if I did a little research on these places that I chose to paint?” (Because I am curious about places I don’t know anything about.) “What if I collected enough paintings to create an Art Around the World, Adventure Coffee Table Book or art show?” “What if after I painted my scene of a place around the world, I actually sent it to the address above the street view screen?” So there is the address above the google maps sights, staring right at me. I thought of it as a big reverse post card, if there is such a thing. What if random people around the world were presented with a surprise gift of art? Do others really care or appreciate or get all excited with emotions with the gift of art as I do? There is a good chance that the answer is no. But with a project like this, it’s about taking chances. That is what makes it all the more exciting to me. Knowing that the reaction might not work according to my ideal plan. Another question to ask myself is, where would I start? What place would I go to first. There are so many wonderful places around the world, the world is so big. But yet, as this time has passed, and paintings have been painted, sights I have explored and people I have connected with, it is oh so very small. Where would I start? “It’s always best to start at the beginning” as Glinda the good witch would say. What is the beginning? The beginning to me could be the letter A. That’s it! I will paint my way around the world through the Alphabet. At least there will be a beginning and an end. Wow, in my busy life, I now gave birth to a new-born baby project. What a long-term commitment.

At first I thought I would just jump into StreetView and whatever scene I happened upon I would make the best of it and just chose a scene in that surrounding area. But quickly realized that it took way too much time in what I call “shimmying” down the streets of a foreign country. “Shimmying” is fun at first, for 10 minutes tops, but can become very daunting, time-consuming, hard on the eyes experience. A bit of research and some spontaneous imagination is what I need to do. I started with Australia because after looking into some of the “A” countries, it was visible on StreetView, It is easy to navigate and get around and understand addresses and businesses. I googled Novelty Structures at first. Something big and fun and funky. I remembered wanting to do research on Novelty Structures in the past and thinking of doing a unit about architecture at work. I need to have something in specific to google in Australia. So I googled “Australia Novelty Structure” and found this little site that listed BIG THINGS in Australia. Big Things in Australia. My other artist friend painted the Big Apple. I chose the Big Olive. So that is how I found my first Interactive Artist Adventure Project sight. And I am so happy I did. Eventually before I even heard back from The Big Olive and went on to B for Belgium. The excitement for my new project was in high gear. I did not take all that much time to learn too much about Australia at that point because I wanted to just get on with the painting and sending part. I googled “Belgium Chocolate Coffee Shop”. Because that night, I was actually craving an espresso with some kind of black and white cookie. Then through Google I was able to narrow down what scene I want to come up with. Another thing I just realized that has been very helpful, ideally they need to have an active FB page. That helps a lot. That’s where the interactive part comes in. I did not do that for The Big Olive at first but luckily they did have one.

So let’s back up a bit. I forgot to mention about my next “What if” question. What if, when I finally find a scene that I want to paint, found an address to send it to, either on top of the page or alongside the building or business next door, or through a little research, the painting comes with a note explaining why they are receiving this painting surprise.

I quickly scribbled down on my pad…”Hello….I am an artist from Matawan, NJ who is simply making connections throughout the world through technology and art”.

Well that is a decent, simple and honest start.

There is no money involved, all I ask of you is to take a picture in front of the scene, holding my painting to show it has been received, and post it on my Facebook @InteractiveArtistAdventure project page, just to confirm that I have made my connection.

So far the connections have all been more than positive ones. The people around the world are fantastic and so willing to comply. The smiles I have collected so far are my treasures. So get this, not only am I personally making connections around the world but all those who are cooperating are also connecting with others from around the world. What kind of connection? A visual happy one. A peaceful positive surprise. From the entire world, knowing that you were chosen to share your smile and a thought. Making your own moment in history and to become part of a small personal project that is actually being shared around the world. You also have the chance to make your own statement when having your picture taken and sharing it. I wonder what it feels like to have this surprise package sent to you in the mail like that?

It is hard to explain this project in short. So far I have mailed to Australia, Belgium, Croatia, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Japan and currently having a hard time choosing between So. Korea and KwaZulu-Natal, Africa. I have not received a photo confirmation from Estonia, France and Germany. Well that’s less than half. Not enough for me to lose my enthusiasm.

So to end this page I will ask you, Will you follow along with me making connections around the world through technology and art? It is so much more fun when others look in and wait for that happy photo response back.

Don’t worry, ill do all the work. Thank you for reading all the way through and since you made it to the very end, would you please check out the company that sells my prints? You can see all my art together in one place.

http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/maria-milazzo.html?tab=artwork

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A is for Australia

Posted by Maria in Paint it Forward: Interactive Artist Adventure Project

Australia is really large, its about the same size as the USA. For example, traveling from Sydney to Perth (East Coast to West Coast) is about the same as traveling from New York to Los Angeles. Also Australia’s population is significantly less than America’s (the whole of Australia has about the same number of people living in it as the state of Texas).

From New Jersey to Tailem Bend SA, this painting traveled 10,560 miles and successfully made it to its destination and they replied with a beautiful photo response.

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This being my very first Paint it Forward picture, I decided to look for a Novelty Structure. I believe I just googled Novelty Buildings and came up with this listing of all the fun and funky buildings and sculptures that are noted in Australia. Australia’s Big Things List. It was fun to browse through and see them all. Not sure what brought me to :The Big Olive: Perhaps it caught my eye as being unique and off beat. It seemed easy enough and I was really excited to get the first one going. Not sure if I need to explain this but, when I take something that has nothing to do with me, or my the life around me, yet it catches my attention enough that I want to capture it within my own artwork, I am using my time, my efforts, my paints and thoughts..I start to make certain connections. Connections enough that the object or scenery that once had nothing to do with me, all of a sudden becomes part of my own personal history. I want to know all I can about it. A little history about :The Big Olive: Company. There is a certain connection that I make where now I own a certain embodiment. (not sure if that is the correct use of the word)

The statement at the end of the history video of The Big Olive, the manager Jo Hani says, “Our Commitment is the Essence to our Success.” I think we can all relate to that. It made me think for the moment and realize how important that statement is for all things. I have not done it yet, But I think I will purchase a bottle of that liquid gold. I will let you know when I do.

6/8/2014 A little Boomey and some Aussie Shrimp on the Barbie With Orange Ginger Sauce was the perfect PrePaint Celebration Where Matawan meets Australia

If you like this painting and are interested in purchasing a print or a greeting card you may do so by clicking here.

Prints and Cards Here

“Hello from Tailem Bend South Australia, we thank you for the painting.” July 25, 2014

the big olive, maria, milazzo, australia, young at art studio, matawan, nj usa, paint it forward, interactive art adventure

This is The Big Olive.com in Australia, Tailem Bend SA.. and this is their website

http://www.bigolive.com.au/about-our-olive-oil/about-our/

http://alldownunder.com/australian-food/index.html