"Lake Annecy Jewel"

Original Oil on Canvas - 24" x 36" - $2400

Even from a distance as the boat moved closer and closer, I knew that I would be experiencing something very special.  As we slowed, from only a few hundred feet, the visual transformation peaked. The afternoon sun provided just the right lighting; intensifying the extreme contrasts between bright light and dark shadows and accenting the brilliant colors presented by the scene before me.  The artistic inspiration was immediate.    

'Chateauvieux' (or Château de Duingt) is located on the west bank of Lake Annecy in Southern France.  The magnificent castle sits on a peninsula, which juts out into the lake from the small village of Duingt. The structure dates back to the 11^th century.

 Of all the many breathtaking sites along Lake Como in Northern Italy, from Villa Carlotta to Bellagio to a multitude of spectacular private properties, this lovely villa and it's awesome landscape was my personal favorite.  The water view from every angle was simply stunning. So much so that I had a difficult time deciding on which angle to use for my painting. My choice was based on the position of the sun and it's impact on the structure and property as well as the imposing façade of the architecture itself.

Villa Balbianello was built by Cardinal Angelo Maria Durini (1725-1796) at the end of the 18th century.  It is known for its picturesque gardens, which exclusively feature flowers and trees the colors of the Italian flag: green, white and red.  It has one of the most enchanting views of the lake and surrounding hills. The villa has had many owners throughout the centuries.  It was completely renovated by it's last private owner; the famed explorer, Guido Monzino renowned for climbing Mount Everest in 1973.  Currently, the villa belongs to F.A.I. – the Italian equivalent of the National Trust.

"Villa at Lake Como"

Original Oil on Canvas - 24" x 36" - $2400

"Gateway to the Alps"

Original Oil on Canvas - 24" x 36" - $2400

 What a pleasant surprise this charming little town in the heart of Switzerland turned out to be. Just a rest stop along the highway traveling toward Bern, Interlaken provided spectacular views of the Swiss Alps and traditional architecture.  Like all of Switzerland, the village was spotlessly clean and the air was cool and refreshing.   This particular view at the entrance to the town provided the very best of everything that Interlaken had to offer with spectacular colors of the spring garden, the bright green field, the rays of the morning sun strong on the face of the buildings and of course the snow covered peaks of the mountain range.

Interlaken is a small resort town in central Switzerland situated between Lake Brienz and Lake Thun in the first range of the Bernese Alps.  Tourism is the major industry.  Originally the site of an Augustinian convent (founded in 1130), Interlaken was virtually unknown until the 19^th century, when interest in the Alps began to draw tourists to the area.

Innsbruck was a delight. The setting in the heart of the eastern Alps along with the architecture and ambiance of the old town section of the city made it a place where I could definitely spend more time. My painting is a view from the historic bridge over the river that gave the city its name. I particularly liked the atmosphere presented by the ominous sky.

Innsbruck is located in western Austria and is noted as an important tourist and winter sports resort having hosted the 1964 and 1976 Winter Olympics. Because of the bridge, Innsbruck became a key point along the trade routes to Germany from Italy and Switzerland by the 12th century.

"Innsbruck from River Inn Bridge"

Original Oil on Canvas - 24" x 36" - $2400

 Perhaps the most breathtakingly beautiful country that I have ever seen was traveling between Innsbruck, Austria into the mountains of Bavaria in Southern Germany.  The splendor of the small villages in valleys surrounded by plush green hills and snow capped peaks was never ending. 

This view, worthy of post card consideration, was from the window of 'Neuschwanstein' castle built in the early 1800's as a retreat by the very eccentric "Mad" King Ludgwig.  The castles exterior fairy tale design served as a model for the Disney castles. The interior contained many works of art, artifacts and elaborate furnishings of the time.