When I lived in St Paul I opened my studio to the public twice a year, I loved the questions people would come up with about my paintings, my path as an artist, the studio I lived in or often, “where did you buy that refrigerator!”. The questions were part of the fun of opening up my live/work studio to the public. I never knew what to expect with each new visitor!

I want those of you reading my blog to conduct an interview. What do you want to know? About me, my paintings, Milan?

Post your questions here in the comments & during the month of March I will post my responses on the blog and also send the first 10 people to post a question, a hand painted post card of Milan.

(email me the address you would like the postcard sent to: dana@danamjohnson.com)

Thanks for reading!

There is a $10 discount if you order Paintings of Western Lake Superior from now to February 27. At the checkout use the code, SAVE10. Thank you to all of you who have already purchased a copy of the book!

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Via Torino, Milano, Watercolor, ink, & watercrayon on paper

Another watercolor & ink from the same day in November.  I moved to another bench in the piazza, and I believe that these are called the Columns of San Lorenzo.  Just throughThe Porta Ticinese Medievale city gate, this great piazza is full of people on sunny days and nice summer or fall evenings.  There are a number of cafes and a few bars near where many people take their drink to the open public space in front of the Basilica.  You can read more about this area on the Tourism Milan website. While I painted this watercolor, I was surrounded by a family of Italian tourists rapidly asking questions in Italian with a video camera aimed at my face and painting!  Then a wobbling drunk guy asked to borrow 5 cents, and at least two people tried to sell me roses.  I never know what is going to happen when I am working in public.

I painted this in November sitting in the piazza by Porta Ticinese Medievale in Milan.  Even through December there have been sunny days warm enough to comfortably sit in the parks or piazzas.  The visit Milano website writes that this arch was part of the city walls and originally built in 1171.  Then destroyed and later restored in the 19th Century with the arches being opened again in 1861.  It is amazing, the history that lies within a “modern city” such as Milan.

My studio area is small but has nice windows and light, on the table you can see an almost finished watercolor, ink and watercrayon painting of Milan.  It is the view from walking towards the city center on Via Torino, looking towards Café Saint George and the church towers behind.  The city was very lively around the shopping areas before the holiday.  Now the streets are bit more relaxed with everyone moving a little slower to admire the storefront windows and latest styles.

Watercolor and water crayon on paper, 12×18″, 140lb Fabrino paper

I love the colors that appear on a rainy day, yesterday was a beautiful rainy day in Milan. With colorful trams rushing by, holiday shoppers running over wet cobblestones and decorative star lights swinging above the streets.

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Happy holidays! Thank you for reading, Dana