"View from the New Town" 6x8" oil on linen mounted on board, with light-colored, custom-built wooden floater frame.

This painting brings back great memories from my trip to Italy in 2017. I ate so much pasta in Italy, insane amounts of scrumptious carbs. Luckily, all of this gluttony was balanced out by lots and lots of walking, carrying my 20+ pound easel. One day I wandered across the bridge over the ravine that led to the new part of town. Another seasoned artist had suggested I try a certain terrace that had a good overlook. I found it, and I painted this small study, "View from the New Town." Just as I finished painting it, and had cleaned up my brushes, a bird flew over me and pooped on the painting. I wondered if the bird was expressing some harsh critique, or if perhaps, in Italy, this was a sign of appreciation (for birds, anyway.) Either way, I didn't feel like I wanted to get my brushes dirty again, so I just rubbed the poop in with my finger. In my opinion, this Italian bird poop is added value…or at any rate, an interesting story. You would never be able to tell, looking at the painting. But now you know!