My love for flowers, plants and gardening is written in my genes: my Grandmum used to be keen on plants and flowers and she taught me how to take care of buds, seeds, cutting and making propagations, since I was a young girl. I was born in Domodossola, the main town of Ossola Valley, a lovely mountain green area situated to the North of Lake Maggiore, Northern Italy, where the scenery offers an array of unrivalled colours.
Ossola Valley, River "La Toce", North West Italy
@Photo by Maurizio Badà
Have you ever heard about the marvellous Botanical Gardens of Villa Taranto on Lake Maggiore, created by the Scottish Captain Neil Mc Eacharn? He brought many thousands of plants, from the far corners of the world.
This beauty has always been a source of inspiration for my botanical boards. My botanical media are watercolour, coloured pencils and graphite. As I have been working at an energy company in Genoa since 2008, I do not have much time for painting, so I can call myself an “enthusiast amateur”.
In April 2017 I had a solo exhibition named “Botanica” at Palazzo Imperiale, a Renaissance building in Genoa. In August 2018 I held an exhibition of “Alpine Plants” in cooperation with a friend of mine who is a chemist, in Domodossola, my hometown.
By the way…as I live in Genoa, Mediterranean flora is my new source of inspiration!
Hope to hear from you soon!
Love
Giovanna
Genoa Nervi, Promenade
@Photo by Giovanna Gatto
I really thank you so much for your appreciation and encouragement.
Hi Giovanna what a lovely story and images. I am sure our members would love to hear more and see your images. Perhaps when you have time you would write an illustrated post fr our front page one day? It's lovely to have you as part of the group and contributing your image to the latest ABBA exhibition. I too love autumn colours on hops. Best wishes and welcome. Elaine the ABBA Team