The magic power of the lake Michigan

December 20, 2016December 20, 2016 | raffaellaperego

It’s Christmas time and here in Memphis the snow hasn’t showed yet. It’s cold but no snow, no ice on the road, no hat and gloves. In Wisconsin everything is different… and guess what…. I miss it!! I wrote this post since I would like to tell you something more about me and show you some connections between pictures of the Lake Michigan and the paintings I did when I lived there. I hope you will recognize the connections . Just a curiosity : Lake Michigan is the third largest Great Lake by surface area and the sixth largest freshwater lake in the world. The water surface area is 22,300 sq. miles/57,800 sq. km. It’s HUGE!!

I was very passionate about my Italian job as a restorer and decorator, every time I started a new project my adrenaline started to rush. A new project means knowing new material surfaces, new cities, new collaborations and new experiences .

When we left that Christmas for our American adventure ( Milwaukee, Wisconsin) I temporarily closed my Italian business and it wasn’t easy at all. I was worried to lose what I have done in my life. Of course it wasn’t true but I was scared.

What motivated me? What gave me strength again?

One of the most special and most exciting and different things that I had ever experienced: the cold, the snow, the wind which takes away your breath and that frozen lake…they created a surreal moment that opened my eyes and heart looking for the emotional responses.

I found the passion there… .

Michigan lake, 24×48 enamel on mdf

the invisible city, 24×48 enamel on mdf

Winter in Winsconsin V, 24x48 enamel on mdf

Winter in Winsconsin V, 24×48 enamel on mdf

Winter in Wisconsin II, 24x48 enamel on mdf

Winter in Wisconsin II, 24×48 enamel on mdf

Winter in Winsconsin III, 24x48 enamel on mdf

Winter in Winsconsin III, 24×48 enamel on mdf

Winter in Winsconsin IV, 24x48 enamel on mdf

Winter in Winsconsin IV, 24×48 enamel on mdf

Winter in Winsconsin I, 24x48 enamel on mdf

Winter in Winsconsin I, 24×48 enamel on mdf

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Chess inside,24×48 enamel on mdf

“My new heart”

September 16, 2016November 7, 2016 | raffaellaperego

This is my very first post and I have to admit that I’ m a little anxious… but the story I will tell you is special,because there is something magical inside.

It’s about “My new heart“, one of my favorite paintings.

I lived in Milwaukee, lately it was a difficult time for me, really confusing… but this painting was born in one afternoon in June after I found out I was pregnant with my second little boy. I was waiting for my second pregnancy for a long time without success.

Excitement, euphoria and in the end serenity. I was alone and I needed to tell how I felt to somebody. I ran to my studio and I painted… As always, the painting was the best listener.
In a multitude of colored space and lines My new red heart was the best character and it won. It was new, strong and humbling.

Then I posted the picture on facebook and a few weeks later I received a request from a woman who lives in Italy for buying “My new heart”. I was so proud of this painting that it affected someone so deeply who wanted to buy it.

I told her why I painted it, and she with confidence, told me that in the time between she saw the painting and she wrote me that she became pregnant also for the first time.

I like the idea that it wasn’t a coincidence, maybe in this painting there is something special, there is real love and a magical power. At least it was for two people.

Bye bye painting, being the best character on your new wall and bringing luck.

How a wall design is created

October 19, 2015October 28, 2016 | MauiAddicted

In this post I would like to show you the steps for creating a new wall design. I created this design in an Italian restaurant in Memphis. The owners, Yvette and Giampaolo, are Italians (their saying is Never Give Up, I love them!) and one year ago they decided to open this restaurant: Crazy Italians. They already had the idea of the wall design (1) and a picture of the subject. They wanted a decoration with words: Italian words, their translations in English and their pronunciations. They wanted something handmade, not just stickers.

First I showed them some examples in proportion where I changed the position of the words together. Also I prepared some examples of color. Always consider the balance and proportion of the design.

To me its important leaving everything clean after my work, so i take time to protect everything around my working space.

Then I printed the words in the actual size and I began using the technique of Dusting. It is an ancient painting technique that allows you to bring a drawing on the surface of the wall. Once the words were dusted I transferred them to the wall.

Next I started to prepare the colors. Everything was ready and I began to connect the outlines of the words with a brush. Then I painted the words.

The steps are completed!

P.S. I take time to describe the process of dusting. First drawing or printing your design on the paper, then take a needle and prick holes on the outline of the design. Next create a small bag with gauze and place the pigment inside the bag. Choose the gauze so the pigment can pass thru. Next step is to dust the pigment thru the holes of the paper onto the surface. Now the design is on the wall. Connect the holes with a brush and start painting.