Ischia

By Jenny Adam in Ischia, Italy

The IV° Naples Urban Sketching Workshop took place on Ischia Island,
in and around Castello Aragonese. The tourist season was mostly over by
mid October and the setting was superb- picturesque, peaceful but not
too smooth. The family owned castle was a treasure, with its own garden,
labyrinthic paths and beautiful views. Simo organized the event, did a
lovely workshop,as did Caroline Peyron and Kelly Medford.

The
castle still houses the studio of Gabriele Mattera, the castle
owner/painter. It has been left in its original condition since Mattera´s
death ten years ago. Caroline Peyron encouraged us to do collage in her
workshop and we tried to recreate the shapes and colours in the oil
paintings standing in his atelier.

 I was fascinated by the huge pile of
brushes that was left behind. Nowadays his children continue to manage
the Castle, which is a tourist attraction and houses cafés, a restaurant
and a hotel.