Far Niente Still Life with Grapes

“Far Niente Still Life with Grapes”
Watercolor on Arches 300pd rough paper

A favorite piece of mine which opened a whole new art world... more

by Misha Ambrosia

Title

Far Niente Still Life with Grapes

Artist

Misha Ambrosia

Medium

Painting - Watercolor On Arches 300pd Rough Paper

Description

“Far Niente Still Life with Grapes”
Watercolor on Arches 300pd rough paper

A favorite piece of mine which opened a whole new art world for me! I was a” foodie” and a “winie” in the 90’s, and this love of gastronomic delights flowed into my art.

This painting started off a whole new series for me especially since it sold for a lot of moola and got me “far” into the advertising side of the artworld! I actually overpriced “Far Niente Still Life with Grapes” in an art show so I could place it in another art show which was more prestigious. To me and my husband’s amazement, it sold!

Then, I placed this art work image on my business cards and traded this business card with a wine glass salesman (he was smoking a wonderful-aroma cigar and I-smoking those little skinny Capri cigarettes.) We began to talk about our “smokes” at the New Orleans Food and Wine Experience.

This small little trade of business cards and excellent conversation eventually led to a signed contract with a Napa Valley advertising agency who commissioned me to paint a still life image with a wine bottle for each these Napa Valley wineries: Far Niente, Chateau Montelena, Shramsburg and Robert Mondavi.

Wow! Right…My husband and I were able to tour these wineries and obtain lots of bottles of wine to use for the artwork (I only needed one bottle-but who am I to complain about 5-6 bottles like we received from Chateau Montelena.)

The most incredible feeling for me was this: there are LOTS of talented artists who live in wine country, California, etc., but I was chosen-a girl from New Orleans-an honor I tell you!!!!

These wine-themed still life’s were printed on paper napkins and used in the winery tasting rooms as well as sold to premium department stores.

Today, the agency is no more and so are the napkins. As the saying goes…”all good things must come to an end….” But, I still have one of the bottles of Chateau Montelena and Far Niente-they are aging…(Grin)

Congratulations, Misha! Delighted to tell you that you have been selected as a Spotlight Artist of the month of January 2023 and that your stunning painting Far Niente Still Life with Grapes, is being featured on the Homepage of the Classic Still Life Artwork Group. Thank you for being part of this Group and for sharing your fabulous artwork with us...

Tied for 2d place in the Alcohol Bottles and Cans contest...yay clap clap clap... January 24, 2023
2nd Place Prize Wine Making Contest Feb 22, 2024...yay clap clap clap!!!

Uploaded

January 23rd, 2020