I first started doing Paintings of Umbria back in 2002. Tomorrow (27th June) marks the 11th Anniversary of the kidney transplant Susan and I had in 2001 when I gave my wife one of my kidneys. The image of the Hotel Relais il Canalicchio in Umbria brings back memories of the transplant because it was where we stayed for the first overseas trip we were able to make after the operation.
It was in Umbria that Susan really began to appreciate the benefits of a healthy kidney as she was able to walk up and down the various hill top villages we visited around Umbria. Before the transplant she would quickly get out of breath and become exhausted if she walked any distance.
We both really appreciated the benefits of staying at a wonderful hotel with commanding views over the Umbrian countryside, peace and quiet and fantastic food and wine. I purchased some leather bound hand made sketchbooks on this trip, so I was able to some small watercolour Paintings of Umbria. Relais il Canalicchio purchased a watercolour sketch I did of their hotel and from the studies I painted the scene above which has been reproduced as a limited edition print. It has to be one of my favourite paintings of Italy which forms part of my growing Italian collection.