Mimi Torchia Boothby

Peter, an Italian cat – commission

Just finished a commission on a lovely brown tabby cat who lives a great life in a large walled in yard in Italy. Peter is a very friendly cat, having wiggled his way into the hearts of his people. The trick with this portrait is that it had to be opposite a portrait of their…

October 23, 2012

Glory of the Sun – the Sunflower

When Donald Boothby was a very young man, he discovered gardening. He was introduced to it by his foster parents Butch and Sonna Pankey, but when he got out of the service he moved to Boise and planted a great garden full of peppers, tomatoes, corn, and sunflowers. He took pictures of his garden, and…

October 18, 2012

Lion Guard – Monselice

Another wonderful thing about Italy is all the statuary. Outside of a castle, there is a gate. On each side of the gate stands a bigger than life sized lion, standing guard. In case you didn’t know he was the king of beasts, he wears a crown to remind you. I painted this with only…

October 12, 2012

La Giara – Sersale

This is a scene from a large house in Sersale that appears to be abandoned. Two years ago, my cousin Peppino Talarico told me that the Talarico family owned this house many years ago. During my latest visit, my tour guides let me peek inside. How lucky could I get? There was this amazing jar…

October 11, 2012

Piazza Carmela Borelli – Sersale

When a town is over 500 years old, I guess it makes sense for them to be inordinately proud of their uniqueness. Sersale is so proud of this tree, they put it on their coat of arms. During the summer, this tree casts a great deep shadow which cools almost half the piazza. The tree…

October 10, 2012