As many of you know, in August of 2019 I halted my activity as a paper sculptor…

But what happened to Giudi and Gianfri on the 8th of August only accelerated a change that had begun in me some moths before and about which I had talked to my sister in July.

I wanted to stop.  In the preceding years, following the birth of Elia in 2014, I had worked hard, finding that there was a lot of enthusiasm and interest on the part of the public…

It was all great but I felt that I needed to stop because my sculptures were losing their strength.

I had acquired competence and technique, but in many ways my creations were diminished.

So I talked with Giudi about a new idea of teaching and sharing what I had learned on my artistic journey…  I was enthusiastic about the idea of a new path where I wouldn’t be the centre but part of a circle…within dedicated art workshops that I would conduct.

Obviously what happened put a hold on all this because taking on management of Nostravita in August 2019 absorbed all my energy and also because this new journey within the winery provided me with many wonderful experiences, including meeting many of you and continuing a story of which I feel deeply a part.

In January 2021, before the beginning of the new season, I slowly started to reclaim my artistic journey, centred in particular on research.

I found, virtually rather than in person, old teachers and colleagues as well as new people who helped to reinvigorate my story.

And this is how I discovered botanical printing, which, since spring, has become a great source of enthusiasm and wonder.

Since I’ve been working at Nostravita, the seasonal cycle has been a continuous enchantment.

I rediscovered a part of myself that I had forgotten and “painting” with natural colours from leaves has been an immense gift.

Many of you who have come by have appreciated my new works and have listened to my stories about ink that I produced from oak galls with the arrival of the first rains of August after four months of drought…

An indelible ink that I produced according to a recipe from 1500.

I hope one day the workshop idea will come to be and that many of you will be part of it…for now I’m happy to have resumed my journey beside the wonderful companion that is Mother Nature, who entices me on walks in our woods where the presence of Giudi sometimes creates magic.

If I’m able to organise it for next season I’d like to have an exhibition right here at Nostravita.