The Story of the Painting

Every year I bring a small group of cooks and travelers to Italy. Often we go to Venice. Why? The list of whys is very long. People think of Venice has “too many tourists”— but the city and its charms are way bigger than that. My favorite person and chef in Venice is Chef Marika Contaldo Seguso. All of my groups have cooked with her in her villa on the Lido. We’ve toured and shopped with her at the great Rialto Market, we’ve boated deep into the outer lagoon to visit where local fisherman set up nets, we’ve explored the outer islands of Torcello & Burano, and have hiked through a vegetable farm island, Vignole, harvesting artichokes and picnicking within the crops. She is the best person you’ll ever (ever) want to know. I learn so much from her and just love to be in her company.

This painting is an impressionist/folk interpretation of Marika. Here we are at the oldest bacaro/wine bar in Venice: Cantina do Mori. Whenever we visit, Marika orders special wines for us and has the proprietor assemble a huge tray of assorted “cicchetti”…it’s one of my favorite “food moments” in Venice.

Follow Marika at https://www.instagram.com/villa_ines_venezia/

Painting available at Galerie Tangerine