our friend Alberto

by Sharon Santoni

We have had a lot of fun things happen in our garden,  children’s tea parties, grown-up’s dinner parties, treasure hunts, Easter egg hunts, pony races, three legged races, three-legged pony races (no I’m kidding) charity lunches, Christmas fairs …..   but of them all, I hold a very special place in my heart for the days when our friend Alberto came to paint.
impressionist painting of a house in blues and greens

When Alberto came to paint I would pull weeds, fix garden furniture, brush the dog …. anything that meant I could spend as much time as possible in the garden watching his pictures grow, and listening to him chat about everything and nothing in particular in his delicious rolling Brazilian accent.
painting in the garden

Watching any artist paint is  hypnotic, and Alberto’s colourful, busy, Brazilian style is particularly fascinating.
bright, impressionistic painting of the house and gardens
He’d turn up on his bike with easel, huge canvases, and a lot more stacked into an old cart  attached to the back of the bike.  When he left at the end of the day, we’d creep into the barn and look again at the canvases he’d left to dry.
riverside painting of trees
painting of the river and banks
He painted all along the valley, often besides the river, and today there are pictures of the vallée de l’Eure, by Alberto, hung in houses all over the world.

painting of the fields in the field
For the moment he’s back in Brazil, where he’s done some fantastic urban scenes, and has also returned to one of his favourite themes – pianos.   Recently he created a huge mosaic for an underground station.
painting of buildings and flowers in the foreground
flourescent painting of buildings and flowers
black, white, and blue sketch drawing of a piano
We are looking forward to him coming back to stay one day,  there’s an easel waiting here for him.

impressionistic painting of house and patio

If you’d like to see more of his work, visit his website here.
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21 comments

Jeanne March 28, 2010 - 9:52 pm

Beautiful post Sharon, I love the way the paintings are set in the original background…magical! What a great friend, I can see why you look forward to his visit!
Jeanne:)

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le banc moussu March 28, 2010 - 10:10 pm

I love those colourful paintings. Your so lucky to have him at home.
Christian

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Debra March 28, 2010 - 11:52 pm

What beautiful, beautiful paintings. I do hope there may be one or two hung in your lovely home. Alberto's work is inspirational-thank-you so much for giving us a glimpse. I'm off to check out his website.

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Julie@beingRUBY March 29, 2010 - 5:20 am

i'm not sure which to be more besotted by.. your beautiful garden or Alberto's incredible talent.. the paintings are wonderful.. .. Julie

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KJ's Restart Button March 29, 2010 - 7:35 am

First time visiting your blog. I love it! and I love the paintings.

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CÉLINE CHOLLET March 29, 2010 - 9:03 am

Peintures vivantes et colorées !
C'est intéressant de les voir dans le lieux où elles ont été réalisées.
J'aime bien aussi la série des pianos, amusant comme sujet ! Il a du peindre ça en musique ?

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Fabulously french March 29, 2010 - 1:13 pm

Fabulous post, the paintings are gorgeous as is your jardin.

Leeann x

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Karyn March 29, 2010 - 3:14 pm

My first visit to your blog & I am in love. Firstly Albertos paintings are amazing, the colours , everthing about them I adore (I have been to his website also, isnt the also music wonderful ). I have been to France several years ago & I long for the day I will return for a holiday again. I have read all of your posts, you have made me determined to return to france as soon as I possibly can.
Merci ! Merci ! Merci !

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Greet March 29, 2010 - 3:38 pm

Beautiful! How nice to have a painter as a friend!
Love also the painting of the piano!
xx
Greet

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trouvais.com March 29, 2010 - 5:00 pm

Hi Sharon. Did you take these photos?! They're stunning…art in themselves. The art in situ! Amazing art and photos…merci. Trish

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sharon March 29, 2010 - 5:30 pm

Thank you ladies, I'm so glad that you've all liked Alberto's photos so much. You're right, it is wonderful to see them in situ, but I can't take credit for the photos, Alberto always takes pictures of his paintings as he goes, and he was kind enough to let me use some.
Sharon

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A Refocused Life March 30, 2010 - 12:44 am

Sharon,
What a dream – to have a beautiful garden and a friend who captures the beauty on canvas. Rita

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DustyLu March 30, 2010 - 7:33 am

Gorgeous post! Beautiful artwork and your home is dreamy! Thank you for stopping by and visiting me so that I can now follow you! Good luck with all your giveaways! ~lulu

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passionedeco March 30, 2010 - 8:25 am

Dear Sharon,
your posts are always so inspirational. I love love your blog! Grazie e a presto. Fra

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A Room For Everyone March 30, 2010 - 8:29 am

What a beautiful experience you've shared. The paintings are very special, they feel very innocent to me, but I know very little about art! Rachaelxx

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Kellie Collis March 30, 2010 - 10:30 am

What beautiful, beautiful art! xx

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bikim March 30, 2010 - 10:53 am

LOVE THOSE PAINTINGS! THANKS FOR SHARING!
THANKS FOR VISITING ME AND LEAVING SUCH A SWEET COMMENT! I'LL ALSO FOLLOW YOUR BLOG!
HAPPY DAY SHARON!
ROSA

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Kerri March 31, 2010 - 6:06 am

Those paintings are divine! Gorgeous post. K xx

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Angie Muresan April 2, 2010 - 11:54 pm

Both your garden and the paintings made by your friend Alberto, are amazing!

http://www.angiemuresan.com

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lettie September 7, 2010 - 1:40 am

Alberto's work in Normandy reminds me of Van Gogh's paintings. Lovely, and your home is lovely too!

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