Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1468438
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 22 MAY 2022 7 CULTURE 'Conversations with Nature': an exhibition by Joanne Fenech Portelli 'CON V ERSATIONS with Nature' is an exhibition of a series of plein air to studio painted naturescapes which have emerged from Joanne's paintings on location during the past year. Taking her plein air experiences into the studio has enabled Joanne to relive those outdoor painting ses- sions. Painting amidst nature en- gages every sense and becomes a conversation with nature itself, according to Joanne Fenech Portelli. She loves escaping the daily hustle and bustle of everyday life when she can, by finding quiet na- ture spots, possibly where very few people pass by, if none at all. The presence of trees, garigue, and wild flora makes it all the more interesting to get a sense of place and por- tray that immediate connec- tion with nature and transmit it into paint. That emotional response becomes a dialogue between nature and artist- one who interprets form and col- our together with the overall feeling of wellbeing that only Mother Nature can truly give. The dialogue is one that through the emotions of that moment lets the viewer feel those instances of peace in nature, which are so nec- essary to balance out our busy lives. For the artist, the sense of place and emotional atmos- phere created are what is par- a m o u n t . Ultimately it is the feelings of the viewers and their own conversations with what they connect to in the paintings that make this a full circle in the uni- versal language of art. The artist strives to capture these spe- cial places in our unique Mediterrane- an countryside in paint to also raise more aware- ness of their beauty, seen through her view- point, and to also make view- ers appreciate what we have. About the artist Joanne Fenech Portelli, b.1976, is a Maltese artist most known for her en plein air paintings which she has been regularly exhibiting for the past years, both collective- ly and solo. Joanne also exhib- its abroad when she takes part in international plein air festi- vals and competitions, namely in Ireland and Holland. Dur- ing such festivals Joanne al- so takes part in Quick Draw events where she also wins prizes. Her paintings can be found hanging in private col- lections in the US, Ireland, Holland, France, Germany, Kuwait and Malta. The artist's favourite medi- um is oils, because she prefers the versatility and the pos- sibility of creating textures, although she also uses others like watercolour, gouache, and pastels when she sketches out- side. For Joanne, art is her passion and life journey, and painting outside surrounded by nature is her epitome of being able to make art and enjoy it at the same time, for ultimately what is painting without joy? Because it is this joy and beau- ty that Joanne wants to give back to who views her art. To keep up to date with Joanne's painting adventures one can follow her on her social me- dia accounts on Instagram and Facebook pages entitled Joanne Fenech Portelli Fine Art. Coversations with Nature is on from 13-31 May at the Mal- ta Postal Musem in Valletta.