Angela King's Portrait
of an Artist

Painting to me is about capturing a moment that triggers all five
senses in a way that a photograph cannot. What better experience for
an artist than to live in a new locale, taking in all the sounds,
smells, conversations and sights that become part of the canvas? As a
student of art, I opted to study abroad in Europe, home to the
masters. Italy, in particular, was an ideal location. From the narrow
cobblestone streets of Trastevere, overflowing with café tables, to
the Tiber River, Borghese Gardens, Sistine Chapel and the Vatican
Museum, Rome offered endless stimulation.

In museums, the works I had seen in slide format during art history
lectures were just inches from my face. In Plaza Navona, I found it
awe-inspiring to stand behind one of the many artists at work. But
what I enjoyed most was taking in the daily activities of the
streets. I wanted to capture every poetic moment with my paintbrush.
I would sit with a small canvas or a 1 foot by 1 foot wood panel
painting whatever was in front of me. On my second afternoon of
painting in front of the entrance to my favorite ristorante, one of
the waitresses—a family member of the owner—wanted to buy my piece. I
sold my first painting to her.

Within a half-day’s travel from Rome are Capri and Venice, two of the
most beautiful places I’ve seen in the world. My most memorable
moment abroad was kayaking the shores of the island of Capri. The
deep turquoise color of the water and the enchanting caves that I
kayaked through inspired the paintings that I finished abroad and
continue to contribute to the way my brush moves now.

Angela King was a senior at Bowdoin College, in Maine when this
article was written. She double majored in visual arts and economics.
During her junior fall she studied at Temple University in Rome.
While in Italy, she composed 30 small paintings, worked with
a Venetian printmaker, and took many art-related courses.