“Bologna was unique in championing the professions of women. The home of Europe’s oldest university, which has supported female students since the thirteenth century, the city considered women artists integral to its development” - Katy Hessel, The Story of Art Without Men

Welcome to Episode #128:

Bologna is one of those places that has that quintessential Italian feel. A medieval city with wonderful heritage and a place where tradition and conviviality are maintained. Many people love to visit for the food and there is a lot to say about the glories of the table in Bologna. I went there for art, food and wine and found myself lured by the beautiful porticoes that dominate the city and a significant visit to Santa Caterina. There are UNESCO World Heritage sites and al fresco ambience like no other. I often wonder why more people don’t visit this city. It has so much to offer in terms of the magic of travel in Italy.

Visit Bologna

MichelleJohnston.life for the Shownotes and Visuals!

A Writer in Italy Instagram

Substack - At My Table

Michelle’s Books

Musical Scores by Richard Johnston

© 2025 A Writer In Italy - travel, books, art and life
Music Composed by Richard Johnston © 2025

Support the show

"Live the journey as faithfully as you can" 💥James Hollis

A notebook from Bologna led me to contemplate the profound effect that Italy has had on my psyche these past few years. The journeys and the moments that have awakened a lively contemplation.

I share my story of healing through the ups and downs and how Italy made everything sing.

Michelle x

Episode #127 🎙️ Life, Travel, Ischia, Jamie's Pizza, Naples & Procida

Shownotes at MichelleJohnston.life

A Writer in Italy Instagram

Substack - At My Table

Michelle’s Books

Musical Scores by Richard Johnston

© 2025 A Writer In Italy - travel, books, art and life
Music Composed by Richard Johnston © 2025

Support the show

"I fall in love with places" - Cy Twombly

While still reflecting on the life of Cy Twombly, I muse over a few artists that have been influenced by Italy (and my artistic process). There is just something about the visual beauty and the history of Italy that seems to impact many artists, writers and creatives.

I go further into thoughts on the art of Cy Twombly and Robert Rauschenberg throwing his art into the Arno River in Florence after a disparaging critic’s comment, and how artists move forward regardless of popularity or understanding. Generally the people catch up later. For some like Julian Schnabel they hit their stride early.

Schnabel said, Italy had a “massive impression” on him. He lived in Milan earlier in his career creating work influenced by place and the landscape. A visit to the Scrovegni Chapel in Padua had such an impact on his psyche he changed the way he painted. You can see this shift in his documentary in Julian Schnabel: A Private Portrait. He later purchased land in New York City and turned it into a Venetian Palazzo. Palazzo Chupi is bright pink building and an ambitious manifestation of his own artistic temperament. The visual beauty of Venice influences many of us in varying ways.

I go on a personal journey on this episode contemplating the life of the artists and my own. Later in the share I muse over the life and inspirations of Cy Twombly, Julian Schnabel, Basquiat and Picasso.

"blurring, blotching, writing and inscribing were purposely obscured by superimposing" - Thierry Greub on Twombly's painting process

Pentimento .... "Pentimento: a visible trace of earlier painting beneath a layer or layers of paint on a canvas".

"The word pentimento is derived from the Italian 'pentirsi', which means to repent or change your mind. Pentimento is a change made by the artist during the process of painting. These changes are usually hidden beneath a subsequent paint layer".

Musical Scores by Richard Johnston

Shownotes at MichelleJohnston.life

A Writer in Italy Instagram

Substack - At My Table

Michelle’s Books

© 2025 A Writer In Italy - travel, books, art and life
Music Composed by Richard Johnston © 2025

Support the show