Along with loving writing books and painting, I love to experience new cultures and I am interested in travel photography that tells a story – portraying people’s passions and/or that captures the essence and spirit of a place. Many moons ago I studied for a qualification in photography. In this week’s blog I share the six images I chose for my final photography assignment – I was only allowed six! I have deliberately chosen images that avoid clichéd images of Sicily and tell a story about the people – their passions and their culture.
As you’ll discover later in this blog, We traveled to Sicily to celebrate my partner’s 50th in May 2011. While there, we traveled to the island of Salina, one of the volcanic Aeolian Islands that form an archipelago off the northern coast of Sicily. From our idyllic holiday spot, we could see the island of Stromboli letting off steam. I once met a very interesting man from Stromboli and thought it would be fun to create a character from there. When the volcanic explosion happened in New Zealand, I wondered what would happen if a woman who survived a volcanic explosion and was terrified of volcanos fell in love with a man who loved volcanoes! And my love story, LOVE IN SICILY was born.
This image sums up so much of Sicily – the worn, old-world façade of this narrow street, the religious image on the door and the broken car which lends an insight into how people live and drive. The car tells its own story – the love heart (symbolic of their passion) and the bullet hole in the windscreen. I do hope the driver wasn’t the victim of a Mafia hit! I increased the vibrancy slightly to emphasise the red heart and to bring out the rich patina of the worn building facades.
I converted my colour image to black and white and added a sepia tone to increase the sense of timelessness and nostalgia of Corleone – made infamous by the movie The Godfather – as well as to add more drama. We spent a very, very, very memorable afternoon here after drinking Ouzo with a most charming elderly man.
The food of Sicily is divine in its simplicity. The Italians love their deserts and this desert image reflects the Sicilians ability to create food from the gods which has a spirit of minimalism and authenticity – less really is more. This desert is even more special because it is a bespoke desert whipped up for me especially. The chef was so very, very proud and I was delighted! The desert was soft in texture and I wanted to capture this by leaving the desert off focus – the edge of the plate has the harder focus – adding more contrast with the desert. I increased the vibrancy slightly to bring the richness of the custard and berry.
I wanted to capture the chaos, colour and beauty of this street side florist and the passion with which the people of Sicily live and work. The blurred rose and hand of the woman with its sense of movement evokes this chaos, passion and vitality. I cropped some clutter above their heads but left the chair, bolts of cloth and ribbons to echo the chaos around them.
This very talented chef was creating a work of art from a simple watermelon. I love the look of absolute concentration on his face and the tender way he holds the watermelon. I added some vibrancy and increased the brightness a little to compensate for the harsh light that slightly washed out his features.
The Vespa complete with mobile phone and family is quintessentially Italian – add the narrow streets and kids with a soccer ball and you really capture the Italian spirit. I increased the vibrancy levels and brightness to give more life and vitality to the image – as the street was in shadow when the image was originally taken.
The joy of stumbling across exiled Chilean poet, Pablo Neruda’s house, (also the setting for the Italian movie il postino) and sitting blissfully in the rain.
I do miss my photography — must dust off my camera. I’d love to do a coffee table photobook sometime soon.
I hope you enjoyed seeing these memories. We traveled to Sicily to celebrate my partner’s 50th in May 2011. While there, we traveled to the island of Salina, one of the volcanic Aeolian Islands that form an archipelago off the northern coast of Sicily. From our idyllic holiday spot, we could see the island of Stromboli letting off steam. I once met a very interesting man from Stromboli and thought it would be fun to create a character from there. When the volcanic explosion happened in New Zealand, I wondered what would happen if a woman who survived a volcanic explosion and was terrified of volcanos fell in love with a man who loved volcanoes!
Set in the dual locations of Sicily, Italy, and The Bay of Islands, New Zealand—some of the most beautiful, unspoiled, sensuous places in the world.
An unexpected lover…a volcano of exploding passions
★★★★★ ““Another heart-wrenching yet heart-healing story from this gifted author.”
After surviving a horrific accident, Kate Miller is plagued by guilt. Hiding both her mental and physical scars, she shuns love and escapes into work—finding meaning and purpose in running her boutique Manuka honey business.
Billionaire business magnate Gianni Romano has ventured from Sicily to New Zealand driven by the crimes of his father and the memories he wants to escape. But the infamous Romano name and ill-gained fortune follow him wherever he goes. But this only makes the headstrong Italian more determined to strike out on his own. Now, he’s on the cusp of achieving world acclaim.
Only one woman stands in his way—fiercely independent Kate Miller and her refusal to submit to his demands that she sells her business to him. Her passions are inflamed. How dare he think he can flaunt his considerable wealth and buy the only thing that gives her a reason to live?
The spark they have is hotter than a Sicilian sunset and conflict flames. When emotions run deep, and hearts are on the line, will mixing business with pleasure be the bedrock for lifelong love? Or will their love explode like an angry volcano?
Love In Sicily is a beautiful romance, brimming with the promise of a happily ever after. Set in the dual locations of Sicily, Italy, and The Bay of Islands, New Zealand—one of the most beautiful, unspoiled, sensuous places in the world.
LOVE IN SICILY is part of Mollie Mathews’ TRUE LOVE STORIES series starring Maverick Billionaires. While it can easily be read as a standalone story, you’ll likely enjoy reading the other books, too.
Other Novels by Mollie Mathews
TRUE LOVE STORIES
Love In Venice (Mauro and Maggie)
Love in Mexico (Oliver and Ruby)
Love in Montana (Lizzie and Jack)
Love In Sicily (Kate and Gianni)
YOU MAY ALSO ENJOY THE SHEIKHS UNTAMED BRIDES SERIES
THE SHEIKHS UNTAMED BRIDES
Claimed by the Sheikh (Tariq and Melanie)
Stolen By The Sheikh (Anwar and Lucy)
Bought By The Sheikh (Fazza and Grace)
“I absolutely loved this romance book set in New Zealand’s Bay of Islands. Gianni has fled to New Zealand to flee from his family and Kate is in New Zealand running her global Manuka honey empire. Kate and Gianni are realistic, strong, independent, sexy, and confident. Kate is irate when Gianni demands she sell her business to him. Kate and Gianni are struggling with personal issues and just want to escape their lives. They end up having sparks that are hotter than an inferno. Their journey with each other is sensuous and in one of the most tranquil places in the world, their happily ever after came when they were at their most vulnerable. I recommend reading this phenomenal romance that will set you on fire, this author is extraordinary and knows how to captivate her reader’s hearts and attention with passion and hot, steamy romance.”
“A great read. It has its share of angst and joy. Kate and Gianni have a lot of familial events that play into this story. Well-layered and the interaction, even when it comes to their need for a therapist, is really cool. Disaster and betrayal are balanced out with the realization that they have both dealt with volcanic activity, which leads to love. A quick and balanced read.”
“Loved the push & pull between the main protagonists. They both had horrific experiences & whilst she had physical scars & grieved the loss of her family with a heavy dose of self-blame, his were buried much deeper & yet he revealed everything. Loved her almost human mutt & the detailed well-written story that had a lot of angst but underpinning all the drama, the harsh words. they were so sexually connected that they could have put the stars to shame. Highly recommended.”
To enjoy your copy in ebook or paperback from Amazon:
US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CR2YK8TK
CA: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0CR2YK8TK
UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0CR2YK8TK
AU: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0CR2YK8TK
Universal Link:
https://mybook.to/LoveInMexico
LOVE IN SICILY is part of Mollie Mathews’ TRUE LOVE STORIES series starring Maverick Billionaires. While it can easily be read as a standalone story, you’ll likely enjoy reading the other books, too.
TRUE LOVE STORIES
Love In Venice (Mauro and Maggie)
Love in Mexico (Oliver and Ruby)
Love in Montana (Lizzie and Jack)
Love In Sicily (Kate and Gianni)
Travel turns you into a storyteller
P.S.
Do you have a book inside you bursting to come forth? Would you love to learn to write a story or memoir, publish a book or sample the joy of writing?
Capture Stories. Craft Memories. Share your heart. Change your life. ONLY TWO SPOTS LEFT! DM or visit my website to enrol: https://shop.thejoyfulartist.co.nz/product/2-day-writing-retreat-in-person/
Posted in: Blog
ABOUT CASSANDRA
I am an artist, storyteller, intuitive guide, mentor and Reiki master. All my creations are infused with positive energy , inspiration, and light. I believe in magic and the power of beauty, joy, love, purpose, and creativity to transform your life. My greatest joy is helping your realize your dreams. That makes my soul sing!
RECENT BLOG POSTS
CONTACT
P: +64 (0) 21 873 833
E: hello@thejoyfulartist.co.nz
BE SOCIAL
© 2024 The Joyful Artist
Website by Webstudio