Picture of the Week #240 "Love Labors Lost" Padua, Italy 2013 Signed and Stamped

This was on a wall when we stopped in Padua Italy for a couple of days. I couldn't resist taking the picture. It made me smile and then I thought about it and realized that it was sad. Then I looked again and went back to smiling. Every time we walked by this image I had to look.

Picture of the Week #239 "Adjusting Dad's Dragon" Venice, Italy 2011 Signed and Stamped

I'm still on hold for opening my pop up gallery at the Venetian & Palazzo Hotels in Las Vegas. But I am continuing to make prints. I was hoping that July 1st would be the opening day, but they want me to wait as they said the space is not ready and the contract is not signed. I told them that I am ready when they are. In the meantime I have produced all of the inventory needed. The framing is done. The matting is done. And the Cut Outs are cut out, mounted and painted black around the edges. Now I'm cataloging and getting organized as to who is going to man the space. Actually I need at least three people as the space is to be open from 10:00 AM to Midnight seven days a week. I have someone else working on a website that will have a shopping cart and accept charge cards. So in essence things are moving along and I am very excited.

Picture of the Week #238 "Blue & White Mask"  Venice, Italy 2011 Signed and Stamped

It looks like it's official. I just spoke to the powers that be at the Hotel and I should be opening my Pop Up Gallery - "Stephen VERONA's Carnivale Candy Galleria d'Arte" at the Venetian & Palazzo Hotels in Las Vegas on or about July 1st. I am so excited. I have 50 matted photos, 23 Giclees, 10 Large and 10 small framed images and a bunch of mini cut outs. I hope this turns into a full time gallery where I can feed the work as it sells. Now I have to find trustworthy and knowledgable people to man the space. Everything will be signed and numbered and orders can be taken at the gallery and shipped from here so I know exactly where and what goes. This could be life changing. It's certainly exciting.

Picture of the Week #237 "Reflection" Venice, Italy 2011 Signed and Stamped

It looks like my "Carnivale Candy" POP UP show at the Venetian & Palazzo Hotels in Las Vegas is moving ahead. And to get a little head start I am posting one of the images. I actually photographed the person in St. Marks Square during the day and placed them by the water at night. It's dramatic and tells the story of Venice and the Carnivale. I am so stoked by having this Las Vegas venue which I feel is perfect for these images. I have large 44" by 52" white framed photographs, as well as 13" X 19" and another series of matted pictures that are 18" X 24". Then there are the Life Size, medium size and small size Cut Outs along with what I am calling Mini. I am trying to cover all price points. And there will be the Giclees, prints on canvas that are 20" X 24". It will be very colorful and hopefully a lively installation that we are hoping turns into an ongoing and successful gallery. At the same time we are feeling out merchandising the images on to T Shirts, coffee mugs, hats, etc. This is going to be a business that we are calling "Stephen Verona's CARNIVALE CANDY Galleria d'Arte". An online store will be open as well. Stay tuned.

Picture of the Week #236 "The New American Gothic"  Bel Air, California 2013 Signed & Stamped

My neighbors gardeners struck a pose that reminded me of Grant Wood's classic American Gothic painting, only the pitchfork was replaced by a leaf blower and trimmer. Could this be a classic in the making?