watercolors, food + ceramics in boston

Sometimes my friend Martha and I kid each other that we are one. As in ‘we are the same person.’ We’ve been friends for so long (a scary long time) that we often finish each other’s sentences (she hates that!), have the same brilliant thoughts at the same time and share most of our major passions (ok, we each have a different guy, but they too have a lot in common.)

Which partly explains why Martha’s latest exhibition at her gallery, Martha Richardson Fine Art, in Boston seems like it was planned specifically for me. I mean, if I could plan my dream show it would probably include gorgeous watercolors of Italian food and landscapes, interspersed with brightly colored majolica with some cheese, olive oil and wine tastings thrown in for good measure.

Which is exactly what Martha, along with her friends and colleagues from Bellezza and Oldways, have planned for this month.

The show’s main attractions are watercolors by Suzanne Heller. Suzanne’s bright and spirited works were born  as illustrations to her sister’s, Faith Willinger’s, book Adventures of an Italian Food Lover. The small works on paper highlight the delicious life in Italy: bunches of radishes, parsley and arugula are hung alongside landscapes and portraits of luminaries of the Italian food world. (One of my favorites is of smiling Anna Tasca Lanza)

Martha has collaborated with Bellezza, (one of the best Italian ceramics stores in the States) in producing this exhibition. Along side the watercolors are gorgeous examples of Italian pottery from places like Deruta and Vietri. The show continues at Bellezza’s own store in Newton, where watercolors hang as well, juxtaposed amid vases, platters, bowls and dishes.

And just when you thought it couldn’t get any more delicious, my good friends at Oldways have organized tastings of cheese, wine and olive oil so that you can actually taste what Suzanne has so artfully captured on paper.

The exhibition opens tomorrow, on Saturday September 17. If you’re in Boston, stop by and you’ll get a chance to meet Suzanne. I wish I could be there too. If you do go, please say hi to Martha (although since we are one, you may confuse us).

Martha Richardson Fine Art
38 Newbury Street, Boston
617.266.3321

Bellezza Home & Garden
1021 Boylston Street, Newton
617.244.5330

September 17 – October 22, 2011

Saturday September 17, 2-4pm – Artists Reception at Martha Richardson Fine Art

Thursday, September 22, 6-8pm – Italian Cheese Tasting with Ihsan Gurdal of Formaggio Kitchen at Bellezza Home & Garden, Newton

Thursday October 6, 6-8pm – Italian Wine Tasting with Helen Gallo of Winebow at Bellezza Home & Garden, Newton

Saturday, October 22, 2-4pm – Italian Olive Oil Tasting with Sabatino & Co. , Martha Richardson Fine Art, Boston

The tastings are sponsored by my good friends at Oldways, an internationally-respected non-profit organization, changing the way people eat through practical and positive programs grounded in science, traditions and delicious foods and drinks.