Photo-a-Day - March 2012 - Day 23: Moon

Photo-a-Day - March 2012 - Day 23: Moon

Pulcinella No. 3 Where he hugs the moon ecstatically by Carlo Marchiori

If you come to Northern California, which I recommend everyone do, head north through the wine country of Napa Valley and keep going to Calistoga.  There you will find a marvelous place known as Villa Ca'Toga, the home of artist Carlo Marchiori. 

The house is one of illusion through art.  The grounds contain "Roman" ruins, the living room has a massive mobile of the planets, the walls contain unbelievable, fantastical trompe l’oeil such as you've never seen. There are weekly tours on Saturdays from May through October and so well worth it.    

The Birdcage where you are the bird looking out

When I was there, it was before he'd opened the Ca'Toga Art Gallery in town so they sold items out of his work studio at the house.  I fell in love with his collection of Pulcinella plates but could only afford the one.  My favorite framer created a shadowbox for me to protect it and it now hangs in my hallway.