GODWIN MUSCAT AZZOPARDI

"I love painting seascapes but of course the style of this one is particular and reflects a departure from the classic take on seascapes. 

The colours, the contrasts and the moods of Nature are a very strong inspiration for me and the Mediterranean colours demand to be heard. But I am inspired by the atmosphere of a place or subject more than by its local colour. In this painting in oils it is more about atmosphere and the emotions that I see the Mediterranean skies over a rough gregale generate. Hopefully the viewer feels some form of emotional link to the painting rather than just thinking of a photographic rendering of a seascape."

I am still excited and fascinated by the way in which, after a few brush strokes, a blank canvas translates into an emotion, a poem, a song. Life is made up of moments and the moment a painting is born, it needs to share its existence with others. It needs to communicate the artist's thoughts and values. And, as the eternal optimist, I try to drive a positive narrative in my works."

HENRY FALZON

"Summer Sparkle - oil on canvas.This canvas was inspired by my son's small sailing boat (known as Laser class boat) sailing in winter in the shallows of Ghadira Bay. The sea there is turquoise in all directions you look, and the low December sun can give dazzling reflections across the water's surface."  

STEPHANIE MIZZI

Stephanie Mizzi has always had a keen interest in photography. Her father loved taking photos  wherever they went, and her love for photography never abated. However it was only after her son Matthew was born that she decided to take up photography on a more professional level. She was the founder of Artists for Ukraine which was set up in 2022 wherein over 80 artists participated in two exhibitions, with the proceeds going to Ukrainian refugees. Always hard on herself, close friends describe her as free-spirited, bubbly, caring, sensitive and sincere. Aside from photography she also paints in her free time and has written articles, mainly on current affairs and travel, for local and foreign newspapers. Her words of advice to everyone: 'Pursue your dreams, do not fear failure, for only in failure do we have the opportunity to try again.' More of her work can be found on her website stephaniemizzi.com. She dedicates her work to her son, Matt, family and dearest friends worldwide.

CHRISTINA DARMANIN

"This was done a few years ago now, a very sentimental commission because of the value behind the image taken. The Maltese photographer, Marc Casolani had captured the sunlit moment of the Maltese swimmer Neil Agius making waves and his supportive fiancée Lara Vella watching from the boat.

Marc had asked me to translate this special moment into a painting.  This was captured en route when Neil embarked on the unprecedented swim across the Mediterranean islands from Linosa to Gozo. He swam 125.7km over nearly 52 hours to raise awareness of plastic pollution at sea as part of the Wave of Change campaign he helped establish. The painting seeks to capture the focus and determination of Neil and the team, and act as a reminder to humans that we have a responsibility to look after our sea as stewards of the earth.

If you look closely at the painting you will see the sparkles of light which I highlighted: that as we do our part we are like light and together we shine as the sea is common heritage of mankind. Let's be inspired to do our bit, so we can add light to this world and our own little archipelago as the diamond in the centre of the Mediterranean." 

JENI CARUANA

"This  is a watercolour I painted from Rdum il- Qammieh a while ago. I was sitting on the marble commemorative bench that was smashed up by vandals a week or so later.  Such a senseless pity.

Painting 'en plein air' is always a joy though,  being part of the atmosphere and trying to channel all your senses into the work. It goes so far beyond simply seeing and trying to reproduce a scene.

Capturing the sea, with her constant mood and colour changes as she dances with the sky, is a challenge all of its own."

ALEXIA COPPINI

"Growing up in Malta, the sea is a part of life. From a very young age I have always been fascinated by the sea. To me, it is alive with a soul of its own and all of my life it has inspired me to catch the oceans in all of their moods. Often I paint with perspective including rocks, lighthouses or boats. This allows me to convey the serenity or anger that the sea can display on any given day. I was fortunate to live for some years on the Caribbean island of St Maarten. This opened another chapter of seascapes for me to paint quite differently to what we experience here in Malta. I happily paint other subjects but without doubt my heart and soul is in the sea." 

ANDREW SMITH

"The painting Marsaxlokk, Early Morning was completed on location using the watercolour technique.  An impressionistic technique captures both the colours and the peaceful and serene feel of the early morning at this popular Maltese harbour.

Marsaxlokk has a wonderful sunrise as with many locations in the South of Malta and Gozo. Being on location at the site provides the artist with a direct connection with them which a photograph cannot convey to the artist, and as with any paintings the artwork must consist of more than an accurate rendering of the subject. When capturing the unique colours of the sunrise and sunset the artist doesn't have a lot of time due to how fast the sun rises and falls.  This is why impressionism has often been a popular technique since there is a focus on the abstraction of the subject, without being getting bogged down in details".

JOSEPH CASAPINTA

Tlieta  is a watercolour painting. It is atmospheric, bold and with a near to monochromatic palette.

From his latest collection, this painting forms part of an artistic dialogue exhibition, where the artist continues on a journey in the use of watercolour.  A near to monochrome, layers of washes depict boats moored at the jetty.  After a day out at sea, the Tlieta, Three, are back at sundown, with light shimmering over the side of each of these boats.  This journey has allowed the artist to experiment and create bolder and more atmospheric paintings.  Although using a very limited palette with more water and heavier textured paper, the end result is most effective especially in applying a wet-on-wet technique.

More works by the artist can be viewed online at Home | Joseph Casapinta Art 

LAWRENCE COPPINI

"After 42 years of meticulous detailed work as the Registar of companies for the civil service, I developed my style of painting encompassing the same attention to detail. Whether it's a store front, an animal or a classic scene of Grand harbour the passion is in the detail. My love for antiques influences my style of work. Antique frames complete the scenes created. To create, through painting, a detailed depiction of a scene is extremely rewarding and therapeutic." 

'A  Maltese Luzzu at it's berthing place in Marsaxlokk'

ANTHONY VELLA

"The luzzu  (a traditional Maltese fishing boat) is a sturdy carvel-built boat with a double-ended hull. Originally, the luzzu was equipped with oars and sails although nowadays almost all are motorised, with onboard diesel engines being the most common.

The boats are brightly painted in shades of yellow, red, green and blue, and the bow is normally pointed with a pair of eyes. These eyes may be the modern survival of an ancient Phoenician custom (also practiced by the ancient Greeks and Egyptians); they are referred to as the Eye of Horus or of Osiris. They are said to protect the fishermen while at sea. In 2016 Prof. Anthony Aquilina from the University of Malta determined that there are some traditional rules that come into play when choosing the colour palette for a luzzu.

The town of Marsaxlokk is especially famous for the large numbers of luzzu and similar craft operating in its harbour. The luzzu is often considered as a symbol of Malta. " Source: Wikipedia.