My Italian Journey
From Sea to Italian Countryside: A Visual Genealogy
An exhibition by Angela Jackson
Cardiff-by-the-Sea Library | September 30–October 31, 2026
Join me for an Artist Talk & Closing Reception on Saturday, October 17, from 1–4 p.m., with the artist talk from 2–3 p.m.
The event is free and open to the public.
Cardiff-by-the-Sea Library
2081 Newcastle Avenue, Cardiff-by-the-Sea, CA 92007
The Story Behind the Exhibition
My work is shaped by a personal journey of rediscovering my Italian ancestry and the landscapes that have held my family's stories for generations. As I trace my lineage through villages in Campania, including Pietradefusi, San Nazzaro, and Taurasi, I am also tracing an emotional and visual map, one shaped by memory, land, and inherited longing.
These paintings are more than depictions of place; they are expressions of what I call “visual genealogy.” Through vineyards, fields, hills, and village landscapes, I explore how the places our ancestors called home can connect us to lives and stories that came before us. Using layered surfaces and atmospheric color, I seek to capture the ways these landscapes can shape our sense of identity and belonging across generations, time, and geography.
A Creative Dialogue Across Two Continents
The exhibition also features a series of ten small watercolors inspired by photographs taken in our ancestral villages by my cousin, Gianluca Musto, a professional photographer in Italy. His photographs and my paintings are part of a creative dialogue between two artists who share a family history and a connection to these landscapes. While he interprets these places through photography, I respond through color, texture, and gesture, bringing my own perspective to places that are meaningful to us both.
Together, these works connect two creative perspectives, two continents, and a shared ancestral heritage.
Explore the Exhibition
The paintings in this exhibition reflect an ongoing journey through art, family history, and a deeper connection to the landscapes of my Italian heritage. I invite you to explore the work, discover the stories behind the paintings, and join me at Cardiff Library on October 17th.
Artwork images, titles, prices, and availability can be found in my store. For questions about a painting or to inquire about a purchase, please use the storefront or contact me.
Follow my work and future exhibitions on Instagram and Facebook. Thanks so much for your support!
“A Conversation About Italian Roots”:
Also, in January 2026, I was a guest on the Italian Roots & Genealogy Podcast, where I shared my family-history journey and how my Italian heritage has influenced my art. Please check it out here!
An exhibition by Angela Jackson
Cardiff-by-the-Sea Library | September 30–October 31, 2026
Join me for an Artist Talk & Closing Reception on Saturday, October 17, from 1–4 p.m., with the artist talk from 2–3 p.m.
The event is free and open to the public.
Cardiff-by-the-Sea Library
2081 Newcastle Avenue, Cardiff-by-the-Sea, CA 92007
The Story Behind the Exhibition
My work is shaped by a personal journey of rediscovering my Italian ancestry and the landscapes that have held my family's stories for generations. As I trace my lineage through villages in Campania, including Pietradefusi, San Nazzaro, and Taurasi, I am also tracing an emotional and visual map, one shaped by memory, land, and inherited longing.
These paintings are more than depictions of place; they are expressions of what I call “visual genealogy.” Through vineyards, fields, hills, and village landscapes, I explore how the places our ancestors called home can connect us to lives and stories that came before us. Using layered surfaces and atmospheric color, I seek to capture the ways these landscapes can shape our sense of identity and belonging across generations, time, and geography.
A Creative Dialogue Across Two Continents
The exhibition also features a series of ten small watercolors inspired by photographs taken in our ancestral villages by my cousin, Gianluca Musto, a professional photographer in Italy. His photographs and my paintings are part of a creative dialogue between two artists who share a family history and a connection to these landscapes. While he interprets these places through photography, I respond through color, texture, and gesture, bringing my own perspective to places that are meaningful to us both.
Together, these works connect two creative perspectives, two continents, and a shared ancestral heritage.
Explore the Exhibition
The paintings in this exhibition reflect an ongoing journey through art, family history, and a deeper connection to the landscapes of my Italian heritage. I invite you to explore the work, discover the stories behind the paintings, and join me at Cardiff Library on October 17th.
Artwork images, titles, prices, and availability can be found in my store. For questions about a painting or to inquire about a purchase, please use the storefront or contact me.
Follow my work and future exhibitions on Instagram and Facebook. Thanks so much for your support!
“A Conversation About Italian Roots”:
Also, in January 2026, I was a guest on the Italian Roots & Genealogy Podcast, where I shared my family-history journey and how my Italian heritage has influenced my art. Please check it out here!
