The places, colors, and little moments in Italy that inspired my book, Amalfi Coast.
There are places you visit, and then there are places that stay with you long after you return home.
Italy did both for me.
From the rolling hills of Tuscany to the sun-drenched villages of the Amalfi Coast, my recent trip to Italy was filled with beautiful architecture, winding streets, delicious food, olive trees, and lemons everywhere. I found inspiration in the grand palaces of Florence, the vineyards of Chianti, the colorful coastal villages, and the simple pleasures of everyday Italian life.
As an illustrator and designer, I naturally look at the world through the eyes of an artist. I notice the colors of a doorway, the shape of a flower, the pattern of a tile, or the way sunlight falls across a building. I photograph these details, save them in my memory, and often return to them later in my studio.
That is exactly what happened with my watercolor book, Amalfi Coast.
Discover the Amalfi Coast Watercolor Book →
A Wedding in Tuscany and the Beauty of Florence
Our Italian journey began with a wedding in Tuscany, surrounded by the beauty that makes this part of Italy so unforgettable.
We also spent time in Florence, staying at the beautiful Calimala Hotel, where the rooftop restaurant offered a wonderful place to take in the city. I have a photograph from that rooftop that reminds me of the atmosphere of Florence: historic architecture, beautiful views, and that unmistakable Italian elegance.
Florence is a city where art and history seem to be around every corner. We visited Pitti Palace, and everywhere I looked, there were details worth remembering. The architecture, the warm colors, the historic streets, and the artistic spirit of the city made every walk an opportunity to discover something new.
For an artist, travel is never just about seeing a place. It is about noticing the details that make it unique.
Olive Trees, Vineyards, and the Inspiration of Tuscany
One of my favorite memories comes from Montemurlo Oste, where I took a photograph of myself and another of olives growing on a tree.
There was something beautiful about seeing those olives growing naturally on their branches. It was such a simple moment, but one that stayed with me.
That olive branch became an inspiration for one of the watercolor pages in Amalfi Coast.
I love when something I see in real life finds its way into my artwork. Sometimes inspiration comes from an elaborate building or a breathtaking view. Other times, it is a branch, a flower, or a small detail that might otherwise go unnoticed.
We also visited wineries in Monteriggioni, Lornano, and Castellina in Chianti. The vineyards and Tuscan countryside offered another glimpse into the beauty of this region, where the landscape, food, wine, and traditions are so closely connected.
These are the kinds of experiences that remind me why I love creating art inspired by places and the memories we make there.
Following the Lemons to the Amalfi Coast
Then came the Amalfi Coast, with its dramatic coastline, colorful villages, beautiful views, and, of course, lemons.
If there is one image that immediately comes to mind when I think of this part of Italy, it is a bright yellow lemon against a backdrop of blue skies, white buildings, and the deep blue Mediterranean Sea.
We visited so many beautiful places along the coast, including Ravello, Conca dei Marini, Praiano, Positano, Amalfi, Minori, and Maiori. We also explored Sorrento, visited Capri, and enjoyed the atmosphere of the coastal ports and beaches.
In Amalfi, we dined at Ristorante Fico D’India, surrounded by the kind of lemon-inspired beauty that makes this region so distinctive. Lemons appeared everywhere, from the local scenery to the food and the decorative details.
We visited Villa Rufolo in Ravello, explored the Marina Grande area, and spent time enjoying the beauty of the coastline. Our stay in an Airbnb called Villa San Giuseppe Furore in Amalfi and it gave us a place to return to after days spent exploring the villages and discovering new corners of the region.
One of the highlights of our Italian journey was taking a pasta-making class in Agerola, in the Pianillo area. We rolled up our sleeves, worked with the dough, and enjoyed preparing a delicious meal together. From the fresh pasta to the salad and tiramisu. It was such a wonderful way to experience a little more of Italian life!
From the winding coastal roads to the colorful buildings and the abundance of lemons, every day gave me another reason to reach for my camera.
But I did more than reach for my camera. One afternoon during our stay in Amalfi, I picked up my watercolor brush and painted these lemons, inspired by the beauty surrounding me.
From Travel Photographs to Watercolor Pages
When I travel, I take photographs not only to remember where I have been but also to preserve the little details that might inspire a future painting or illustration.
The lemons, the olive branch, the Italian cafés, the flower-filled doorways, and the everyday scenes all became part of the creative inspiration behind Amalfi Coast.
I wanted this book to capture more than a destination. I wanted it to evoke the feeling of being there: slowing down, noticing beauty, enjoying a cup of coffee, wandering through a village, or sitting down to a wonderful Italian meal.
Amalfi Coast includes 14 watercolor illustrations inspired by Italy, with lemons playing a starring role in many of the designs. The pages also celebrate the little details that make Italian life so charming.
One illustration might remind you of a leisurely morning at an Italian café. Another might bring to mind a flower-covered doorway or a sunlit afternoon by the sea.
And one might simply make you want to paint a beautiful olive branch.
That is what I love about creating watercolor books. Each illustration offers an opportunity to pause, pick up a brush, and make something beautiful with your own hands.
Bring a Little Italian Inspiration into Your Home
You do not have to travel to Italy to enjoy the beauty of its colors, flowers, architecture, and traditions.
You can bring a little of that inspiration into your own home through art, a thoughtfully set table, fresh flowers, or an afternoon spent painting.
My Amalfi Coast watercolor book was created for anyone who loves Italy, enjoys watercolor, or wants to explore their creativity one illustration at a time.
Whether you are an experienced painter or a beginner, I hope these pages encourage you to slow down, notice the beauty around you, and create something that brings you joy.
For me, this book will always hold memories of Tuscany, Florence, the olive trees, and the beautiful villages of the Amalfi Coast.
It is a little piece of my Italian journey, translated into watercolor.
I hope it inspires a little Italian sunshine in your own creative world.
Discover
Amalfi Coast
Bring home 14 watercolor illustrations inspired by the colors, flavors, and beauty of Italy. Open the book, choose a design, and create your own little piece of the Amalfi Coast.
Discover the Amalfi Coast Watercolor Book
Paint • Create • Gather
With love and a little Italian inspiration,
Ceci Mason
Illustrator • Designer • Author
Diga Linda ~ Say Beautiful
