The days are really short now which, for me, means the number of hours available to paint in natural light are greatly diminished. This makes me reach for the Gibigiana lamp for its spotlight power which gives me great lighting contrast to paint.
The lamp was passed on to me many, many years ago by a dear old friend — who had a weakness for Italian lamps — when he moved south. He often used it to highlight flower bouquets in a dim room, very theatrical. It’s beautifully engineered and with a playful design — a small mirror reflects the light deep inside to wherever you angle the mirror, and it has a dimmer slider switch, all very, very satisfying. Designed circa 1980 by Achille Castiglioni for Flos. Although it’s not the most practical of side table lamps, I’ve moved it with me over the years and it’s now something I wouldn’t part with. It’s one of my favourite things (OOMFT) and, as Mary Poppins sings, lately I find myself drawn to painting a few of my favourite things (AFOMFT).
