Day 2 on the Amalfi Coast—Finding Inspiration in Capri's Light

Day two took us across the water to Capri, where inspiration seemed to wait around every corner. The island is everything you imagine and more — the luminous blues of the sea, the cliffs rising dramatically from the water, the pastel buildings stacked like a painting themselves. It’s one of those places that feels both impossibly glamorous and deeply peaceful all at once.

As we approached the island by ferry, the views were breathtaking. The morning light sparkled across the water like liquid glass, and along the way we passed the charming ports of Minori, Amalfi and Positano, each one offering postcard-worthy views. If you ever make the trip, take the earliest ferry you can — the ride itself is worth it, and you’ll arrive before the majority of the crowds descend.

Once on Capri, it’s easy to see why artists and writers have flocked here for centuries. The colors alone could fill a sketchbook — the turquoise sea shifting to indigo, the soft ochres and pinks of the houses, the bursts of bougainvillea climbing stone walls. I came away with lots of photos and so many ideas for future paintings.

Yes, it’s crowded — everyone, it seems, has discovered how special this island is — but there are still quiet corners if you know where to look. Slip down a narrow side street, find a shady terrace, or take a walk above the secondary town of Anacapri, and suddenly the noise falls away. You’ll find yourself in a pocket of calm where all you can hear is the sea below and the rustle of wind in the trees.

There’s something about Capri’s light that makes you want to paint. It’s both soft and vivid, wrapping every surface in a warm glow. The way it bounces off the sea and stone creates a palette you could chase forever.

By the end of the day, my tummy was full, my heart was happy, and my mind was already spinning with ideas for new work. Capri doesn’t just inspire — it stirs something deeper, reminding you why you fell in love with creating in the first place.

Follow along for Day 3 of our Italian painting adventure, when we trade island glamour for the quiet charm of small fishing villages — Cetara and Vietri sul Mare — and discover that sometimes the best art comes from simply wandering