Why the name? Artemesia Gentileschi was a student of Caravaggio and the first female painter to become a member of the Academia di Arte del Disegno in Florence, Italy. She made a name for herself in a time when females were not considered capable of being accomplished painters.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artemisia_Gentileschi

It is also a connection to Florence (where I used to live) and friends there, and here, who are painters in the realist style.

Well, that was easy! I thought it was about time to try out a blog. I have been a journal writer for many years and this seemed like a logical extension of that activity. I invite you to read and engage with the ideas. I look forward to learning both from my own writing and eventual interaction with other ideas that writing may provoke.