The Sunday I Never Made It to Murano
The list said Murano, glass factories, back streets. My legs said something else entirely. So I stayed on the mainland with the actual Venetians and drew all day instead.
July 19, 2026
Discover the Best of Art Blogs Australia: A Journey with Danielle B Latta.
Welcome to a vibrant corner of art blogs Australia, where creativity meets conversation. Join Danielle B Latta, a seasoned artist with a passion for storytelling, as she unveils the world of art through her unique lens.
Redentore Saturday: The Quiet Before Venice Lights Up
Before Redentore’s fireworks fill Venice, an artist walks the empty Grand Canal and Castello’s quiet campos at dawn, sketching a rowing boatman, a hidden Baroque church, and a dog asleep in a moored boat.
July 18, 2026
Burano: Chasing Colour Across the Venetian Lagoon
Before dawn, Venice belongs to nobody. A solo walk from the Grand Canal to colour-drenched Burano, caught between a sudden lagoon shower and a single white brushstroke that said everything the photographer had been chasing all week.
July 17, 2026
The Giardini: Napoleon’s Garden, Now a Turf War Between Nations
A wander through the Venice Biennale’s Giardini, from a folded gold ribbon and a piano under a rippling ceiling to feathered figures in a colonnade, plus the 1907 story of how nations came to build permanent pavilions here.
July 16, 2026
The Arsenale: Where Looking Too Hard Used to Get You Killed
Before the Biennale crowds arrive, a dawn walk to the Arsenale, once the largest shipyard in pre-industrial Europe, where revealing a shipbuilding secret meant execution. Now filled with contemporary art instead of warships.
July 15, 2026
Venice Before Breakfast: Stealing the City at First Light
Before the Venice Biennale crowds and heat arrive, one early riser crosses from Mestre to Dorsoduro at first light, finding empty canals, leaning campaniles and a Grand Canal all to himself.
July 14, 2026
Milan Between Trains: The Only Cathedral I Saw Was a Station
An artist crossing Italy by train skips the Duomo and Last Supper entirely, and instead finds Milan’s real spectacle in Milano Centrale, Ulisse Stacchini’s 1931 station of arched glass, iron ribs and backlit crowds.
July 13, 2026
Over the Bernina: a Little Red Train and a Vanishing Glacier
A rest-day ride on the UNESCO-listed Bernina Express leads to Morteratsch Glacier, where year markers since 1878 trace two and a half kilometres of retreat, and to Alp Gruem’s donkeys, stone barns, and Segantini’s Alpine light.
July 12, 2026
Varenna: an Owl Above the Lake
A sketching day in Varenna on Lake Como. Train up, walking trail through the olive trees to Castello di Vezio, eagle owls at close range, then gesture studies on the ferry pier as the lake week wraps up.
July 11, 2026
Como and Cantù: a City That Knows Its Craft
A business day in Como and Cantù, where silk built a city and lace built its neighbour. Talks with a silk printing house about printing ink work on fabric, plus 62 reference photos for the studio year ahead.
July 10, 2026
Chiavenna and Piuro: Drawing the Pompeii of the Alps
A day of sketching in Chiavenna and Piuro, the alpine town buried by a landslide in 1618. Mossy alleys, soapstone workshops, green-glass river water, and evening pages turning gathered photos into working ink drawings.
July 9, 2026
Bellagio: Old Bicycles, New Crowds
A July ferry trip to Bellagio on Lake Como, where the crowds rewrote the plan and a stone house covered in retired bicycles stole the day. Five photos, all texture and geometry, for future linework.
July 8, 2026
Bellano: the Fisherman’s Son Who Painted His Village
Giancarlo Vitali spent ninety years painting Bellano and filled Milan’s Palazzo Reale at 88. A day at the Orrido gorge and art set into the village walls becomes a lesson: look harder at what you have.
July 7, 2026
North of the Postcards: Making Camp at the Quiet End of Lake Como
Skipping the glamorous end of Lake Como, an artist sets up a travelling studio in a village house near Colico, planning a week of daily sketching trips to Bellano, Varenna, Bellagio and Chiavenna.
July 6, 2026
Florence: Meeting the Forger Who Fooled the Louvre
A sketching day in Florence from the Oltrarno side: gesture drawings in the Boboli Gardens, gallery research on Via Maggio, and the strange story of Giovanni Bastianini, the sculptor whose bust fooled the Louvre.
July 5, 2026
Rome in a Day: Marble Giants on Borrowed Sleep
One jet-lagged day in Rome, seen through an illustrator’s eyes: the Colosseum before nine, sketch notes at the Vittoriano, pop surrealism at the Dorothy Circus Gallery, and pricing lessons from the Piazza Navona street artists.
July 4, 2026
Life is a constant evolution; roll with it
Follow the evolution of Running Duck Studio, from animation to art, and discover the studio’s journey to success.
January 18, 2025
Are you loving life?
Find happiness in life’s moments with Running Duck Studio’s artwork and self-reflection.
November 15, 2024
Beyond the Frame: The Art of Controversy
A thought-provoking exploration of art’s emotional impact and the blurred lines between creativity and controversy.
August 17, 2024
Final Destination, Following the Creative Path of Least Resistance
My artistic journey from limited options to unique ink style, with a focus on commissioned portraits, in-betweening, and the development of my signature style.
May 30, 2024
Welcome to My World of Art Blogs Australia
Hello there! I’m Danielle Latta, and this is where my journey as an artist and storyteller unfolds. In the bustling landscape of art blogs in Australia, I bring you Running Duck Studio’s Art Blog, a special space where art isn’t just seen—it’s felt and experienced.
From the days of crafting animations at Walt Disney to now, black and white drawings that capture the essence of nature and emotion, my path has been one of endless discovery and creative expression. This blog is my personal canvas, where I share those discoveries with you.
Here, you won’t just find posts about art. You’ll step into my world, where each article is a piece of my heart and mind. I delve into everything that makes art a pivotal part of our lives—from my passion for black and white and the inspirations behind my work to the little joys and challenges of being an artist in Australia.
Whether you’re an art lover, a fellow creator, or just someone stopping by, I hope you find something here that speaks to you. Maybe it’s a tip that ignites your creativity, a story that resonates with your own experiences, or simply a moment of beauty to brighten your day.
So, come along on this adventure with me. Let’s explore the vibrant, ever-evolving world of art together. Welcome to the Running Duck Studio Art Blog—where each post is a new chapter in our shared love for art.
Bringing Our Artistic Journey Full Circle
As we reach the end of our current collection of stories and insights, I’d like to take a moment to extend my gratitude to you for joining me on this artistic adventure. Your presence and engagement make Running Duck Studio’s blog a thriving community of art enthusiasts.
Connecting with the Wider Art Community
The world of art extends beyond our individual experiences. It’s about connecting with others, sharing our passions, and growing together. In that spirit, I invite you to explore Tawny Trails, a wonderful platform where the beauty of art and nature intertwine in fascinating ways.
Additionally, for those of you interested in connecting with a broader network of artists and art lovers, the Moreton Bay Arts Council is an incredible resource. They offer a wealth of opportunities, events, and collaborations that enrich our understanding and appreciation of art in our community.
Share Your Thoughts and Stay Connected
Your thoughts, feedback, and stories are what make this blog a living, breathing part of the art world. I encourage you to share your reflections on the posts you’ve read, any art experiences you’ve had, or simply what you’d love to see more of in future posts.
Don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter for the latest updates, stories, and special behind-the-scenes glimpses into my artistic process. And if you’re not already following us on social media, join us there for daily doses of inspiration and community interaction.
A Parting Note
As we part ways (only until the next post!), I leave you with this thought: art is not just about what we create, but also about the connections we forge and the stories we share. Let’s continue to create, share, and inspire together.
Looking forward to our next artistic rendezvous on the Running Duck Studio Art Blog!