I met Diva Pyari, creator of the art, design and travel brand Linea Carta, at one of her modern calligraphy workshops in Berkeley, California about five years ago. We instantly bonded over our love for Italy, la dolce vita, making art and curating special experiences for our clients. Fast forward a couple of years, past many chats over glasses of prosecco, museum visits and nature walks, and we decided to collaborate on a Slow Art Retreat to Venice. It was one of my highlights in 2018!
It gives me great pleasure to present Diva’s work and words below with all of you. AND, as a special sneak peak, Diva and I will be joining forces again on a Slow Travel Retreat in Umbria soon! Stay tuned for more about that.
Interview with Diva Pyari of Linea Carta
This interview is part of a series. As an art-curator-turned-sommelier, it brings me great pleasure to share with you artists who are inspired by Italian wine, food, and culture. Other featured artists have included Minty Sainsbury, Jennifer Wilkin Penick and James Pouliot.
Ciao Bella! Would you share with everyone how you came up with the name Linea Carta for your brand?
I worked in fashion for years and there were many collections a year we called lines—the Spring Line, Fall Line, Holiday Line, etc. After living in Italy for several years I started my stationery company of hand-printed cards and invitations and called it Linea Carta (Paper Line)! Italy and Italian had become a part of me and back in California it was my small way to include it in my day to day.
I was lucky to collaborate with you on one of your beautiful Slow Art Retreats. What is your concept for these experiences and what inspired you to do them?
Yes, what a beautiful week we had together! One of the things I love most about Italy is the lifestyle. Slowing down to enjoy aperitivo with friends, swimming in the sea, eating seasonally and locally, finding the best gelato in town, lingering over sunset views, taking an evening stroll…And never mind the Sistine Chapel, what about those beautiful old stone walls in Sicily, the vintage hand-painted tiles in Amalfi, lovely little chapels around every corner, sea views and valley views.
I figure if folks want to go to the main tourist sights they can extend their stay, but the last thing I want is to pack into a tour bus or fight the crowds herding a group from here to there. Instead, we stay in one beautiful place for the week, off the beaten path, with stunning views, typically late spring or early fall when the weather is perfect, exploring the area and getting to know the locals and what makes their hometown (or island or city) special—from nature to crafts to cuisine. I also start each day with a guided meditation and a creative workshop, include a day trip mid-week, and love partnering with another artist or local expert.
Many people know you as a multi-talented calligrapher, painter, and designer. How would you describe your art practice?
I've been expanding my view of what it is to be an artist, especially through these wild times! From simply sketching a favorite fruit in season, to foraging an early spring bouquet, or photographing the afternoon light playing shadows on the living room wall. The key is to follow what lights me up! And a large part of my practice is sharing it and then making time/space for others to connect with their own creativity! That's been my focus with my Daily Sketch classes: encouraging anyone that has the interest to start where they are, and facilitating the time to practice—and the art of enjoying it!! After all, haven't we all learned how important appreciating the simple things, friends and human connection is this year?!
What are the major subjects/ themes of your work?
Enjoying beauty & the Mediterranean! Nature and animals have also played a large part of my design inspiration over the years (especially my two gorgeous dogs Henry & Nico). Regarding our Daily Sketch/ sketchbooking practice, we find light and color in the most mundane of household items! I love fruit, seascapes, and documenting any little gift for myself I've collected, whether a handmade plate, a flea market find, or a fancy chocolate. And when in Italy it's often from those moments of pause—at a cafe I'll sketch a sugar packet with a sweet vintage design/logo, a striped beach umbrella in the breeze by the sea, or the colors of my gelato (this could be an entire book!).
What qualities or ideas do you wish your works to imbue?
Just like my passion for sharing beauty and the good life (slowing down to take notice), I want to translate my love and joy for whatever I'm creating—even if its just an illustration of my sunglasses, I want to show the light reflecting off the plastic and the warm brown in the tortoise shell pattern.
I believe this practice brings more appreciation, connection, and happiness. And on my retreats it's my attention to curating our week, like the sunset views over the Mediterranean from our villa, a candlelit dinner with a wonderful family-owned restaurant, or a boat ride and swim at a secret beach where the water is lit up like a gemstone and its all for us! But most of all honoring the connection of enjoying it together.
What has surprised or inspired you about your travels in Italy?
Abruzzo! Originally it wasn't in my travel plans, more of a detour. I was in Puglia two years ago with my dog Nico, looking at properties and discovering the region, when there was an unexpected heat wave—so we changed our plans and headed to the higher altitude of a couple hilltop towns in Abruzzo. I was blown away by the beauty of this region, the peacefulness of its protected forests, the lovely & flowered towns, and the kindness of strangers.
What materials do you use to make your work? And what are your must-have art supplies while traveling?
Although I've been researching cameras for a few years now I'm still photographing with my iphone and its probably the smallest lightest travel camera there is, right?! Here is the art supply list (also my personal favorites) for my sketchbooking workshops and retreats:
Travelogue Artist Watercolor Journal
Strathmore Watercolor Postcard pad
Mechanical pencil (Paper Mate #2)
Watercolors (Schmincke Travel Set 8 half pans - they are pricey but wonderful / or the more affordable Winsor & Newton Cotman Sketchers Pocket Box)
Brush (Aquash Water Brush Medium - or other round brush size 6)
What are you currently working on/ what's coming up next for you?
I have several retreats in Italy coming together for this fall and next spring, it's so exciting—oh, how I've missed traveling and bringing people together in the name of beauty!! I also just finished my first video class, that's been on my list for a long long time (I have a series of videos I'm working on editing and hope to release this summer).
Favorite wine?
I loved that chilled light red we had with your Venetian friends! I loved shopping for it with you, and it was a special day in the home of Italian friends preparing an amazing fish lunch for us—a glass of wine I'll always remember!
Favorite Region of Italy?
If I knew that I'd be living there right now! The green of Abruzzo & the spirit of Sicily. Or the sea of Puglia and the cuisine of Emilia-Romagna. The sparkle of the Veneto and the grace of Tuscany? The Roma of Lazio (my favorite city)…And yes still more to explore :)
Something on your bucket list?
To find that dream home by the sea (and big enough to host retreats/ friends, & family)!
Someone or something for which you are grateful?
You!!! friends new and old, including those that showed up on Zoom for my Daily Sketch all year (THANK YOU).
How can people find you/ follow you?
@lineacarta on Instagram or my website Linea Carta
Interested in a Slow Travel Retreat in Umbria with me and Diva?
About Leslie Rosa, Founder of La Dolce Vigna
Ciao! My name is Leslie Rosa. After a decade of working in the art world for eminent institutions and artists in New York and London, I moved to Italy, fell in love with the diversity of Italian wine and became a certified sommelier with the Associazione Italiana Sommelier.
As an art-curator-turned-sommelier, my passion is to create immersive experiences and itineraries in which each day tells a story and offers an in-depth look at the history and culture of a particular region through the lens of wine.
When not leading tours, you can find me doing pop-up wine tastings, writing for the Slow Wine Guide, or getting lost someplace beautiful with my travel watercolor set!
Follow @ladolcevigna on Instagram
