In conversation with Lana Daubermann about painting, paper, travel and our September 2027 artist retreat in Fabriano.
You would think a town that's been making paper for over 700 years might be an obvious destination for artists.
Painters, illustrators, writers, designers, printmakers... So many creative pursuits begin with a blank sheet of paper. And Fabriano has been making rather good paper for centuries.
Yet somehow, this little city in Le Marche still flies under the radar.
Not entirely, of course. Artists from around the world already know the Fabriano name, and we've welcomed a wonderfully mixed collection of creatives through the doors of Fritto Misto Comune. Our From Fabriano, With Love postcard project has also introduced us to some extraordinary local artists.
So we've been thinking — why not bring more of them here?
Which brings us to Australian landscape artist Lana Daubermann, whose own creative journey has recently led her towards working on paper. A rather fitting coincidence, and the beginning of a collaboration that will bring Lana and a group of Australian artists to Fabriano in September 2027.
We caught up with Lana to talk about her work, what keeps drawing her back to painting and why a small Italian town with a rather impressive history of papermaking might be just the place for her next creative adventure.
First things first, meet Lana
Lana is primarily a landscape painter working in oils, often en plein air — outdoors, directly from the landscape.
She's been painting since childhood, and it's the process of painting, rather than simply the finished work, that keeps bringing her back.
"It's such a special way to connect with a place, to feel present and still in a moment."
For Lana, moving paint around, responding to what's happening on the canvas and to the world around her is both magical and meditative.
And more recently, her practice has been changing.
For years, she thought of herself as a painter rather than someone who draws. But she's been questioning those imaginary boundaries and exploring new ways of working.
Which brings us rather neatly to paper.
Why Fabriano, and why now?
When we asked Lana what drew her to Fabriano, she admitted that it began with a rather serendipitous connection.
That would be us, and our good friend Marco from Basecamp523.
But it was Lana's growing interest in working on paper that made the idea particularly appealing.
"I'd always thought of myself as a 'painter' not a 'drawer', but I've been working hard to break down the imaginary barriers between these two 'identities' for the past few years."
And then came the line we particularly loved.
"Paper has been my muse!"
For a city that's been making paper since the 13th century, it's a rather lovely connection.
Lana is especially excited about the opportunity to work with paper in the very place it's made, and to share that experience with her Australian students.
As she put it:
"A place that actually makes the paper we'll be working on is SO SPECIAL."
We couldn't agree more.
What happens when a town becomes your studio?
One of the ideas behind Painting the Light of Le Marche is that Fabriano itself becomes part of the creative experience.
Rather than spending the week in one studio, we'll be exploring the historic centre, surrounding villages, countryside and the places where paper is still being made.
We asked Lana how important working somewhere new is to her creative process.
Her answer was enthusiastic, to say the least.
"New inspiration, new perspectives, new smells, new light, new textures, new energy — what a feast for the senses!"
But what interested us most was how she described the difference between visiting somewhere and actually stopping to observe it.
Taking photographs while wandering through a village is one thing. Sitting down, looking properly and attempting to capture what you see is something quite different.
"By stopping and observing, you end up being part of it."
It's a sentiment that feels very close to what we're trying to create at Fritto Misto Comune.
A little less rushing from one destination to the next, and a little more time to notice what's happening around you.
Lana also makes an interesting point about the finished artwork.
For her, the paintings and drawings are almost by-products of the experience. It's the process of making them that stays with you.
Five days, plenty of painting and a very happy belly
Together with Lana and Marco, we've developed a five-night retreat from 6–11 September 2027, bringing together painting, papermaking, local artists, countryside excursions and some rather good Italian food.
The group will stay in accommodation throughout Fabriano's historic centre, coming together for creative sessions, shared meals and opportunities to explore the region.
There will be visits to local papermakers, time to paint in the countryside, opportunities to meet artists working in Fabriano and, naturally, a few aperitivi.
We asked Lana what she hopes her students will take away from the experience, both creatively and personally.
Her answer might be our favourite of the entire conversation.
"A happy belly, new friends and ongoing inspiration!"
Lana believes that making art is only one part of a successful retreat.
Sharing meals, discovering local produce and spending time with like-minded people can be just as important.
She talks about the joy of finding your people, or as she calls it, "your tribe".
And that's something we've thought a great deal about while developing the week.
It's not just about bringing a group of painters to Italy. It's about introducing them to the people, food, traditions and everyday life that make this particular part of Italy interesting.
When Australian artists meet Fabriano's creative community
Another important part of the retreat is the opportunity for Lana's students to spend time with local artists.
Fabriano has a long relationship with paper and an established creative community, including artists who have spent years working with the landscapes, materials and traditions of the region.
The retreat also coincides with activities around FabrianoInAcquarello, the city's international watercolour gathering, bringing even more artists and creative energy to Fabriano at this time of year.
We asked Lana what interests her about bringing these different creative communities together.
"Meeting fellow creatives from any part of the world is like meeting old friends."
She loves the sense of connection that exists between artists, even when they don't necessarily share a spoken language.
"Although we might not speak the same language on one level, we do on another."
She's also curious about how local artists interpret a landscape they know intimately, compared with the first impressions of artists arriving from Australia.
And, of course, she expects there will be plenty of conversations about paper.
For us at FMC, this is one of the most exciting parts of the project.
We've already seen how creative people find their way to Fabriano, whether through our accommodation, postcard project or the city's international reputation for paper.
Now we're interested in creating more opportunities for those connections to happen.
Not simply inviting artists to visit, but encouraging them to exchange ideas, collaborate and perhaps leave a little something behind.
And what is Lana most looking forward to?
We couldn't finish our conversation without asking what Lana herself is most excited about.
Beyond sharing the experience with her students, she's looking forward to seeing Fabriano through the eyes of the group and finding a few quiet moments to explore her own work.
"I get to enjoy a place through the entire group's eyes."
She's also hoping for some time alone with the landscape, working on locally made paper and seeing where the experience takes her.
Which seems like a rather good reason to travel.
A little more about the retreat
Painting the Light of Le Marche is our first artist retreat in collaboration with Lana Daubermann and Marco from Basecamp523.
Taking place from 6–11 September 2027, the five-night experience brings together a small group of Australian artists to paint, explore and experience Fabriano and the surrounding countryside.
September is one of our favourite times in Le Marche. The light softens, the vineyards approach harvest and the countryside begins its slow transition into autumn.
For us, this retreat is another step towards something we've been imagining for Fritto Misto Comune for quite some time — bringing more creative people to Fabriano and connecting them with the extraordinary community already here.
After all, if a town has spent centuries making the paper, it seems only reasonable to invite the rest of the world to come and make something on it.
Painting the Light of Le Marche
6–11 September 2027 · Fabriano, Italy
Hosted by Lana Daubermann, Fritto Misto Comune and Basecamp523.
Discover the full programme and booking details
From Fabriano, with love.
