Brenda Zlamany, an artist whose studio overlooks the rolling hills of Calabria, Italy, reflects on her unique workspace. Since 2024, she has been painting in an old sausage factory, surrounded by the natural beauty and rural charm of Pollino National Park.

Her average day is a blend of traditional village life—buying vegetables from the fruttivendolo and pescivendolo, and finding solace in her studio. The space, rich with history, has become more than just a workspace; it's also where she presses olives each summer.

In this remote setting, Brenda feels deeply connected to the land and its people. She sees herself as both insider and outsider, respected for her work but also understanding the customs of those who have lived there for generations. Her favorite material is oil paint, a reminder of simpler times when artists had more personal service.

The village's museum dedicated to licorice production serves as a local landmark, reminding Brenda that while Rome has Michelangelo, she and her mountain are unique in their own way.