But exquisite paintings and creative art within the walls of the country's official residence were not enough for the ambassador's spouse, Camilla de Martino, when she arrived in the nation's capital four years ago.

She commandeered a studio space in the centre of the home to continue her passion for sculpture and art while living in Australia.

Mrs de Martino has become a travelling artist, thanks to her husband Gian Ludovico's role in the Italian diplomatic core.

She has journeyed with him for more than two decades.

They met and married when he was posted in Moscow and, apart from spells at home in Italy, have lived in France and recently had a long stretch in Iraq.

Mrs de Martino jokes that perhaps they were posted to the Australian capital because it was a nice, peaceful place after living in Baghdad for so long.

She said getting into the diplomatic lifestyle at a later stage of life - theirs is the second marriage for each of them - has made it easier.

''I came into it at a mature sort of age so I was already a fairly independent person and I'm an artist so therefore I have my own life,'' Mrs de Martino said.

''I am a person who is very curious; I like to find out about things.''

While Mrs de Martino was born in London she considers herself a European and has travelled extensively and exhibited her work throughout countries such as France, Italy and Spain.

She has held solo and collective exhibitions in London, Rome, Paris, Bucharest and Baghdad, and her work is displayed in the contemporary sculpture collection in St Petersburg's Hermitage Museum.

The Italian ambassador entered the diplomatic service in 1978 and met his future wife during his third posting in Moscow.

The couple have now returned home following the completion of their four-year stint in the nation's capital.

But Mrs de Martino left with fond memories of the friends they've made and the country they've enjoyed since encountering the capital for the first time.

''The impression of Canberra has changed, of course, over the years because when you arrive you think it's very, very empty, you don't see anybody around and it's completely unlike any other city that one's been to,'' she said.

''Then you start to get used to it and you start to find how to go around the various places you can shop and then the diplomatic wives situation is very well organised so you immediately meet with them.

''You can get into all sorts of activities … where you will be with other people, meet other people, because it's quite strange to arrive not knowing anybody.''

After spending a year travelling around the cities in Australia, Mrs de Martino settled into her Canberra life, adjusting things in the grand Italian residence and getting on with her artistic work.

She asked the architect of the home Enrico Taglietti to sit for a sculpture - he obliged - and then completed a bronze casting course through the Continuing Education program at the Australian National University.

The university asked her to teach portrait sculpture as a visiting artist, and because she couldn't be employed, was able to use the facilities in return for her instruction.

She has also asked some of her students to sit for her.

Mrs de Martino said she regretted not seeing quite as much of the country as she could have.

She and her husband have done horse riding camping trips in the Snowy Mountains, an artistic camping trip up past Alice Springs to the MacDonnell Ranges, visited the Great Barrier Reef and spent time with friends in Sydney and the country.

''I think we'll probably come back and have a proper holiday some time and go over to Western Australia, go over to Broome, go and do the Northern Territory, or the Flinders Ranges - we just haven't done that sort of thing,'' Mrs de Martino said.

''You have to enjoy the country, it's absolutely fabulous, the winter is even marvellous.

''I was a bit scared of the winter because I used to escape to Italy … but this year I was here and I really enjoyed it.''

The de Martinos will now await the next posting that will transport them into the unknown and a new home to enliven with beautiful objects collected along their travels.

But there is no doubt Mrs de Martino's experience in Canberra will help shape the art she creates wherever she finds her next temporary studio.