Wednesday the 16th

I'm feeling rather charmed as the weather again today was bright, blue and wonderful. A bit of a breeze, but just beautiful out. Took a walk to the Ponte Vecchio, enjoyed the view and of course, couldn't escape without picking up earrings for Cyan and Kayla! Hard to pick from all that sparkle...but, gave it my best effort!

One of the window displays in one of the shops on the Old Bridge!

At the very centre of the bridge is a bust of Maestro Benvenuto Cellini, and at this spot, the evening's street performer sets up once the sun goes down

The view to one side of the bridge

And the other side. A few clouds in the morning which were gone by noon and the rest of the day was clear

Walked back to the school, and spent the next several hours adding another layer to my painting. I'll take another snap of it on Friday for the blog.

Tuesday, April 15

Another beautiful, blue sky day, and very warm. Spent the morning walking around, I wanted to visit the Spedale degli Innocenti, where the facade features Andrea Della Robbia's glazed terracotta roundels, but it is under construction and the entire facade is covered with painted drop cloths to hide the scaffolding. Oh well....not this time. So I turned it into a glass day, and took a photo of the main doors to one of the banks, where they also have a wonderful art collection on display that visitors are welcome to walk around and enjoy...I want to bank at this type of bank!

Don't let the glass doors fool you, they are inside the solid streetfront doors, and there are cameras and security guards to spare inside

This glass ceiling is the sweet piece that covers the entrance to San Annuziata

The ceiling of Annuziata is totally covered in gold leaf...very heavy and very ornate

Then is was off to the Instituto to get a couple of hours of painting in before the lesson. At about 2:00 I took a break and went for lunch. Found a gorgeous little restaurant very close the the school, and the pasta was perfect!

Today's lunch was wide ribbon pasta with pesto, little tomatoes and freshly grated parm. You can't see the flame on top, but beside the roses there is a candle in that silver holder...fine lunching!

Monday, April 14

Laundry morning, well, folding and stuff like that. Swept the apartment, too...very domestic!

Beautiful bright and blue outside today, so enjoyed walking around, and stopping for a coffee at an outside table.

Only time for one thing this morning, so picked the Musee di Orsammichele - and got an extra surprise when I tried a door, and ta da, there I was in the library for the Societa Dantesca Italiana...the Dante Society. They have books and paintings of the Divine Comedy going back to the 1400s. Not first editions by about 100 years, but beautifully antique and well preserved! Spectacular...what a great place to work and just spend a little time. The librarian was nice enough to open one of the truly huge books, at least 3 ft by 2 ft, and over 4 inches thick. Each page has a hand written canto on the lefthand side and a painting of the scene it describes on the right leaf. No photos allowed, but etched in memory.

Two of the library reading rooms

There was a large class of students in the main church when I got there, so I opted for the museum first, two floors of sculptures. This is the 'first floor' with all the bigger sculptures lining the walls and standing in the middle of the room - from floor '0' it's 87 steps in a spiral staircase to the first floor, and then another 72 steps to the second floor. Legs don't fail me now!

The view from one of the second floor windows!

Time to head to the school...

One of the students volunteered to paint the front of the school's doorway...46 R is the street address.

After painting for about an hour, Kristina arrived and told me that tonight there is a wine tasting for students who want to come along....wine you say...say no more! So at 6:15 we gather at the school and walk to Pozzo Divino...the most truly unique wine cellar I've ever been in. Pinto, owner and proprietor, told us the story of his shop. The store front upstairs is very nice, and then you descend a couple of staircases to what was once the tunnels connecting two of the main prisons in Florence. Dante and Machiavelli were both imprisoned here. Enough words, the wine was mouth-filling and palate-pleasing to the max!

(L to r) Ricardo, Kristina, Katarina, Anna at our table...we've not yet begun

After a few wine samples, cheese, prosciutto, salami and bread, there is less room on the table

Heaven...I'm in heaven

The bottle in the box is decorated with Swarovski crystals...Happy New Year perhaps...

A walk about Sunday

After the long day yesterday, I lounged around a bit this morning. But, not too long, after all there are still so many things to see and do! Today, two things on the roster...Santa Maria Novella - where Masaccio's fabulous frescos can be seen- and then to the Palazzo Strozzi - where a wonderful exhibition of Pontormo and Rosso Fiorenino are on special display until the end of July.

But first I happened upon San Lorenzio, I think I mentioned that the Medeci crest is everywhere...even emblazoned in gold on the cathedral ceilings!

The facade of the Santa Maria Novella...which doesn't begin to hint at the vastness that stretches out behind and to the side.

Just a few of Masaccio's frescos - scene after scene, stacked up in the Brancacci chapel...

This fresco, a stand alone on one wall, was a ground breaking painting as it introduced a form of perspective that artists hadn't used before, but which revolutionized painting and paved the way for more perspective advancements.

And then it was on to the Strozzi...

The draping and the colours ... wonderful!

Cosimo il Vecchio (the Elder)...the beginning of di Medici dynasty, by Pontormo

On the walk back, I went through the square in front of the arch marking 'L'Antico Centro Della Citta' - the ancient centre of the city. Street performers were set up, the merry-go-round was working and the shops were open...Sunday in Florence. Tomorrow, Monday, most everything is closed, museums, galleries, etc., but Sunday...it's party on!

It was slightly overcast for parts of the day, but it only rained when I was in the Strozzi, and by the time I came out, the streets were wet, but the showers had passed and it made for a warm, fresh and delightful walk back to my apartment.

Ahhhh Venice

What could be nicer than a Saturday in Venice? Well, an additional whole week would be nice, but one must make do! Had a terrific time. A fellow art student, Kristina from Sweden came with and we ate, drank, spent way too long in the Doge's Palace...but it was something that I missed last time, and it was my one 'must see' item...

Scala dei Giganti (Giant's Staircase) the processional staircase in the palace

One corner of the Council Chamber...works by Titian and many other Venetian masters

And then for a little walk through the square...we found out during our journeys that it is graduation weekend for the university and it's crazy party time all weekend ... Very busy, but fun.

 

In the square....the oldest still operating coffee shop in Venice, and second oldest in the world...

The Florian

If you've seen the wonderful old movie 'Death in Venice' starring Dirk Bogarde, well, this coffee shop is featured in the movie! This is just one of the 'rooms'

Our Gondolier, Marco, of course!

One last pix from the top of the Rialto Bridge....ahhhh Venice!

Friday already

Another beautiful bright sunny day, the weather has been spectacular. Off first thing this morning, after a delightful coffee, to the national museum, Bargello - Baccio Bandinelli...just amazing!

View of the courtyard from the third floor - over 80 steps to the third floor, btw.

From sketches...

To sculptures, plus a treasure drove of paintings...it was over three hours of pure bliss to just walk slowly around and try to take in as much as possible.

And of course, the star of the show...

Donatello's David

No small niche for this masterpiece, that's him in the left hand corner, taken from the entrance to the room.

Since I mentioned the stairs in this palace, I will jot down here that it's 44 stairs up to my apartment, and then there are another 20 stairs up to the bedroom...no one needs a stairclimber in this city!

Just one more to round out the mini tour...my fav guy Bachus, God of Wine! Love this guy...

And tomorrow....VENICE for a day! 

 Oh, and here's how I had to leave my young lady for the weekend...

Looking a little more human, and base coat on some of the dress. On Monday, before class, I will put another layer on the hat and the red part of the sleeves. The blending on the skin is done with very small feather lite strokes following the contour of the form. 

Thursday...a busy day at the studio

Time to make up a few hours of painting time...after the slow drying gesso...

Sonja keeps telling me to just go with the process, and it's so different, well I must have a little faith, I suppose.

First layer...green undertones for all flesh parts, and as sketchy as it looks, Sonja keeps saying, "Perfecto." The red an the hat and dress will be red, the red undertone on the border and the jewelry is the base for the gold leaf!!!

Three layers on the background, and it's starting to look rather velvety, so ... The third layer, and all the layers after that start to really lend themselves to blending, hence the very smooth transitioning of colour seen in tempra. Just the start to the face, and there was the whole day - gone. All told, I spent almost 7 hours in the studio...best holiday ever!

On my way home, I stopped and picked up my ticket to Venice for Saturday...it will be time for a little break.

Absolutely fabulous pasta dish for supper tonight...wine, fresh bread, cheese...and a wee glass of Limoncello for a late night treat!