A few of the pieces from my portfolio review

For my portfolio review, I included a few sketch books, some feature studies in watercolour, several portrait and figure pieces, landscapes, still life pieces, and a few abstracts for good measure. Most of the works are oil on canvas, but there are a couple of acrylic on canvas pieces, too.

I will start with the portrait and figure pieces...

After J.L.David - 'Patroclus' - oil on canvas - one of my favourite paintings and the one I chose when we were tasked to recreate a masterpiece.

Dreadlocks and a Green Pashmina - acrylic on canvas...impressionist style, live model.

Marilyn Meets Bosch - acrylic on canvas - a juxtaposition the legs of the sexiest woman to grace the silver screen meets an image from the mind of a most judgemental painter.

Pam III - minimalism, a'la Matisse - acrylic on canvas

Landscapes...

Deidre's Waterfall - triptych - oil on canvas

Cherry blossoms for Kintaro - triptych - oil on canvas

Old Soldiers - acrylic on canvas

A few still life pieces....

Still Life 9 -oil on canvas

Still Life 7- oil on canvas -greyscale

Still Life 14 - oil on canvas

And a few abstracts, more playing with acrylic...

The Elements - acrylic on canvas

Abstract 19, 20 and 21 - acrylic on canvas

Sunday evening

To celebrate my last night, I went to a very nice restaurant right in the Piazza, enjoyed a delicious plateful of gnocchi with gorgonzola and pear...all in a velvety cream sauce! Some Chianti Classico to sip along with the meal.

The view from my table at Le Cavilliero...

The very light rain just made the cobblestones glisten!

And then across to my favorite coffee shop for Creme Caramel and a cappuccino 

What a way to end a perfect vacation, sitting and admiring the Palazzo Vecchio and a full sized replica of Michelangelo's David!

My favourite statue in the Loggia...The Rape of the Sabine Women... Now home to pack!

Sunday morning

Florence is acting out what I'm feeling with a light cloud cover all morning and then some gentle showers...I don't have to shed a tear cause the skies are doing it for me!

But, my last morning so after enjoying breakfast

It was walk about for the final morning time. And wouldn't you know it, a new exhibit just opened at the Medici-Riccardi Palazzo...this one all about Pinoccio, who was a Florentine, you know!

The featured artist is moderna...and all of the sculptures are lacquered brass and coloured plexiglass.

Whimsical and such fun...there were dozens more...but you get the picture.

Time for a cappuccino, complete with the Firenza coat of arms in cocoa

Couldn't resist snapping a shot of this painting...

And since it was raining, I walked over and picked up my certificate and then went back to the hotel and went to the spa and just relaxed in the steam room...another post later...after supper and to celebrate my last evening in Italy!

Saturday...warmest day yet!

In fact, so warm that I had to buy a lighter top to walk around in.

First order of business was a visit to the national library. 

Most if the books must be requested...but there are a few stacks that can be accessed.

One of the reading rooms

Front foyer

Back at the hotel and all checked in, a bit bigger room this time. 

After checking in, more walking about, and since it's Saturday, there were several street performers out and about. Met Kristina one last time for supper at a little restaurant on the other side of the river...didn't take any pix as I think there are enough photos of pasta included already. Can't believe that tomorrow is my last day here, although it will be nice to get home and hug the family! 

Friday...and an Italian holiday

What a great day it was today. It got to about 24 degrees and it was blue sky and sunshine all day long! I hit the streets early and just started walking. Went in a direction that I haven't gone I before, just to walk and see what I'd see. And just in case I haven't mentioned it, the gelato is as delicious as it has always been. My favorite...limone!

Walked to Fortezza da Basso, a huge fortification that is rather impressive. And this weekend, the entire fort is full of artisans of every description. So had a great time walking around looking at all sorts of stuff from soap and perfume to furniture. Truly a wild assortment of wares.

Coolest lights...glass jellyfish!

Spices...

Candy...

After this market...walked a little closer to the centre of things and ended up at the international market, a huge place that houses the Lorenzo de'Medici cooking school...

Wouldn't this be fun to attend for a month or so?

As I passed the Bank of Italy, I couldn't help notice the sculptures over their doors. The sculptures over each of the main doors are similar, but the little cherubs are indifferent postures.

I think they are saying that they have lots of food and lots of money!

Thursday...last class day

OAnd I can't believe that class is done...it's been so much fun and I've learned so much...so before anything else from today...here's my painting..still needs a few layers, but she's looking pretty good!

This morning, as I was out for a bit of a walk before class, I came upon the old fish market. No longer a Fish market, now stalls of antiques dominate the space, but, truly a memorable little spot.

To celebrate the last class day for Richard and me, Kristine, Ally and Richard and I went for a fabulous dinner at the Four Lions...delicious, from the pasta stuffed with pear and smothered in a cream sauce with asparagus, to the Panna Cotta that I enjoyed for dessert...it was wonderful.

Creamiest Panna Cott I've ever had...

And on the walk home, came across this street artist...amazing...Flora from Bottacelli's Prima Vera! 

Wednesday...a long day in the studio

This week, as well as Easter Monday, there is also a holiday on Friday. Which means that today I had to get parts of my painting done so that tomorrow I can learn and practice one of the last techniques I'm here to learn. The studio opens at 11:00, and I was there about 10 minutes after the doors opened. 

I did go for a nice long walk early in the morning, and happened upon the Instituto of Leather Working. The institute is in an old church and the display rooms are packed with some beautiful works. 

Walking thru the courtyard of the school of leather

Great old staircase...no longer in use, but worth a picture 

They are trying to replicate a few of the statues that have started to crumble...this one especially caught my eye - reminded me of the book 'City of Falling Angels' 

At 6:30, it was time to clean up as the Instituto closes at 7:00. One of the new students this week, Ally from New York, came with Kristina and me to a wonderful little restaurant where you go in, sit down, they bring glasses of wine and water for the table, and then you go help yourself to the myriad dishes they have that evening. Tonight it was about 10 different salads and cold dishes and 4 hot dishes...polenta (yum), a wonderful spicy ragu, crispy chicken legs and ribs together in one covered pan, and a tomato basil and bread dish that was delicious. The thing about this place is that it costs 8 Euro per person, wine included. A great deal for a really good meal.

Not a lot of photos today, I was too busy painting....

But here's one that Kristina sent me today from our cooking class on Monday...what a great place to eat, drink and chat up a storm!