Artist Caravaggio in Firenze

Now usually on Thursday evenings, my friend Lisa and I attend the art history lectures given by Charles Cecil at his art school in Florence. Yesterday was no exception, despite Valentine’s Day. In fact, Mr. Cecil joked that perhaps he should not discuss the artist Caravaggio on such a holiday since Caravaggio killed a man. But it was a great lecture.

Afterwards, we went to our usual ristorante to share a pizza. We always try something new and just before ordering, I noticed a pizza named ‘Viagra.’ How perfect was that for some dateless wonders on the lover’s holiday? And it has lots of meat on it! Heh. So, Lisa and I got a kick out of our choice.

GianFranco acted amused. He is always our waiter on these nights and he greets us warmly each Thursday. He is one of the few Florentines who actually speaks Italian with us, so Lisa and I have been learning a lot from him. Only, this time, GianFranco returned to our table and explained to us that the owner required that we order two beers with our pizza. That was a bit odd, but we were hungry, so . . . OK. Afterwards Lisa confessed that she did not like beer. Well, I certainly did not need them after the free-flowing wine at the Charles Cecil Studios. But, you know, when in Roma . . . or Firenze . . .

Well, after all that drinking, it made sense that I would need to ask GianFranco to show me the bagno. He did and as I turned inside the room to shut the door, I saw him still standing where I left him. I asked him to speak, “Dimi.”

And GianFranco asked, “hai boys?” (“Do you have boys?”) Since we normally speak in Italian, my brain wanted to figure out what ‘boys’ meant in Italian. I responded with a confused, “non ho capito questo ‘boys.’” He rephrased, “Do you have men?” The plural threw me. For some reason, my often literally oriented mind interpreted this to mean ‘as in a stable of men.’ A little confused, I responded, “non.” He then politely said, “Ok, see you next week” since his shift was over.

Lisa thought this was the funniest exchange and asked me how I managed to have such bizarre conversations while just going about my life.

Gille in Florence Italy

Happy Valentine's Day -- Buona Festa di San Valentino!
These images are from the window of Gille -- a popular tourist ristorante and dolci shoppe near Piazza della Repubblica in Firenze, Italia.

Raining Confetti in Florence

One recent evening on my way home from the studio, I noticed that it was raining confetti again. Italians – or maybe only Florentines – seem to love showering the streets on any or no apparent occasion with lots of colored paper dots.

This time I looked up and saw a young child diligently reaching into a loaded bag held by, I presumed, her nonna (grandmother). I waved as I called, “Buona sera! Permesso?” asking for permission to take their photos as I waved a camera in my hand. I thanked them as I moved on to my next stop, but it is moments like these that remind me of why living in a small city can be charming.




PS Buon Compleanno – H Happy Birthday, (brother) Steve! ti amo.

Pencil Portrait Drawing

This is the sketch of my friend Christina that I did in January. This drawing was originally intended to be a portrait only, but I enjoyed the energia in the lines of the figure and clothing. I actually sat on the floor and looked up at the model to make this portrait in pencil. I wish that I had had more time to explore the textures of fabric, but then I might lose the loose quality that I enjoy so much here . . .
See what you think.

Despite the quality of the photograph, this is a pencil sketch done on a white Arches paper.

Somerset Drawing Paper

Somerset Drawing Paper

I am trying out a paper that I bought in the States this holiday season. It is called Somerset (Antique is the color) and I am using it for my 5-week charcoal drawing project of a model named Francesco. This image shows where I am – I am the Queen of macchiata. I mean that my technique needs to improve because my application of the charcoal on the paper is rather blotchy.

This drawing follows the same procedure as my drawing last fall of Sara. This process I am learning is wonderful and logical,; for all successful artists work in systems. However, I have yet to learn how to obtain a smooth tone.

I do not have enough experience with charcoal and papers to know whether or not the Somerset will work, but my fear is that it will not. It accepted rather well the Rembrandt Black pastel stick that I used for the pedestal. However, while rubbing my soft Bs into the background before sponging it, I discovered that fine pieces of paper or a lint of sorts, rubbing off with excess carboncino.

International Pancake Day, Italy

OK, apparently today was Fat Tuesday and I did not realize it. Oh well. However, I received a spontaneous invitation from my friend Skye while I was working on my cast drawing in charcoal. Apparently it is not only model Sara’s birthday, it is also International Pancake Day. So lots of folks like me accepted her impromptu party invitation and enjoyed lovely, sweet thin Australian pancakes topped with proscuito, pomodoro, formaggio, funghi, pesto, o fragola, zucchero, limone, banana, miele, gelato, cioccolato, Nutella, e più

Great fun and on my way home, I got to see lots of good eye candy – like an Italian man walking down Via Verde in a pink dress. Happy Mardi Gras!
Ciao, ciao, from Florence, Italy.

Charcoal Figure Drawing Art

Ciao! Oggi it rains, so I have decided to set up a safer photoshoot in my room here on the same street that the house of Michelangelo is on in Firenze, so that I may get a final image of my charcoal drawing of Sara. So, here she is – 66 x 46 cm and the title is “A World Away.” Most models are familiar with this idea of where their minds travel while they are not moving during the pose.

Sara’s birthday is the 5th and I have come to understand that I do not always meet deadlines for myself, but if I set them based on what I would like to do for other people, the deadline takes on more significance for me and are met. When the rain stops and I have time, I will spray her with fixative and then take my charcoal drawing to the frame shop for a cornice. She will be more protected in this way and ready for her new life in someone else’s space.

I hope you enjoy “A World Away” and my little blog discussions during her creation about my choices on the disegno. Grazie!