After walking through the hills and steps of Orvieto, we came to this wonderful overlook of the valley.
Thursday, June 04, 2009
Inside the Cathedral
Taking photos inside the Duomo was a challenge - no flash allowed, and since many folks were there praying, it just felt so disrespectful ... so I opted to purchase a book with photos instead. But still, this is one of the many, many incredible works within the Cathedral's walls. Look too to those stained glass windows ... breathtaking!
Orvieto Cathedral
Orvieto -- and the awe-inspiring Duomo! I cannot begin to describe the frescos, paintings, alters,coors, stones, scupltures contained within and upon these walls. I stood with mouth open trying to take it all in!
Etruscan Tombs
I walked inside this tomb, cool in the heat of the day, and marveled at the workmanship and the way these stones and spaces have lasted all these hundreds and hundreds of years!
Etruscan Tombs
Here on of the tombs lies amid grasses and wildflowers .. OH those stories these stones could tell!
Etruscan Tombs sign
We began the day heading toward the wonderful town of Orvieto. En route, we stopped at the Etruscan tombs.
According to Wikipedia:
Etruscan civilization is the modern English name given to the culture and way of life of a people of ancient Italy and Corsica whom the ancient Romans called Etrusci or Tusci.[1] The Attic Greek word for them was Τυρρήνιοι (Tyrrhēnioi) from which Latin also drew the names Tyrrhēni (Etruscans), Tyrrhēnia (Etruria) and Mare Tyrrhēnum (Tyrrhenian Sea).[2] The Etruscans themselves used the term Rasenna, which was syncopated to Rasna or Raśna.[3]
As distinguished by its own language, the civilization endured from an unknown prehistoric time prior to the founding of Rome until its complete assimilation to Italic Rome in the Roman Republic. At its maximum extent during the foundation period of Rome and the Roman kingdom, it flourished in three confederacies of cities: of Etruria, of the Po valley with the eastern Alps, and of Latium and Campania.[4] Rome was sited in Etruscan territory. There is considerable evidence that early Rome was dominated by Etruscans until the Romans sacked Veii in 396 BC.
Visiting their tombs, now emptied save for spiders, was a fabulous experience. How very very ancient the stones, the footfalls upon the paths we trod ...
We were all enraptured with the play of history evidenced by this place!
According to Wikipedia:
Etruscan civilization is the modern English name given to the culture and way of life of a people of ancient Italy and Corsica whom the ancient Romans called Etrusci or Tusci.[1] The Attic Greek word for them was Τυρρήνιοι (Tyrrhēnioi) from which Latin also drew the names Tyrrhēni (Etruscans), Tyrrhēnia (Etruria) and Mare Tyrrhēnum (Tyrrhenian Sea).[2] The Etruscans themselves used the term Rasenna, which was syncopated to Rasna or Raśna.[3]
As distinguished by its own language, the civilization endured from an unknown prehistoric time prior to the founding of Rome until its complete assimilation to Italic Rome in the Roman Republic. At its maximum extent during the foundation period of Rome and the Roman kingdom, it flourished in three confederacies of cities: of Etruria, of the Po valley with the eastern Alps, and of Latium and Campania.[4] Rome was sited in Etruscan territory. There is considerable evidence that early Rome was dominated by Etruscans until the Romans sacked Veii in 396 BC.
Visiting their tombs, now emptied save for spiders, was a fabulous experience. How very very ancient the stones, the footfalls upon the paths we trod ...
We were all enraptured with the play of history evidenced by this place!
Wednesday, June 03, 2009
Labro Doorway
Plein Air Sketch
Studio Paint
9" x 12" Arches 140# CP
After hiking up and down those hills, I settled in the shade of an arched alley to paint his incredible door and array of flowerpots. My friend, Judy, sketched 15 feet around the corner to sketch the wheelbarrow we found there as well. The temperatures were in the 90s, and so the cool of the shade was important to us! LOL
The numbers of pots and flowers at this residence FAR exceeded what I sketched ...and the door was a dull brown. In order to give this image more of that glorious Italian light, I lightened the building and made the door a color I thought was more interesting.
The summer heat has descended here as well. Yesterday we were in the low 90s with equal humidity. Mercy, at this rate, August is going to be miserable! LOL So where is the gelato when one needs it????
Studio Paint
9" x 12" Arches 140# CP
After hiking up and down those hills, I settled in the shade of an arched alley to paint his incredible door and array of flowerpots. My friend, Judy, sketched 15 feet around the corner to sketch the wheelbarrow we found there as well. The temperatures were in the 90s, and so the cool of the shade was important to us! LOL
The numbers of pots and flowers at this residence FAR exceeded what I sketched ...and the door was a dull brown. In order to give this image more of that glorious Italian light, I lightened the building and made the door a color I thought was more interesting.
The summer heat has descended here as well. Yesterday we were in the low 90s with equal humidity. Mercy, at this rate, August is going to be miserable! LOL So where is the gelato when one needs it????
Steps Labro
I cannot emphasize enough how much exercise we got walking up and down these steps as we explored the hill towns! I loved how good it felt to get this kind of exercise!
Stone Ruins en route to Lake Piedeluco and Labro
This shot was taken from the window of the bus of a ruined castle en route to Labro.
Lake Piedeluco
This scene in particular reminded me of my time in Charleston marshes EXCEPT for the looming hills!
Lake Piedeluco
I so hope "m not boring anyone with these!!!
We set out to Labro - city of stone. En route we stopped at Lake Piedeluco for a photo opportunity. We were going to have a lesson on reflections and water, but somehow ever quite got to it! LOL Still, the scenery of the surrounding mountains was stunning!
We set out to Labro - city of stone. En route we stopped at Lake Piedeluco for a photo opportunity. We were going to have a lesson on reflections and water, but somehow ever quite got to it! LOL Still, the scenery of the surrounding mountains was stunning!
Tuesday, June 02, 2009
Scheggino Tower
My first day back at work was, all things considered, very pleasant and truly, not too overwhelming. I have my assistant and gardeners to thank for keeping things moving along -- so a public THANK YOU to them! It sure made returning far less difficult that it might have been!
To change sketching topics a bit (though you know I will return to flowers!! LOL) ... This is one of the church towers at Scheggino ... sketched at La Romita, but painted this weekend. I have quite a few unfinished sketches that I'll be working on this week .. and this was one of them.
I wanted to attempt a building to see if I could render it a bit softer than my ususal approaches ....The 'real life' sketch is a bit darker and the shadows show up better than they do in this scan.
The weather here in NC seems to match the weather we had while in Tuscany - hot, humid, sunny. We were so fortunate to only have a few hours of gentle rain while we were there ....
I am already missing the rhythm of those days, though. The incredible meals prepared at La Romita, the touring of fascinating towns, the exercise of walking .... How is it that two incredible weeks can seem like a dream in such a short time?
Lin Frye
North Carolina
To change sketching topics a bit (though you know I will return to flowers!! LOL) ... This is one of the church towers at Scheggino ... sketched at La Romita, but painted this weekend. I have quite a few unfinished sketches that I'll be working on this week .. and this was one of them.
I wanted to attempt a building to see if I could render it a bit softer than my ususal approaches ....The 'real life' sketch is a bit darker and the shadows show up better than they do in this scan.
The weather here in NC seems to match the weather we had while in Tuscany - hot, humid, sunny. We were so fortunate to only have a few hours of gentle rain while we were there ....
I am already missing the rhythm of those days, though. The incredible meals prepared at La Romita, the touring of fascinating towns, the exercise of walking .... How is it that two incredible weeks can seem like a dream in such a short time?
Lin Frye
North Carolina
Doorway, Spello
So many of us took photos of this single doorway. I do believe many of the workshop participants later went back to La Romita, printed their images (YES! Karlyn traveled with TWO printers for us to use!!) ...and then painted this door.
I hope to get to mine sometime in the next few weeks.
I hope to get to mine sometime in the next few weeks.
Macrame Weaver Spello
Spello is known for its wonderful macrame artworks -- and we were fortunate enough to findone artist at work!
Spello
Heading back to La Romita, we took another photographic stop at Spello! Oh could we have spent HOURS here!!! Such rich and photographic scenes!
Assisi Mime
Throughout the city, mimes such as this stood so still one could pass them without even knowing they were real!!!
I placed a coin in his offering box, he bend down, kissed my hand, gave me a blessing and gave me a slip of paper with words of wisdom ..."The mind exists to be a servant...."
I placed a coin in his offering box, he bend down, kissed my hand, gave me a blessing and gave me a slip of paper with words of wisdom ..."The mind exists to be a servant...."
Our Guide Giuseppi Assisi
Being a 'nature lover' and a 'gardener,' our trip to Assisi and the home of St. Francis, Patron Saint of animals, plants and nature, held special meaning for me.
Karlyn knew that for us to truly get the most from our visit to Assisi, a guide to the town and cathedral would be needed. And what a fabulous guide!
Giuseppi (Joseph) was a Tuscan native, but his English was perfect and he had an artist's heart. A storyteller, sharer of all things interesting as well as historic, he emphasized those aspects of the Cathedral that would appeal to us - the art materials, the painters, the history of the time, the story of St. Francis, the use of the churches over time ... everything that kept us enraptured! I think he was surprised though when most of us, after his tour was over, gave him a HUG in appreciation!! LOL We could have listened to him for hours, despite the 90F heat!
Karlyn knew that for us to truly get the most from our visit to Assisi, a guide to the town and cathedral would be needed. And what a fabulous guide!
Giuseppi (Joseph) was a Tuscan native, but his English was perfect and he had an artist's heart. A storyteller, sharer of all things interesting as well as historic, he emphasized those aspects of the Cathedral that would appeal to us - the art materials, the painters, the history of the time, the story of St. Francis, the use of the churches over time ... everything that kept us enraptured! I think he was surprised though when most of us, after his tour was over, gave him a HUG in appreciation!! LOL We could have listened to him for hours, despite the 90F heat!
Monday, June 01, 2009
Scheggino Doorway
Scheggino, Italy
Sketched Plein Air
Painted in Studio
9" x 12" Arches 140# CP
I began this doorway on location while listening to Douglass' lesson on perspective. I have to be honest and really missed the perspective here. When we got back to La Romita, I altered my drawing to 'fix' my errors and painted it in our Chapel Studio.
Sketched Plein Air
Painted in Studio
9" x 12" Arches 140# CP
I began this doorway on location while listening to Douglass' lesson on perspective. I have to be honest and really missed the perspective here. When we got back to La Romita, I altered my drawing to 'fix' my errors and painted it in our Chapel Studio.
Bells at Arrone
En route back to La Romita, we stopped at Arrone for a 'photo opportunity.' Here, the church bells ring as we make our way up and down the alleys.
Douglass' Lesson on Perspective
We sat in one of the larger courtyards as Douglass Thomas gave a lesson on perspective. Yes, it is still a huge challenge for me!!!
Entry to Scheggino
Over the river for our daily cup of cappuccino and later a picnic at the town's park.
Folks were camping along the sides of this river, and we even encountered several horses and riders crossing the bridge.
Folks were camping along the sides of this river, and we even encountered several horses and riders crossing the bridge.
Scheggino Entry
Today we drove to the hill town of Scheggino to learn about perspective from Douglass. No matter how often I hear these lessons, it's still a challenge for me!!
Afterward, we stopped at Arrone for a quick photo opportunity to capture yet another amazing ancient village
Afterward, we stopped at Arrone for a quick photo opportunity to capture yet another amazing ancient village
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Overlook - Spoleto - Lesson Aerial Perspective
At this point in the trip, I'm still unable to settle myself to paint at my best ... I'm using my travel journal so my sketches are approximately 9" x 7" ... easier to 'try' to get done before heading out the next day.
During this session while we sat eating gelato and overlooking the aquaduct and landscape, Karlyn explained and demonstrated aerial perspective and so each of us worked at capturing the scene before us. I sketched this site twice - capturing all that woodland or attempting to make it interesting made this exceptionally challenging! LOL
During this session while we sat eating gelato and overlooking the aquaduct and landscape, Karlyn explained and demonstrated aerial perspective and so each of us worked at capturing the scene before us. I sketched this site twice - capturing all that woodland or attempting to make it interesting made this exceptionally challenging! LOL
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