Day 10 - " GRATITUDE"

Our last day...

We gave the students free time to finish their pages in their book they will create of their experience. Rosie encouraged the students to walk the property and say good by to the things they loved I “gratitude” – which was our word for this day. I walked in the olive grove and lay my head on the olive tree that meant the most to me and ran my hand along the bark. It felt silly at first, but became a very meaningful and powerful remembrance I will carry with me forever.

A few of us went into Fiesole for a few hours again. Ardis and I visited the Etruscan Ruins of a Roman Bathhouse and Theater. It was pretty awesome to imagine this ancient city. We also visited the museum there and as we rounded one of the corners an opera singer was singing upstairs – the music was a perfect way to end our visit to the museum.

We finished with a welcome dinner – 5 courses - at the villa’s restaurant. Again, the food was delicious. How bittersweet this evening was.

Right before I lay down for the evening, there was a firework display by the castle way up the mountain. I was the only one who saw it from our group and it was like Italy was saying good by to me as well – perfecto!

My thought for the day is remembrance and gratitude…

The following pictures were taken on my last walk around the property....

This is the original chapel that was part of the convent - the apartments where we stayed.

The backside of the office - how spectacular is this color?!

The road to Fiesole....

The walk into the courtyard of our apartments and the old convent...

The Ruins...

Fiesole...

One last tribute and good by to an old friend....

Day 9 - "TRANSFORMATION"

Today the word for the day was “transformation”. I challenged the students to pick one thing that spoke to them on the property this week and spend 1 hour in silence with that subject. I asked them to create a sketch “dictionary” of the object – quick sketches that described what they saw. They could also journal what they were seeing and feeling about the subject. We then met back on the patio and I did a quick demo, eyes closed, music on, and painted what I felt about the object - an olive tree. It was many of the students favorite painting experience while there. It was agreed by all that we truly captured the essence of our experience here in Tuscany on this day
Later on we went to Fiesole, a small town up the road for lunch and a break. It is a beautiful quaint little town.

My thought for the day was I have been transformed by this trip to Italy…

Early morning - the view from my window at the castle up on the hill...

View from our patio...

The olive tree I spent time with this morning...

This is where the Contessa lives...

Fiesole - going down the hill...

Evening view from the patio - how beautiful....

Day 8 - "LISTEN"

Today we painted in the olive grove. The word for the day was “listen” and the trees played a magical music all for us. As I was sitting there in the quiet, painting, I heard clip, clip, clip. There was a woman trimming some lilac bushes very diligently and determined. I took a picture of her. I later found out that this was the Contessa, the owner of the Villa! Imagine my surprise. I wish now I had gone up to talk to her.

The view from the olive grove was spectacular. I couldn’t help thinking as I was walking there the spiritual significance of the grove. Olives sustain the economy of the area and Jesus spent some of his last hours in an olive grove.

My thought for the day is magic….

The walk down to the grove...

Connie painting...

The tree I painted for the demonstration this day....

The Contessa trimming the lilac....

Libby deep into her painting!

Day 7- "REVERENCE"

Today we spent the day on a walking tour of Florence.

I will always remember this day as the Day I saw David. I literally had my breath taken away as I rounded the corner and saw him for the first time. I wept quietly, in reverence, at his feet.

I snuck these pictures - I hope Michalangelo understands...

We spent 12 hours walking, touring, and shopping. A lovely 75 yr. old woman by the name of Francesca, was our guide and she was a delight. We were all "spent" after this lovely day.

My thought for the day is reverence...

The fresco inside the Duomo - it is the largest fresco in the world...amazing to behold!

view of the Duomo from the plaza of Michalangelo...

Gelato! Yummy!

Street artists in Florence - how cool is this?!

Copy of the Gates Of Paradise on the Baptistry of the Duomo...

Day 6 - "STILLNESS"

Today I received special permission from the owner - the Contessa - to paint with the class on the grounds of the villa. The Villa grounds are only open to private functions and it was a priveledge to paint there. The views as you will see, are magnificent and breathtaking. I promised her a painting in return for this favor.

My thought for this day is overwhelming peace...

Above is the restaurant on the grounds of the villa...

I painted this for my demonstration....

Ardis painting...

Rosie painting...

Amy painting....

Libby painting...

The Villa di Maiano built in the 15th Century...

I took this for Charlynn...;)

Day 5 - "AWARENESS"

Today starts the first day of instruction. We have a word for each day that we will focus on and reflect upon for the entire day's creativity and painting excerises.

I woke up this morning to a hot air balloon outside my window - how cool is that?!
We began painting! Yeah! I taught the students plein aire style painting. We had a wonderful time. The first few shots are the scene that I painted from. The tiles on the roof especially caught my eye.
Today starts the first day of instruction. We have a word for each day that we will focus on and reflect upon for the entire day's creativity and painting excerises. Today's word was "awareness"...

Rosie taught in the afternoon and led us through exercises that led us to create a haiku poem. She introduced the concept of "vece mecum" - an ancient book of prayers and feelings of our experiences while in Tuscany.

Then we walked the road to Fiesole to get groceries. I was back in time to enjoy the sunset from the terrace of our villa apartment.
We ended the evening with a wonderful meal made in our kitchen. It was a warm evening with lots of great conversation.

My thought for this day is beginnings....

Day 4

We went to mass in the Cathedral where Michelangelo & Galileo is buried - Santa Croce. Rosie, Jennifer, Amy, & I lit candles in memory of each of the participants and I said a prayer that all would receive exactly what they needed from Rosie and I at this workshop. We walked the city and explored the markets then headed to the villa.

Finally! We have arrived at the villa di Maiano! It is glorious! A painting waiting to happen in every direction you look. It is amazing and breathtaking all together. My soul was truly stirred by the view from my window. I cannot imagine waking to this tomorrow.

We are staying in an old convent and I can't help wondering if that is significant in some way. You can still feel the presence of the nuns here.
Before I go any further, I must pay homage to Linda Ayers Ianelli, without whom this may not have been possible. She is the one who recommended this place to me. Simply stated - "you were right Linda!".

We took a tour of the villa. The pictures are of the grounds of the estate. My only wish is that the sun was shining. The first is the view from my room - again - glorious! I will definitely paint this view.

We finished with a 5 course truly Italian meal that was so sumptuous that words cannot describe! We had excellent wine that was from a neighboring villa.

My thought for this day is awestruck.....

Day 3

At the spur of the moment we decided to travel to Siena, a charming town just 2 hours south of Florence. We went to the Duomo of Siena - a cathedral.

My thought for this day is grandeur....

Day 2

We explored the outdoor markets of SanLorenza. There were millions of vendors and alot of leather. We saw the Duomo-again. I feel very small when I stand next to the largeness of the magnificent buildings.

Next, we went to Uffizi - a museum that housed the largest collection of Renaissance Art. Outside the structure was great pieces of sculpture.

We finished by having dinner at Lantini's - the food was amazing!

My thought for this day is friendship....

Day 1

We only had time to walk to hte Duomo, which is very close to our B & B. We sought a Pizzeria and finished with a gelato. Then I crashed inot bed.

My thought for this day is rest!!

The Beginning - Pre-Italy

Have you ever had a dream? Come journey with me on not only a trip to Florence, Italy, but also within myself. It will be as much about teaching as it will be about learning. It will also be spiritual - an awakening of sorts.

How did this start? About 2 years ago, I declared out loud, "I want to go to Italy and teach a workshop". Sometimes we need only to speak our dreams out loud to make them a reality. Sometimes it is the first step in a long process. After I declared this out loud, a little voice behind me said, "I want to go too". That voice belonged to my dear friend Rosie, an artist I admire immensely. Thus began the odyssey....

Rosie and I are now, 2 years later getting ready to take a group of 10 to Italy to teach a workshop in painting, poetry, mixed media, and book-making.

I will be leaving in a few days to experience what it means to live out your dreams and to paint the landscapes of Tuscany. Would you like to go with me?