Blessed

Nearly everyone was on their way home and I felt extremely blessed to have a couple of extra days at the convent in Orvieto . I passed this painting in the hallway about a gillion times.  Now it was quiet and I stood with it and sketched in my 2010 journal. 

I don't really know if it is a sketch or print as it is behind glass and unsigned. I really liked the monochromatic tones and so when I took my sketch to the studio, I was inspired to try my best to keep the tones as close to sepia and gold as I could.  This is one of my favorites. 

There is much more that I could share from Orvieto but I will call this my last installment. Probably. Maybe. Will see. 

Going Back to Orvieto

When I went to Orvieto in 2010, this unsigned print hung straight across from me in the studio. 

I was inspired to paint it in my journal.

Although, it seems that I didn't share that journal page here. 

I will do that now. 

Have I told you I was in conflict about going back to the same place?

 Yes, and I appeased the voices with the notion that a second trip was indeed necessary because I didn't finish my journal. 

I wondered if this painting would still be on the wall in the studio.

I also wondered why I didn't take a photo of it the first time.

Hoping it would still be there on the wall, I had to go back to do that!

My heart sunk the first time we entered the studio.

It wasn't on the wall. 

However, a quick search and I found it in the corner, on the floor, under a cabinet and with a broken glass. 

I stayed some extra days in Orvieto after the class was over and most had departed. 

Then, I pulled out my 2010 Journal and painted another version of her. 

♥

PS:  I may have to go back a third time. I still didn't finish my 2010 journal.

PSS:  I still have one more Orvieto share and then I will get up to date with blogging.......with a new computer and Elements 11 and dealing with all those new learning curves. 

Mist in the Valley in Orvieto

At breakfast, someone said, "There's mist in the valley today".

words

instant inspiration

became a part of

this painting which was an exercise using paint and no sketch.

♥

On the train to Orvieto

 First of all, you know how I love to share my WIPs. Could be because I like to see them here too:)  Anyway, while in Orvieto, I discovered how crazy easy it is to use my iphone for snapping quick shots. 

You may not need to know that I HATE HATE HATE the Termini  train station in Rome. My experience the first time I went almost kept me from going again. Yes, this time is was the "fear of the known" instead of the "fear of the unknown". 

However, as many of you have heard me say, "if I did it once I can do it again".  And that was what I had to hold onto. I won't go into the gory details except to say it was just as traumatic the second time as the first. 

When we heard the assignment to paint a story with two or more characters, I had one to tell. 

Once I finally boarded the train, I saw all these people.

♥

Smiling from the studio in Orvieto

I never stopped smiling while in Orvieto but my favorite time was while in the studio with Misty and all of the beautiful Artist. 

In my little town, I just don't get to share art space like that. 

Here, a study of values and seeing light and dark shapes.

With reference in hand Misty challenged us to start without a sketch, lay in the dark shapes with charcoal and then manipulate the charcoal to get all of the values.

I was satisfied to find Professor Doctor Tad Keys right there in the studio of Orvieto. No need to travel to Pelago.

Dot snapped this one from here side of the studio. Thank you Dot!

 Next up: Do the same thing but with paint and and no sketch.

Me still smiling on the last evening when we showed and shared.

♥

A Day in the Studio in Orvieto

This is just a sampling of my pencil exercises that Misty challenged each of us with during the first full day in the stuido. 

A big part of Orvieto is eating. (And I do it well)

Each day we shared a family-style picnic lunch in the courtyard of the Convent. Oh what a wonderful time to relax and enjoy!

 Jenny and Renèe

Mattie, Jeanne-Marie, Dot and Jenny

♥

Inspiration in Orvieto

Our first full day in Oriveto included walking and walking and walking.

Bill and Kristi gave us the full town tour which left me with aching muscles and joints.

We were on a artful mission.

 To observe, sketch, collect visual imagery with camera and rubbings,  and to take inspiration back to the studio.

 For our first studio warm-up we carved a stamp using the found inspiration.  Our packet from Misty included this tiny journal and I used my stamp for the cover. I came home with the assignment to fill the pages of this tiny journal. 

I will.

Our packet also included a page from an art book that we were then  suppose to use as inspiration for a quick sketch. This was on one side of the page. Dear Misty, I had a fleeting thought about using it.  Fleeting! However, The Rucellai Madonna was on the other side and I chose it for the above. I carried a set of chalk pastels and used them for the first time. There was no time to finish as we were off for a wine and olive oil tasting at The Palace of Taste and then a group dinner at LaPalomba.

Dot, Misty, John and Kristi.

More later,

Magic Brushes

Hey Look!  I've got some new Magic Brushes.  I've had them for a while but as you can see.....they are still not initiated.

I learned about "Magic Brushes"  in Italy.  I'm sorry but you just had to be there to understand their magic.

However, in case you don't know the "Magician" has a new online class that starts in January.  Sign-up started today.

Misty Mawn, is "artist-extraordinaire".  Having had the pleasure of up close and personal with Misty for a week in early October, I can tell you she is an artist inside and out.  Her classes are so full, I know this one will not disappoint.  For a glimpse of Misty the Artist, don't miss this.

I will be playing ART with my Magic Brushes soon.  More on that another day.

♥ Sharon

This is pure silly stuff

Of Towers and Turrets is still going strong with many wonderful artist whose imaginations and creativity will astound you.

You just would not believe what they are doing.

Deryn and I had the most absolutely wonderful and fun time putting our class together....

...you might say it was an "exquisite fusion"

A bit of silly fun was had as well.

And I share with you here some of that silliness. 

Pure silliness.  

***************

Well, the time has come for my Italy trip where I will go and soak up inspiration and instruction from Misty Mawn.  I haven't been able to focus on much else this week.  This truely is a trip of a lifetime.  All the packing was finished last weekend and now I'm down to the last minute things like

♦ print boarding passes

♦activate global phone

♦tote bag snacks

♦print extra copy of instructions from Rome to Orvieto

♦wax lip

♦shave legs

♦check list

♦get walking cane (last minute thing added to list-foot is still not OK)

♦get to airport in time for 12:47 pm departure Saturday.

YIKES!!!!!

***************

All of that to say that I will be unavailable until Monday October 11th.

However, I am at this dang-desk-in-town today (Friday) and can let you in any of the classrooms today until late tonight.

One more thing, I love you all.

♥Sharon

Misty Class

I'm playing ART with the ever so generous Misty Mawn in her online "Painting Layers" class. The first week was learning how much fun it is to paint a whole stack of backgrounds and have them all waiting for the next step. Week two was collage which I hope to do more of.

Well my four days are almost over and I can report a great balance of outside and inside fun.

Now, I think I will go and try a nap for fun.

Expect sleep,

Sharon