On one of the days that we had class with Marc and Barbara, we did something quite different than the norm. Instead of walking around to go see beautiful art in a museum, or go visit beautiful churches, we went to school for a lesson on Fresco.  This was a pretty exciting class :) ! A dear friend of Marc's, named Maurizio (I apologize for miss-spelling), taught us all about the Affresco (Fresco) Process.  It was very interesting to see how Renaissance painting was done compared to how artists paint today. Being an artist, myself, I can honestly say there's quite a difference in the steps, as well as some differences with the materials in painting Fresco. 

Some were a bit hesitant at first, but all of us ended up taking turns giving each step in Fresco a shot. We were first showed how to mix the ingredients that form Fresco. From there, we all took turns mixing the ingredients. The materials that needed to be mixed consisted of Calce (Slaked (aged) Lime), and Sabbia (Sand), which is fresh Lake or River sand, that in order to maintain the color, it must contain no salt (Sale). 






For the surface preparation, Rinzaffo, a very thin liquid layer is used on a bare stone or brick wall to prepare for the Arricio. Arricio also referred to as a floating coat, is the first layer. Intonaco Plaster is the final layer to paint on. It is added to the specific parts of the work that will be painted on. 

Maurizio showed us all how to carefully check that the surface was good for us to start creating art on.

We were then shown that we don't draw our idea directly onto the surface. Instead, we have an outline of our image that we're planning to create on a thin, separate sheet. 

                                                                                 The outline of our image looked like before painting

From there, we proceed lightly to get the outline of the image on the Fresco. Once, the outline is on the Fresco, you can start to paint your design. We all took turns painting different sections of the piece. 

                                            Barbara painting!








The painting process. Sorry I cut you off Molly :/ !

This was a wonderful experience! I really enjoyed getting to see the differences between painting then and painting now. It's a very different texture, compared to just having my own paper lying around, or buying my own paper and being able to create my design immediately. The paint texture is quite different as well. It's a powdery-base, compared to the tubes of liquid paint that I am used to. I also found it interesting that you have approximately 7 hours before the Fresco completely dries. Meaning, you should have a pretty solid idea on what your idea is for your piece, before beginning. 
 Unfortunately, James and I weren't able to see the completion of this process, because we had to do our usual game of finding where our class was from our current location, grabbing lunch, and making it to class on time. However, we did see images of the finished piece and the lady, whom Hannah named, came out lovely :)!!! 

 

and so it ends

What is there really to say?  The trip is over.  There is so much yet to do in Florence.  I will be returning.  On my terms, however.  As much as I value my classmates and the experience and am very glad I went on this trip, I probably wouldn't do it again the same way.  I'm very much a loner in my normal life.  I need to be able to explore the city without considering other people.  And I especially don't want the stress of class and a weekly quiz distracting me from all the beauty to behold.  And hopefully, I will be staying in an air conditioned hotel next time because that last week was very unpleasant for me weather-wise.  I can't stand the heat!

But I will be returning.  I ain't done yet!



And for your viewing pleasure, this a painting I rather liked in a church I just wandered into on my second to last day.


Fare thee well!

~ Hannah

Final Farewell

     I am happy to be home but also I am sad that I am back home where the people sleep and eat McDonalds. When I was sitting on the plane and glanced out my window, I could see Boston just beyond the horizon. I said to myself "I am home...YAY!" After I got off the plane and saw my mom waiting for me it made my day. When I got home and unpacked and relaxed on the couch all I could think about was Italy and how fast time flew by. I was in shock that I was sitting in my house and on the couch. It seems like just yesterday that I was in the apartment doing some homework for my photography class. Crazy! I sometimes flash back to when we would all go out in the morning on a new adventure with Marc and Barbara.

     The next day when I woke up my caffe hand was empty. I couldn't help but wonder why there wasn't a caffe latte with three sugars in my hand. Then I remembered that I was in America. The agony! I might be over doing it but this really happened. I definitely believe that this trip formed a bond between the six of us including the professor/professoressa. I mean how cool is it that you get to hang out with your teachers after class and get gelato? Thats pretty awesome! 

     On a more personal note Italy has changed me as a person and as an artist. Seeing the works of Michelangelo,Caravaggio, Donatello and Brunelleschi just brought tears of joy to my eyes because I never would have thought that I would see them this soon in my life. I could stare at their work all day. Since I am not a very religious person I felt like the churches had a huge impact on me as well because of the way it stands tall and reaches as high as it can to the sky. It just goes to show how there is no limit. I also enjoyed how over the top some of these places were and how you could almost feel the presences of past saints, popes etc. I am sure I will wonder over to europe again in the future. But until then ciao bella Italia! 

I truly enjoyed my stay in Italy and I can say that through the good and the bad I would not have changed the way things had gone. The first week was rough between getting sick, loosing power and key getting broken in apartment door but through those experience you begin to get to know the people you are with on a whole new level. Through my stay I saw amazing things but the highlight of my trip was creating relationships with the people I encountered on a regular basis, my Cafe friends, the people at the market, and of course Lorenzo owner of a gelato shop right outside our apartment. The way of life in Italy is something I will also miss. As americans we tend to rush, in Italy I learned to take my time and enjoy the simplicity of life and food. This trip has truly changed me for the better and Im just counting down the days til I can go back.
sincerly, Hailey Vincent

Science Museum

Mark and I had a chance to go the Science Museum in Florence and see so many interesting things. From how they gave birth to the amazing instruments they made and used. It was absolutely amazing to see all the cool gadgets they had so many years ago. But the most important and interesting thing about this museum (and i think i speak for Marc) was Galileo's middle finger. Enough said. Ciao!

Our last day's Outing!

 

On Thursday, 6/21 we had out last Group venture. We began at 

la fontana di Porcellina, near the Ponte Vecchio.  You can see the "Boar's"

head between Molly and Hannah. The myth is that if you place a coin on 

his snout and it falls into the drain below you will return to Firenze with your Lover;

sort of a Florentine version of the fontana di Trevi in Rome!  That's why his snout is so highly polished from years of folks trying!  Of course the most impressive thing in the

market that morning was our group!

Some Italiano mumble jumble

I suppose the question is where to start..In terms of writing about my adventures in Italia. I have partially been in a delay with getting on the blog train due to having mixed thoughts. That in no way means that I am unhappy being here, because believe me, if there's one person out of this group who would take staying in Europe and backpacking throughout the entire Summer, I'm the one who would most definitely go through with it in a heartbeat. There are many things that I have greatly enjoyed about this trip but there have been some downfalls as well. In addition, I find my days so chaotic that one of the last things I feel up to doing is spending sufficient time on my computer to proceed with blog entries and so forth...which is the complete opposite back home. In a way, I feel that that is a great thing. I'm constantly on the go even more here and electronic devices, other than listening to music, have been of no significant interest to me. I have been so focused on wanting to be out and about. I'm the type of person that loves to try and make the absolute most of an opportunity when it comes along. 
















 I find myself being extremely happy and energetic to be here. Both Italia and Firenze itself, are absolutely beautiful locations to visit and explore!! I find that the art, food and   shopping are three key things here. I can't count the amount of times I have been speechless at the art work that I have been able to see and/or photograph. I find it highly amusing that I managed to get yelled at in a museum for taking photos...just as I had thought before I came here. "NOOOOO FOTOS!" ...I just laughed and walked away. I can't help it. I truly have a huge passion for photography and up until the near end of this trip, I've constantly been inspired to take shots of anything and everything. My Photography course has been pretty great. I'm bummed that I recently missed the field trip to the Mental Institution, due to sun poisoning. However, my professor is wonderful and I have greatly been inspired to pursue further in photography and I have learned a lot in a short amount of time. My final presentation was exciting but nerve/wrecking. It went good and my professor was very pleased with my work, which is very exciting!!
I've come across some wonderful people from Italy or other surrounding European locations. But let's not forget night life. I've endured some very joyful surroundings, but have dealt with some disrespect from nasty Italiano or other random men. You have to watch out for yourself here at night, that's for sure! Sometimes the girls and I have experienced some humorous situations where you just have to stop and laugh though. For instance, the first night when we were walking around by the fake David. These guys were literally trying to get our attention based on our dinner of choice for the evening. The pick up line in Italy is apparently... Can I have some of your pizzaaa
HAHA... Other times we've walked around town, there will be guys on bicycles that do humorous hand signals. I remember this guy puckering his face and winking and I couldn't help but bust out laughing and Hannah's commentary was something to the effect of I feel quite disgusted right now...Haha. 
 Now, that I've begun blogging I feel that I could write and write and write! There's so much that can be told about Italia, and once I start typing I cant stop. CIAO for now!