I have been so busy lately--I've hardly had time to post on my blog! The good news is, I have a wealth of new images to show for my hard work. Here is the progression of my painting final so far (over the course of five sessions). The last image is the most recent. 

Check out the first draft of my artist statement here:

            On January 31^st, as I frantically sorted through my suitcase at the airport and abandoned "extra" pieces of clothing in the trunk of my parents' car, I realized just how difficult it is to fit most of your life in a less-than-fifty-pounds suitcase—or at least the important parts. "Only bring the essentials," I'd been told time and time again, as I planned and packed for a semester in Italy. Several weeks later, once Id settled into my new home in Cortona, I was able to reevaluate what had made the cut.

            One afternoon sitting in my Tuscan room I noticed a tangle of belongings on my bedside table: A scattering of paintbrushes and other artist tools, a green knit hat, a tube of lotion, a necklace, a bag of pasta, a purple box and the jewelry it contained, among other vibrant clutter. Judging by these seemingly random items, one might not assume that I'd heeded anyone's "practical" advice. However, I do use these treasures almost every day. Most of the items I brought with me here (as well as the things I've collected on this trip) hold very personal significance, which is why I decided to paint this “still life-self portrait." These are my “essentials.”

            From the brushes and palette knife I inherited from my grandmother, to Italian corks reminiscent of recent nights with friends, this image represents me as well as many of the people who I care about. Every single object in this recreated bedside table display holds sentimental value; most of the things you see have been given to me or acquired with the people that I love. The cheerful colors, warm lighting, and an overarching feeling of organized chaos echo how I live my life—often flying by the seat of my pants, but with constant support from friends and family. An ordinary still life becomes a personal glimpse into my life and the people who have given so much to me over the years. And I don't only mean the items in this display... 

It is a GORGEOUS day here, back in Cortona.  This is the best weather we've had yet!  I just couldn't stay inside to paint my still life during painting class, so I took a quick picture and moved my supplies and aisle out front to the yard... An inspiring atmosphere indeed :)

Left: Sketch of Michelangelo's famous statue David, found at the Academia, and a skeleton from Museo la Specola (pencil)

Right: A view of Firenze and keepsakes (pencil)

Field trip! Four beautiful days in Firenze (Florence)

Left: Keeping track of symbols and pattern for my next metals assignment--a charm bracelet or other "memory" inspired piece of jewelry inspired by my visit to Florence--and a sketch of the "Flying Mercury" statue, found at the Bargello Museum

Right: Studies of Botticelli's Birth of Venus and the Primavera, both found at the Uffizi gallery

Left: Sketches from Sienese art and architecture (pen)

Right: Stream of consciousness; read from the bottom up (pen)

"Ciao! Mi chiamo Kelsey.

Io sono di New York.
Sono 20 anni.
Mi piace futbol.
...Ciao!"

I picked up these phrases earlier today, just before introducing myself to a group of fourth graders.  I will be volunteering at the Comune di Cortona Scuola Elementare--an elementary school in town--with some other Art Education students this semester, and I could not be more delighted. 
I did't have room in my schedule to take the actual Art Education class offered here on the Cortona program, but the professor is allowing me to tag along with her students for the trips to the school.  Four times throughout the semester, I will be assisting one of the Art Ed students teach their lesson plan to Italian children.  I feel comfortable teaching and working with kids in English.  A class of twelve Italian boys and two girls, on the other hand, is going to be a challenge.  I am hoping to gain some unique communication skills from this experience that will allow me to instruct in a more visual, physical way, working around the language barrier to develop other ways of understanding.  So far, even with the little Italian that I do know, things have gone pretty well.  One mention of the word "futbol," and I had the whole class cheering...

 I will be posting pictures of the art we'll be making together soon.
Photos: (Top) Comune di Cortona Scuola Elementare; (Bottom) Margaret, a volunteer, Jackie, an Art Education major--and teacher--and I, right after orientation!

  Continued work on the Teatro Signorelli tray (unfinished).
I painted "white slip" (a soupy white clay mixture) onto the surface and worked back in with a carving tool.  When the clay is fired, areas with the white slip will be very pale in contrast to the darker terracotta.  This makes it it easier for lighter glazes--like the turquoise I am planning on using--to show up.

Duomo Cathedral bowl (unfinished).
I added the clay stars and applied more white slip...

My mornings just got better...
Our mugs are out of the kiln and into our hands, and I finally have five homemade **American-sized** coffee cups to drink out of before class.  They aren't perfect, but for a first attempt at ceramics mine aren't bad. Thanks to my professors Alexis and Tanner for the refreshment "testers" and pastries at our cup critique today!  Check out their website here:
http://antsculpture.com/AnT_Sculpture/Contact_AnT.html
Those two are awesome...

 Today I was The Girl Who Played with Fire.

I finished soldering my belt buckle in the metals studio, with the help of my professor Lola Brooks (check out her Facebook page here--https://www.facebook.com/51001732273/photos/a.10150680194372274.397270.51001732273/10151356012037274/?type=1&theater--she's the one modeling, too).  My piece definitely needs some sanding after the heat discoloration, but overall I am pleased...

Meanwhile my five clay mugs baked away in the ceramics kiln next door.  I'm anxious to see how the glazes I chose will react after the bisque firing.  You never know what the colors will really look like until they come out of the oven.  We'll see tomorrow morning!

Happy Birthday, Levi!

Happy 22nd Birthday to my boyfriend Levi!

For the past two years I've made Levi a painting for his birthday present.

Here's this year's: A blast-from-the-past poster, advertising the notorious St. Lawrence University "Snow Bowl" Winter Carnival (est. 1934).  This celebration of skiing, sledding, and other "festivities" was once an annual event at local "Snow Bowl" mountain.  Unfortunately the university sold the property in 2004, and the party no longer takes place.  Saints like us only dream of it nowadays--until there's fresh powder and a free afternoon.  Then Levi, my friends, and other brave SLU students ski the un-groomed backcountry slopes.
Happy birthday, Leev :) I hope you like it!

Duomo Cathedral bowl (unfinished)

 Continued work on the Teatro Signorelli tray (unfinished)

 I have settled on a design for my belt buckle: This abstract "jewel."  I have cut out almost all of the pieces, and will begin soldering soon (brass, bronze, copper) 

 My first attempt at sawing and soldering metals in jewelry-making (copper and brass)

The start of my second ceramics project: 3 functional pieces inspired by Italian architecture.  I referred to designs and molding on the Teatro Signorelli ceiling (the theatre in town where I recently saw an Italian play with my classmates, see above) to build this serving platter.  I plan on throwing a "chandelier" shaped bowl on the wheel, to fit onto the middle of the tray.  My third piece will also be inspired by a ceiling--the dome of the Duomo Cathedral in Siena (pictures to come).  

 Mugs that I made for our first ceramics project: 5 hand-built cups (unfinished).  They have gone through the first firing process, and will be glazed and fired again to completion.

Continued "transparency" studies (oil paint on canvas)

Now that we have fully settled into life here in Cortona and classes are in full swing, I am busy in the studios making jewelry, ceramics, and paintings.  As an artist who is particularly passionate about painting, though, I am especially excited to get my brush in some oils.  Read the following course description of my advanced painting course, and you'll see why...

"This semester you will make one major painting, from the initial conception of the idea, through the stages of research, planning, reference-gathering, preparatory studies, and revisions, to the

final stage of successfully completing the actual painting. Through this process you will

investigate your own interests in subject matter and explore your own individual painting style

and technique. You will learn to budget your resources and time and avoid the traps of procrastination and over-preparation.

Throughout the semester we will look to the artistic precedents surrounding us in Italy to learn

how the greatest artists of the past made their ambitious frescoes, large narrative works, and

complex altarpieces. You will see examples of their preparatory drawings, composition

sketches, and value and color studies. By looking at the actual paintings in person, you will be

able to obtain information about their technique that cannot be gained from photographic

reproductions.

Upon successful completion of this course you will have the skills and confidence needed to take on complex projects, both artistic and otherwise."

It was difficult for me to decide on what I would like to paint for an entire three months.  The subject-matter and technique would have to be complex--something I could really sink my teeth into--so I looked back to one of my favorite painters, Janet Fish, for inspiration.  In my freshman year of college I studied Janet Fish in Studio Art, and produced two acrylic paintings in her style.  The second painting below was a direct study of her oil painting, "Balloons." The last one, "Perfume," was my own creation.

"Balloons" by Janet Fish (oil paint on canvas)

"Janet Fish Study" (acrylic paint on paper)

"Perfume" (acrylic paint on paper)

 I was particularly intrigued by Janet Fish's ability to capture luminous plastic or glass surfaces; her paintings are both obsessively realistic, and also playful and bright.  For my advanced painting project, I would like to explore transparency, and how the shapes and colors of objects change inside or behind transparent materials.  I will be gathering objects that reflect my experience here in Italy, to put together a vibrant still life (see examples of Janet Fish's work here: http://www.dcmooregallery.com/artists/janet-fish#5n).  This is going to be a huge project--literally, I plan on doing my work on a large scale--so I am tackling it in small pieces.  To begin, I'm doing studies of simple still life objects (like fruit) interacting with other clear textures.  Here is my first one (unfinished): 

Three oranges inside of a plastic bag (oil paint on canvas)

I will continue to post my progress as the semester goes on!  I hope you'll enjoy watching me map my process.

Missing this guy!  

Here is a portrait of my boyfriend Levi and I, painted from a snapshot I found on my phone (acrylic paint)

Field trip!

Sketching in Pisa, while listening to our professor share some history behind the sights and architecture (near the leaning tower)...

Left: Continued notes from wine tasting

Right: On-sight drawings from Pisa (pen)

Left: Inspiration from art history class (unfinished); I plan on doing a still life drawing here, to accompany the quote.

Right: Wine tasting notes and quotes from sommelier Marco Molesini.  Marco came into to educate us (students and faculty of the Cortona program) on the flavors and culture of wine drinking in Italy.  One of his many words of wisdom: "In Italy, we drink every day--lunch and dinner--it's like exercise." 

Ceramic tiles, inspired by some of the patterning and textures I drew (clay)

Left: Quotes to remember from art history class.  Can't wait to see some of Michelangelo's sculpture in real life! (pen)

Right: Studies of pattern for my first ceramics assignment, ceramic tiles (pen)

All done--Now it's time to make one of these sketches into a metal belt buckle!