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! 

I'm so lucky to have inherited my grandma's gift for art... Thinking of you and feeling extra special every time I paint with your brushes, Mimi!  

My first jewelry making assignment (unfinished): Belt buckle sketches (pen)

Left: Memories from Orvieto, and a doodle of the Cortonese daisy, a symbol of Cortona (guache, pen)
Right: A sketch of a fountain head outside the Pantheon, drawn from a photograph I snapped in Rome (white and black pencil, pen)

Left: A sketch of the obelisk that stands just in front of the Pantheon, at Piazza della Rotonda (pencil), and my delicious cappuchino (guache) 

Right: (Top) The central Trevi Fountain figure, Neptune, god of the sea (pen); (Bottom) Mary and Jesus, drawn from a photo of a sculpture I saw in the Orvieto Cathedral pamphlet (white pencil, pen)  

Left: Tickets, museum passes, and other keepsakes

Right: Sketch of a marble sculpture, drawn from life at the Villa Borghese Museum (pencil) 

My Blue Sketchbook

I made this blue sketchbook last semester at St. Lawrence in Melissa Schulenberg's book arts class (including the colored paper), and I am drawing or painting in it every day while I am here in Italy. I rarely have time to sketch anymore back at school, and I already feel myself becoming more relaxed, thoughtful, and creative. I will be posting pictures of the two-page spreads inside my blue sketchbook each time I finish one, so you can see where my head is at!

About Portfolio and Plates

I have finally arrived at my home away from home! A repurposed thirteenth century convent, where myself and twenty-four other students will be living and working for the semester. Perched almost at the top of hilly Cortona, the dormitory, studio facilities, and SCENERY here are more beautiful than I could have ever imagined. The only thing lacking might be an escalator, to avoid a steep and exhausting journey from town, but views of golden-green fields in the rolling Tuscan countryside are equally as breathtaking as the trek itself, and make up for tired feet. I definitely don't mind walking off the pounds of bread and pasta I consume at mealtime, either. It's hard to say "no grazie" to seconds at Tonino's, the five-star restaurant where dinner is provided for us during the week...

The balcony in my second floor bedroom opens up to a dream. Even the bathroom, which I share with four other girls, has a better view than any five star hotel suite. The Medieval village, cobblestone streets, and other surrounding beauties of Tuscany in spring are framed by every window like perfect paintings, begging me to capture them in oils. Inspiration is everywhere in Italy.

Downstairs in the afternoons when I am not drawing in my sketchbook, you might find me boiling some homemade gnocchi from the local pasta shop, or making a pecorino and prosciutto sandwich on freshly baked bread. There are two kitchens in the dorm, one for students and one for staff, where the "Angels," as they are called, Alba and Antonella prepare us breakfast each morning. The Angels also clean our rooms and make our beds every day. I know. I am constantly asking myself, is this real life??

Attached to our living quarters are the painting, ceramics, jewelry-making/metal-working, and art history classrooms. Simple convent spaces have been transformed just enough to become airy, sunny studios that still hold their original charm. My painting class is in the chapel. The grand ceilings and beams of warm light, which flood into the room from a large, circular window, make this magical place impressive and inspiring. I can hardly wait to put the scattered, empty aisles to use...

And so begins my Italian adventure and very first personal blog. I will be posting images every other day that will allow my family and friends to flip through my sketchbook, take a peek at my progress on studio assignments, and last but not least, drool over the food I am eating :) Just click on the tabs at the top of the page to view my "Portfolio" or "Plates!" Most recent posts will also be top.  

Some of the greatest Renaissance painters, as well as famous chefs found their creativity in Cortona. I am certainly finding mine. I miss you all and hope that you enjoy this glimpse into my passions for art and food. Ciao! 

-Kelsey