Art Journals from Val d'Orcia and Beyond.

Gift Certificates and More.

2012-01-24T09:51:00.000-05:00

Did you know that gift certificates are available for any trip?

Right now the euro exchange is pretty favorable to Americans travelling in Europe. So, book a trip now!

Here's something you might encounter on one of our trips:

We found these guys in La Morra last May!

Cedric Picard's Provence

2012-01-24T09:44:00.000-05:00

Here are some photos of Provence, taken by Cedric. You can see the real thing on his French Paradox trips, either in April or October 2012.

Joan's Travel Tip No. 16

2012-01-24T09:33:00.000-05:00

1. 16. Keep the name and phone number of an at-home contact person on your person at all times.

Joan's Travel Tip No. 15

2012-01-20T08:55:00.000-05:00

Joan's Travel Tip No. 15:

This is a common-sense tip I'll pass on from something I read yesterday: DON'T PUT CASH OR ANYTHING NEAR AND DEAR TO YOUR HEART IN YOUR CHECKED LUGGAGE. I guess there's a lot of pilfering going on at the airports. You can use a TSA-approved lock or have your bags shrink-wrapped (more common in European airports). Carry anything you really value in your carry-on. Also, it follows that taking expensive jewelry etc might not be worth the risk (consider hotels, pick-pockets, etc.).

Joan's Travel Tips No. 13 and 14.

2012-01-11T17:23:00.000-05:00

M 13. Make a list of all medications (and dosages) you take, your doctors’ name and contact info. List any chronic conditions you might have. Keep this list with you at all times.

14. Take your medications in the containers they come in – with the Rx info. This can be a pain, but you’ll get through customs faster, with fewer questions asked. Also NEVER pack meds in your luggage; always have them in your purse or carry-on.

Joan's Travel Tip No. 11 and 12.

2012-01-02T09:59:00.000-05:00

1. 11. Most banks also charge a fee for ATM withdrawals. These fees can really add up.

12. Make copies of your credit cards, from and back, ATM card, passport, driver’s license and take 1 set with you in carry-on and leave one set with a trusted person at home.

Joan's Travel Tip No. 10

2011-12-21T16:50:00.000-05:00

1. Check with your credit card company about fees on purchases abroad. Some of them tack on a surprising 3%. I am not paid to say this, but Capital 1 has no fees … yet.

Joan's Travel Tips No. 8 and 9

2011-12-13T09:28:00.000-05:00

1. Tip No. 8:

1. Also take a credit card; notify the card company that you’ll be going to x,y,z countries during a certain period, so they don’t shut you off. It might be wise to have 2 credit cards, in case one gets compromised, which happens and is a pain, but the possibility exists. Carry the 2 cards and your ATM card in different places.

Tip No. 9:

If If you carry a purse, use one that is difficult for street urchins to access. Lots of closed zippers, lots of pockets, lots of secret places are good. Remember: DIVIDE UP YOUR MONEY AND CREDIT CARDS, so you don’t lose everything in case of pickpocketing or misplacement of goods.

Travel Tip No. 8

2011-12-07T18:06:00.000-05:00

1. Joan's Travel Tip No. 8:

3. Also take a credit card; notify the card company that you’ll be going to x,y,z countries during a certain period, so they don’t shut you off. It might be wise to have 2 credit cards, in case one gets compromised, which happens and is a pain, but the possibility exists. Carry the 2 cards and your ATM card in different places. Keep a copy of your card at home, with expiration date, CRV number and customer service phone #. Your person at home should be able to access this info for you, just in case ....

Joan's Travel Tips No. 5,6 and 7!

2011-12-03T15:40:00.020-05:00

Some of my family just before departing after a great Thanksgiving.

I've been negligent these past few weeks. Thanksgiving put a hold onto everything, even though I had a great one. We had a houseful, which involved a lot of planning and work, although per my son's orders, I delegated a lot of meal prep and clean-up and therefore actually got a change to do some of our traditional puzzling. Anyway here are the travel tips:

5. When you use an ATM, have someone with you to monitor outside activity. Watch out for suspicious looking people before you begin. If you don’t feel comfortable, go elsewhere. Don’t leave the ATM until your money and card are safely tucked away. Make sure to get your card!!!!!!!!!!!

6. DON’T FLASH CASH.

7. Don’t buy many euros in US before going – unless you get a deal, fees are too expensive.Take 100 euros with you, max.

Photos in the Future for Foodie's Italy.

2011-11-13T15:37:00.008-05:00

Images of Rome, Wendy, great food, and Umbria.

Joan's Travel Tip No. 4

2011-11-10T08:28:00.004-05:00

4. Use your ATM card to get cash in Europe, not Travellers checks. ATMS are ubiquitous in Italy. However, notify your bank that you’ll be using your ATM in x,y,z countries during a certain period so they don’t shut you off.

Joan's Travel Tip No. 3

2011-11-03T08:59:00.007-04:00

1. Before you leave, if you have an ailing family member; if you yourself are over 50; if you have a medical condition, buy Travelers Insurance. In any case, it’s advised.

Travel Tips

2011-10-25T10:56:00.003-04:00

JOAN’S WEEKLY TRAVEL TIPS

My son Gordo, who’s had some eye-opening experiences during some of his trips abroad, had a great idea: to post informational tips I’ve learned over the years during my travels. Some I’ve learned through bad experiences; some are from good experiences; some are just commonsensical. I can’t claim that these will be unique tips – most travelers will come up with the same advice. Anyway, here goes:

Joan’s Travel Tip No. 1:

Pack light; travel light. This will save on those pesky airline baggage fees and in today’s do-it-yourself atmosphere (except in the swankiest places), it will save your back. Many hotels no longer have bellhops to help you lug in your stuff. My advice: pack your bag (not plural) and then take 1/3 out. You’re also allowed about 45 pounds for a checked bag on an international flight. Can you carry it comfortably?

Travel Tip No. 2:

To help pack light, take clothes with similar palette, mix and match, 2 pairs of shoes, scarves for color.

Kas paints: the video

2011-10-17T15:20:00.004-04:00

I finally uploaded my video of Kas Stanton painting with Billy Noonan on Youtube. I'll try to insert it here.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ahS6bSiXQKg

Guess you'll have to click on above!

Plein Air in the Maremma 2011: Laura and Billy

2011-09-12T14:52:00.009-04:00

Here, Billy listens to and teaches Kaz.

Billy's Podere Carceroni, in progress.

These are some of Laura's works in progress.

Laura was pretty prolific also! Besides teaching, she got these done. My camera card was filled at the end of the critique, so I couldn't get close-ups.

Plein Air in the Maremma 2011 - parting thoughts

2011-09-12T14:45:00.003-04:00

Below are postings made much later than the actual dates of occurrence. We were in the Maremma in early July. This is September, almost 2 months later.

All the class members' works are posted below, except for one person, who opted not to have any photos published. It is a shame, because she, like all the class members, made such good progress, had breakthroughs and produced wonderful work under the tutelage of Billy and Laura, whose paintings I forgot to post. One more coming up.

I hope that in the future we will have such a group of dedicated people who will get together and paint such lovely work.

Plein Air in the Maremma 2011

2011-09-12T14:15:00.006-04:00

Our travels around the area took us to several teeming towns and cities, in contrast to the peacefulness of Podere Carceroni. Our shopping and lunch mecca was Paganico, a walled town which requires driving through arches at both ends. There's a great bar for lunch, with a gelateria next door - very important. Outside the arches is a Coop, the supermarket where I got most of our essentials and plenty of bottles of water. It was so hot during our stay that people stayed in the pool as much as possible.

Day trips were to the island of Giglio, off Monte Argentario, just written up yesterday in The Washington Post. That visit required a ferry ride from Porto San Stefano to Giglio Porto. A bus took us to the top of the island with incredible 360 degree views. At the top, there was a castle to climb to. More views. Sorry I don't have photos for all these places.
One painting site was Talamone, a very quaint fishing village just a bit north of Monte Argentario. Great painting, not so great walking down the rocky paths.
One afternoon most of the painters went to Pienza. Some took advantage of the painting and photo opportunities; others shopped. Pienza is one of the first really planned towns, at least in Italy; Pope Pius II (1458) designed the layout of the town. It is a very user-friendly town and thus attracts lots of tourists. The pecorino cheese is wonderful, as are the views by the wall over the valley and down the curving alleys.
We found out that Grosseto, the capital of the Maremma, is a nightmare to drive in. Each time we went there we got lost. Walls, tunnels, one-way streets, round and round we go.
The Maremma is indeed not the frequented Tuscany most are familiar with. Its access is a 2-lane road that is scary to drive. Hill towns are scarcely populated. It is not commercial; it is peaceful and private.

Plein Air in the Maremma 2011: Walter

2011-09-12T14:06:00.005-04:00

Walter was really the most adventurous of us. He had never painted before, but picked up waterpaint and brushes and colored pencils and drew and painted what he saw. He was methodical going about his adventure in painting, but adventurous in getting exercise. He used the podere's bike and rode for miles down the bumpy and dusty dirt roads nearby. He needed to do lots of laundry and airing out afterward.

Plein Air in the Maremma 2011: Valeria

2011-09-12T13:44:00.007-04:00

Valeria is the owner of the podere. She is a very talented woman - she's a cook, an architect, a designer and a painter. She previously had never done pastels before, so this is her first painting in that medium. Her basic artistic ability makes this seem so easy for her.

Plein Air in the Maremma 2011: Larry

2011-09-12T13:24:00.008-04:00

This is Larry's second workshop in Italy; he started painting again last year after a 55 year hiatus. If he can get over his engineering side and list in favor of his left brain, he could paint what he sees and not what he knows. I can say this about Larry because he's my husband!

Pleased as punch!

These are Larry's final critique paintings that he showed. He wants to still work on a couple, I guess.

Plein Air in the Maremma 2011: Karen E.

2011-09-12T12:22:00.021-04:00

Karen paints the hills.

The Garden Wall.

Karen, who usually paints with oils, tried pastels for the first time.

And my camera card filled up before I could get Karen's critique shots.

P. S. I had the best time gossiping with Karen: she lives down the road from where I grew up, knows everybody in town, including some of my very old dear friends.

Plein Air in the Maremma 2011: Sandy

2011-09-12T11:06:00.013-04:00

Sandy Spitzer was the most colorful, passionate, and prolific participant. She went everyplace there was to paint: Orbetello, Giglio, Talamone, and from every angle of the Podere Carceroni.
She's also extremely fast.

Sandy just spits them out; hence her name Sandy Spitzer!

Sandy paints in the courtyard of Podere Carceroni.

Sandy hams it up at the final critique. Here you can see how prolific she was during the week. She took advantage of every minute and painted, painted, painted.

Plein Air in the Maremma 2011: Kaz

2011-09-12T10:22:00.018-04:00

Karen Stanton, aka Kaz, is from Australia. She joined our class after holidays in Naples with friends. In Australia, she has a performing arts studio; she brought her dancing to the easel.

Kaz at work. She multi-tasks: dances, sings and paints.

Kaz lays in color for the Podere painting.

Kaz' paintings dry on sunny terrace.

Kaz' works at the critique.

Plein Air in the Maremma 2011: Ellen

2011-08-02T15:41:00.014-04:00

This year I think I'll do use a different method to document what happens during a workshop: each person's progress will chronicled, showing his or her week's opus.

Ellen has been a very loyal student to our art program; she has taken many lessons from the Wallkill River School, Billy Noonan and workshops through Tuscany: A Journey for the Senses, to name a few.

Here's a sampling of her week's progress:

Plein Air in the Maremma 2011: Day 1

2011-08-02T15:01:00.014-04:00

Once again, Laura Martinez-Bianco and Billy Noonan arrived here in Tuscany to teach painting. This week-long class will be in the Maremma, a more wild area of Tuscany than most we have been to. However, the landscape views are lovely.

We are staying Podere Carceroni, which is located outside of a tiny hamlet called Poggi del Sasso. It is owned and run by Valeria and Maurizio, who have their winter home in Milan. Valeria is originally from Rome and has studied architecture, cooking, and art. They restored a ruin of stone farmhouse (actually, just a pile of stones) over a period of 4 long years and opened up for business as a B&B in 2010. We are enjoying the fruits of their labors, even in the intense July 2011 summer heat!

Here are some of photos of the podere:

Plein Air on Cape Cod, October 23 afternoon

2010-11-08T12:50:00.034-05:00

We picked up sandwiches for lunch at Sam's Deli in Eastham and came to the picnic tables at Mac's Shack in Wellfleet.

After lunch, we started the afternoon session in the blustery wind.

A very attentive class listens and watches as Billy demonstrates: paint what you see.

A good class.

Laura starts her lesson: a blank canvas.
Then the sky.

I can't get the cursor to go in between the photos, so you'll have to figure this out.
Laura instructs. first sky, then darks, then get your idea down.

Michael starts his harbor idea.

Stephanie lays her color idea in. The end result was completely different! You'll see later.

Larry sets up, to paint something mechanical, the buoy.

Shrouded Peggy. It was really windy on the water.

Plein Air on Cape Cod, October 23 AM

2010-10-31T11:14:00.053-04:00

A very cool shadow at Fort Hill!

Billy is so threathening!

A very pleased Billy!

Ellen concentrates on her breakthrough piece, gets approval, and then packs up for the morning.

Deb's painting of Fort Hill.

Windblown Deb!

And Michael's painting of Fort Hill. This is a breakthrough piece from Michael. Hooray.

Larry Hill really loves to paint, even though he's quite new at pastels. "Billy, help me see!"

Our Tennessee Peggy enjoys the Cape, even in the wind.

Larry D tries a new medium.

Pastels are proving a challenge!

Karen in the Weeds

Stephanie is really happy to paint again.

View from Fort Hill

Billy and I were both snagged
by this damned stick on Fort Hill.

The Wicked Pickers in Italy

2010-10-28T08:54:00.011-04:00

And the First Dinner for the musicians and their families.

The Last Supper for the painters.

The Pickers set up.

The Wicked Pickers play.

Final Paintings of Laura and Billy

2010-10-28T08:19:00.015-04:00

I would be remiss not to include groupings of Laura's and Billy's collection of work done in Tuscany (and later in a side trip to Umbria) in July.

These are some of Laura's:

And these are some of Billy's:

We had a great week - artistically, socially and gastronomically, not to mention great scenery, relaxation, exploratory excursions. It was a saturation of senses for all, but that's why we came!

The Final Viewing: A Week's Work

2010-10-23T16:51:00.007-04:00

On our final day, we had a showing in the circle of everyone's wonderful work. Remember that some of the painters hadn't painted since grade school and some hadn't touched a canvas in 10-15 years. Others, of course, paint pretty constantly. All in all, the body of work here is amazing!

We had quite a crowd at our opening/closing:

Here are Fran's:She exploded with freedom on the day before.

Larry:

Ellen:
Nancy, the prolific one:

Saturday, July 3

2010-07-18T18:46:00.005-04:00

Laura works on a new view of La Palazzina.

Larry is finished with Celle sul Rigo!

Friday, July 2.

2010-07-18T18:00:00.017-04:00

Billy started today with a class on color. He painted the red car of Thomas, from Germany. I forget the type of car, but it was cute. When the color study was done, Billy presented it to Thomas, who seemed very happy.

Ellen's painting of the geraniums on her balcony, which, by the way, gave her the biggest room of all!

Larry's painting of Celle sul Rigo comes into shape. I am very proud of him - he's my husband - for braving this class as a beginner and then showing his latent talent. And this - all from the picture he did of our doggie.

Nancy finishes her trees, maybe. She has a problem signing her work!

Billy works and finishes his View from the Terrace.

Thursday, July 1: Painting Continues

2010-07-18T17:40:00.009-04:00

lunch at pama

The class had the same schedule today, but many didn't show up early. Twas a very late night last night, coming back from Florence. I didn't get many photos of today, because I also was a bit weary and late-starting.

The day actually started with the class, the topic of which was about painting a Quick Study, forming a composition of basics shapes.

Nancy paints the cypress trees surrounding the garden.

Larry begins to paint Celle sul Rigo from the terrace.

Billy's landscape with midnight footprint.

Who did this? Perhaps Ellen?

We had lunch today at Pama in Radicofani, a great local hangout. I apologize that I didn't get everybody in the photo. Twas an excellent (and cheap!) repast.

La Palazzina set for dinner. Antipasto: asparagus, frittata, tomato, truffle bruschetta

Mommy Sarah and Nancy

2010-07-03T02:35:00.003-04:00

This photo is solely for Sarah's kids, who must miss her dearly.

Day 4: A Trip to Florence

2010-07-03T00:58:00.004-04:00

Today we all woke up early to climb into the van driven by Giancarlo, boyfriend of Francesca. He lives very nearby and works at Autoleggio Caroti as a mechanic and chauffeur/driver. He was brought up in the Mugello, the part of Tuscany directly north of Florence. The Mugello is famous for its slate and knives. So Giancarlo knows the ins and outs of Florence - all those one-way streets, dodging for tourists, and pushy cars.

We were dropped off at the train station, which is basically across a couple of streets from the Santa Maria Nouvelle, a beautiful church famous for its important art: a carved, wooden crucifix by Giotto, Massacio's Trinity which is the first good depiction of perception, and incredible side chapel pieces with wrought iron work, to mention only a couple.

Then we walked over to the Duomo and the Baptistery and its Ghiberti bronze doors (copies). We did not go inside because our one-day overview trip of Florence stirred up a whirlwind of trotting artists with little time. However, people were given about one-half hour to circle the outside of the intricate pink, green and white marble edifices.

We then had a very good lunch at Cantinetto di Verazzano, where we opted for a sampling of delicious little sandwiches (I'd never had a pea-cream cheesey sandwich before; I really liked it!), beans with tuna, and a cheese sampler. The house white wine was perfect for the hot, hot, humid summer day: twas crisp and a bit fruity.

Then we headed for the Uffizi, where we had reservations for 2:00 pm. On our way over there, we stopped at the Piazza Signoria ..... to view the sculptures under the Loggia. It must have been quite a violent time; there are decapitations galore, sculpted by Donatello, Cellini and Giambologna and others.

Even though we had reservations, we waited in line at the Uffizi: to exchange the voucher for real tickets, to get into the building, to go through security, to check bags, to climb the many flights of stairs up to the beginning of exhibits. Separately, we all wended our ways through the packed museum. Some of the more famous paintings there are Botticelli's The Birth of Venus and Primavera, Lippi's Madonna and Child and Michelangelo's unfinished Holy Family. These more famous paintings and others were so mobbed that it was difficult to really get a good view. (There is also so much art in the Uffizzi that one easily gets overwhelmed. It is a museum to tackle one room at a time, again and again, over the span of a lifetime.)

After the Uffizi we went across the river via the Ponte Vecchio to the Boboli Gardens where some of us climbed to the top. The older geezers stayed below while the more youthful class members got photos of the entire city panorama. The heat and humidity were dreadful. Some of us then hightailed to the restaurant for our early 7:00 pm reservation while others went with Billy and Laura to an art supply store to pick up coveted Florentine paints and supplies and foam core for Fran. Giancarlo joined us for dinner, the herded us back to the train station for our sleepy trip back to Radicofani.

Photos will be loaded at a later date.

Day 3: Picnic Day

2010-07-02T03:29:00.016-04:00

As usual, most of us wake early, some earlier than others, to paint outside in the morning light. The paintings that people started Monday are continued and finished or new ones are begun. Some of us most be reminded that less is more; that too much fussing defiles the original spirit of the painting. (The early painters are also served coffee outside - a nice touch.)

Nancy at the big olive tree.

Larry's Geraniums

Breakfast follows. The morning buffet is laid out with fresh yogurt, fruit, ham, cheese, toast, fruit tarts, cakes, croissants, boiled eggs, juice and more that I'm forgetting. We are served capuccino, tea or "american" coffee.

After breakfast, the first real class takes place. Today the topic is observation, looking, painting what you see, not what you know. I didn't get photos of this session, but Larry's first start at the tractor is an example of what not to paint: Laura said it looked like a diagram in an repair manual. Georgio's tractor now exudes the spirit of Georgio, the gardener or maybe Tommy the Locomotive.

Then the post-breakfast session begins, each person taking up his or her place again in the hay field across the road to finish the painting started there on the day before. For some, the rolls of hay are hard to capture; for others tis the sky that's difficult.

Larry's Field with Hay Bales (for a well-rounded diet rather than a square meal, attributed later to George O'Connor of the Wicked Pickers.)
We break; tis getting really hot now. Ask Ellen: she's our thermometer. After the clean-up, we gather our secret picnic lunch from the fridge, cram into the cars, and drive towards Sarteano on Route 478. Only about 10 minutes away, after many curves and hills, we pull into the picnic table area with beautiful panoramic views which unfold from both sides of the road. Billy and Laura unpack their loot: salamis, cheese, olives, cherries, apricots, peaches and a melon, all of which taste so wonderful, as we throw the pits into the trees below. We go through a lot of water in the heat.

After this fine repast, we divide up into 3 groups: those staying on the hill to paint the view, those going back to the villa either to paint in the shade or to slip into the pool, and those going on a little hill town excursion.

We meet back at the villa for critique of work done so far.

Then we have an "early" dinner that starts between 7:30 and 8, so that we may wake up early for our early departure to Florence tomorrow.

Day 2: Painting Begins

2010-06-28T06:16:00.045-04:00

One Challenge of the Week: Hay Bales in Perspective and Realism in

Value

This morning at 7:00 am the painting began in the immediate vicinity of La Palazzina. Each painter chose a spot to work from: assuming he/she will not finish a painting in one morning, that morning spot will remain hers or his until the painting is deemed finished. The theory of this method is that the light will remain sort of the same for the duration of the painting process.

Here's what we have so far:

Our fearless (and very good) teacher: at least one of them for now.

Billy Noonan, Oil Painter

A View from the Terrace A View (more finished)
(the beginning)

and later in the morning, Billy worked from the driveway to the sheep field ...

View from Sheep Field
(the beginning) (more finished)

From our other fearless leader and very good teacher, Laura Martinez-Bianco, pastel artist:

Later in the morning:

Olive Tree with Hay Bale

Color Studies by Ellen Trayer:

The Olive Tree (the beginning of what Ellen considers her best work ever)

Concentration and then JOY

The Veteran Student, Nancy Woogen:

Nancy is a very prolific painter. I think she must have painted at least 15 works by week's end.

Fran Devitt, our last-minute sign-up. I think we are all very glad Fran joined us - her good sense of humor and practicality lightened us all.
and get a load of her pastel tray!!

Fran's goal for the week was to let loose: to paint blocks of color instead of tiny detail. Here, she's off to a great start.

The New Student: Larry Hill.

The Geranium Pot, Larry's First Pastel

Plein Air 2010: Pastels and Oils

2010-06-28T05:11:00.010-04:00

Here we are again!

We arrived yesterday at La Palazzina to a very unique greeting. There was a 500 Fiat rally convened around the circular driveway year, with tables of pecorino, salami, the Palazzina's olive oil. Little tiny cars with funny-sounding horns were being ogled by proud and jealous admirers and owners.

Billy was on the terrace painting the multi-colors of the 500s, while Laura was in a corner by the entrance to the property, painting this Fiat in gray. Billy said he had never painted so fast!
Laura doesn't paint cars, but didn't want to insult all these passionate car people by not painting a car and at the same time she knew she had to paint a decent-looking 500. She did. And Billy pleased all.

Most of the painters spent the afternoon sleeping off jetlag, relaxing or lounging by the pool. Remember: the last word of our website is vacation!

Later in the evening, before dinner, we met under the gazebo in the orchard to have an overview of the workshop, the week and the options. We heard a collections of goals for the week, all different, indicating all levels of experience - or lack of... Laura and Billy reminded us that this week will give all an opportunity to paint uninhibited by the family screaming for food or the blue shirt or trips to the grocery store or picking up the kids from baseball practice. The week is solely for the students' pleasure.

2009 - 2010: Intervening Time

2010-06-28T04:53:00.005-04:00

After a year's hiatus, we come back to our blog.

In the interim, since last July, we had Andrew DeVries' sculpture class - or an art history class with the focus on sculpture. Andrew walked us through Florence, Orvieto, Pienza, San Antimo, Assisi, Deruta' the Spoerri sculpture park and more to show us some of his favorite works and impart his excitement and extensive knowledge of sculpture specifically, art in general to all of us. When I am home again and have access to all my photos, I will post some of them here, along with a power point presentation Andrew gave at Tutti Italiani at The Cultural Center of Cape Cod during the winter.

Another event that took place in February was a series of dinner put on in Cape Cod when Silvano, Eliana and Francesca came over and cooked up a Tuscan storm. They fed approximately 350 people over the course of 5 dinners, parties and demonstrations. The following local businesses and institutions participated and are deeply in our gratitude: The Cultural Center of Cape Cod, Snows Home and Garden, The Beacon Room, Ring Brothers Market and Orleans Wine and Spirits. All these events were videotaped by John Rega of Fooding Around; you can find some podcasts of our 2-week whirlwind. I will also post photos of these events also.

Laura Martinez-Bianco made a presentation of the plein air workshop that William Noonan and she will teach in June 2010. I will try to insert the PowerPoint show here.

A wonderful experience

2009-07-06T02:48:00.005-04:00

"A wonderful experience" cannot even come close to summing up into words this past week of my life. I came to see Italy and study pastels. This I did and more. Laura was a wonderful teacher, and I learned so much from her. I think my primary medium of plein air painting, will indeed, be pastels this summer.
The people here have been so kind and welcoming in every way. Silvano is a wonderful host. Both he and Joan went the extra mile in every way to make our experience more than we could dream it would be. Joan drove us all over the countryside sharing her love for the land and its people with us. Eliana has spoiled us with her wonderful cooking and her bright smile. Ilenia has been a joy to visit with at meal times, again with the same bright smile that everyone here seem to share.
I thank all these wonderful people I have mentioned and many more that I have not for an experience of a life time.
By the way, did I even mention how beautiful it is here? I'll bring this place and its people home in my heart. I feel blessed!!!!!!!!!! posted by Nancy Woogen

Friday, July 3rd

2009-07-04T11:27:00.010-04:00

A Four Plum Bunch and other things...

Rising again mighty early, the artists met at a favorite place on the grounds of La Palazzina. The view of the olive grove and the beautiful hills beyond. Laura and Nancy took on the expansive view and Christy focused on a plum tree, four plums in particular.

One of the great things about being here is the chance to meet people from different countries and cultures. Sandy and Lauren came to La Palazzina from South Africa for a 4 day course in the cooking arts. Eliana taught and Silvano translated and chauffered the mother and daughter to a vineyard, cheese factory, olive oil mill and local areas of interest. We bid them a fond farewell and hoped to see them again next year.

Evening of July 1: The Facade of La Palazzina

2009-07-04T02:47:00.013-04:00

The following covers the afternoon of July 1 and the day of July 3, which was a turning point day!
Thursday, July 2, was our free day: Laura went to Siena with her family to take in some of the pre-Pallio pagentry; Nancy, Christy and I first went to a local spa for a mud treatment, then lunched simply but amply at Eraldo's in Lucignano d'Asso, and then we skirted a mean thunderstorm by visiting Montalcino, Castiglione d'Orcia and Montichiello, before landing again at La Palazzina.
July 3 was the day when both Nancy and Christy really got a handle on using pastels, so it was definitely a good day. In the afternoon, there was a critique of all work done to date. Twas interesting to see the gradual improvement curve of our work.

The facade of La Palazzina turned out to be an extreme challenge to paint.

Here Nancy sits by the pool and paints in familiar acrylics, to restore her artistic confidence. It worked. The next full painting day was her breakthrough day.

Christy did a marvelous drawing of the steps to the pool area; I don't yet have a photo.

2009-07-01T13:19:00.000-04:00

Now I just want to give you a taste of La Palazzina, its family and activities through some photos.

Girasole, Monte Amiata e Campi (Sunflowers, Mount Amiata and Fields

2009-07-01T12:50:00.000-04:00

This morning we drove to the outskirts of Contignano, a very small town about 19 km from La Palazzina. There is the only nearby, accessible field of sunflowers we have seen, which is unusual, because there are usually many waving fields of green and yellow in this area during the summer months. In the fall, they just turn brown and aren't too attractive. We spent about 3 hours at the edge of this field, sketching and then painting. The results proved different than yesterday: Christy was very happy with her painting; Nancy wasn't. Yesterday it was the opposite.
Monte Amiata is the outstanding geographical mark in southern Tuscany; it has lots of ski runs, chestnut trees and also quite of few plants used in pharmacological agents.
Again, I'll try to do a bit of time-lapsed photography of the different paintings.

Tuesday, June 30, 2009 - our afternoon in Pienza

2009-07-01T09:36:00.001-04:00

We learned about Pienza through Roberta, our guide, whom Laura had met a few years ago.
She guided us through the history of this first planned Renaissance town and Pope Pius' involvement throughout the ages. It is a very beautiful town, not only in its present quaint grandeur, but also in its location overlooking the Val d'Orcia.

Day 2, Tuesday, June 30, 2009. Pictures from the Goat Field

2009-07-01T08:24:00.000-04:00

We rise ever so early (around 6:30am) to capture the wonderful sunrise light of Val d'Orcia. This morning Laura led us to the goat field which is across the road from La Palazzina. The view of the hills, Celle sul Rigo, San Casciano dei Bagni and La Palazzina were fairly purply picturesque in the morning light. But, we were to be challenged with an olive tree or two in the midst of the muddy goat field. Why is it the goat field? Silvano's neighbor has both herds of sheep and goat who pasture in a rotating fashion in the nearby fields. On Monday, we were going to paint from this field, but the goats beat us to it. So we waited until today and weren't forced to make a run for it.
Laura and Nancy painted the view of La Palazzina; Christy painted an olive tree, and I, a complete non-painter, took a stab at sketching and then painting another olive tree. Here are time-lapsed photos of our progress!

Market in Chuisi, a walk through Cetona et al

2009-07-01T07:00:00.000-04:00

I'm just getting used to this blog posting: tis challenging for me. But I'll do my best and hopefully improve. We've been having lots of afternoon thunderstorms, which disconnect the internet service here, which isn't at all unusual, but it's certainly frustrating.

These photos are still from Monday, when we went to the market in Chuisi, to get a taste of a market here. We also went to the art store and stocked up on some more supplies. Then Nancy, Christy and I had a very delicious lunch of ravioli with a grape tomato sauce under an arbor in a restaurant in Cetona. After we all convened at La Palazzina again, we did still life painting inside, while it poured and thundered outside. Theresa and Ilenia, two girls who work here joined us.