School work

I can share what we do in class that isn’t public or state work but simulations. I think I missed my opportunity to take a quick shot today of my first real live retouching on a painting, and plaster work on a super old frame. I don’t have details for either because I think they are private works our instructor is using to train us on.

Every thing we do is reversible because that is the common practice in Italy…especially Florence and it’s called “Restauro”. Very different techniques and ethical guidelines here in Italy but today because it was on a private piece, and I did a form of visual integration so the places that have been “wounded” look exactly like the places that are ancient. It was so amazing…I was actually painting on something created 2 hundred years ago. Me! Can you believe it, and it’s only week 2.

But back to the school work because that I have photos of.

The first is our terra cotta pots we are using to test out glues and get acquainted with the ceramic reconstruction. The next few are what we are doing in painting restoration and conservation. We are doing a step-by-step process of the old way to prepare and paint on panel. I choose to work on the guy version because there is more painting involved, and in the end he does get a little gold leaf. The last photo is of a fresco painting, done by a student last year, which I proceeded to apply glue and throw charcoal all over to mimic dirt. I get to clean it now and do research about possible artist and time period. I’m thinking a figure from the last supper but I’ve yet to completely figure it out. This is the on-site class so eventually we will be out working on location with Fabrizio or Daniella doing really work next semester, who are both fresco restoration specialists. I was pretty relieved to have a break from doing the class in all Italian (sure the translator helps but it’s a LOT to take in) when Daniella showed up. She is Irish and Spanish and speaks perfect Italian but her English is an Irish accent. It is heelarious…and she is pretty funny too.

All in all I’ve gone through half of a 140 page notebook in 7 classes and that isn’t counting the digital notes we get. I spent most of Sunday reading and napping and I don’t think I even left the apartment.

This week does seem easier even though the information is just as intense. We are all trying to figure out where the weird hunger comes from. It seems that quite a few of us are going through it. We are losing weight and eating regularly. I’m pretty sure brain activity doesn’t really burn calories but you wouldn’t have guessed it by the way our bodies are reacting. Fortunately it comes and goes in some strange 3 day cycle. It’s probably the walking but it still doesn’t add up considering now we sit all day in class most days.

Today I was actually helping Camilla talk to other students because they are under the impression I speak Italian. It is mostly I can understand them, not speak it so now she comes and asks me to explain what she is saying in Italian. I’m not really sure how I understand so much, but I think it’s my Spanish background. The words are really similar and it’s all in context. I do think I have more fine art experience, okay just experience in general and it’s helping tremendously. Besides, Camilla is adorable little rough and tumble Florentine who talks as much with her hands as her mouth. Not hard to understand that!

Well this turned into a long entry…hope I didn’t send anyone to Snoozeville with the school stuff. I can’t help it because it’s so friggin kick ass for me to be a part of…I love it!

(footnote: since I wrote this last night I was able to get some photos of the painting I worked on. I'll just post the section eventually so I don't end up in some Italian jail.)