Florence Art Tour in
2009
Drawing and printmaking in the heart of the
Renaissance Art World
In September 2004, I made a
life long pilgrimage to Italy. My principle destination... Firenze
(Florence). The heart of the Renaissance art world.
The paintings, architecture and
the sculptures were overwhelming. I spent my days gallery hopping and
drawing, drawing..... drawing
I was determined to draw from day
light to sundown and beyond. Florence inspired me like no other place in
the world.
I did not go to Florence purely as
a tourist. I went there to get to know her intimately and what better way
but to draw and draw... I walked Florence and surrounding towns and
stopped to draw for almost 22 days straight.
In that time, I explored art
schools, sort out local artists, art students and artisan's. My aim was to discover
what art courses were available. I met lots of interesting people and found out
a lot about the art scene that is only privy to the art students rather than the
tourist looking for art classes. I also met two fine Italian artisans.
One, Gianni Raffaelli, from "L'Ippogrifo Stampe d'arte", who produces the most
beautiful hand painted etchings as seen on the left. The other, a mother
and son team, Tamarra and Filippo from Edi Grafica whom I worked with for a week
to produce my first lithographic series.
My challenge was that they only
spoke Italian, I speak English and Spanish, so we were fine. Sign language
was also used extensively. I was proud of my week's work, and my new found
family.
I ventured into the drawing
schools and joined in on the open life drawing sessions. I met art
students who showed me the ropes of the Florence student art scene. All
the while I was thinking that there really is nothing for the "art tourist"
wanting to get some short term art tuition in the most artistically inspiring
place in the world... Firenze
The next most important person
that I met was Vladi Damiano. Accommodation is the biggest expense if you
want to be in the centre of Florence. Vladi, runs the most accessible,
pleasant and centrally located lodgings.
So here is the deal... 10 days in
Florence, with centrally located accommodation and art studio access. 8 days of
art tuition, gallery hopping, visits to Siena, Lucca and San
Giminano. Visit the finest artisans and assist
in creating an etching or lithograph
and just draw.. draw... draw...
More information click here.
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Art Tour information
Pilar de la Torre
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