One of my art theory colleagues and aspiring painter, Luiza gave me a beautiful drawing book, ink bottle and pen to encourage me to draw while overseas in Italy last year. These are just a few of the drawings I did. I can’t believe its now been nearly 7 months and I haven’t had the time to sit somewhere quietly and draw. One of my resolutions this year and need to get cracking!
29 June 2011 – I attempt my first drawing and choose Galleria Borghese. If you only have one museum to visit in Roma – this is the one! It has the most stunning collection of Renaissance artworks and housed in the most beautiful villa and surrounded by a beautiful park. As I draw, children skate past, older couples hold hands, a man sits next to me and feeds the stupid pigeons and dogs take the lead as their look a like owners prance along. A really nice way to spend the day and feel less of a tourist.
While Adam was working I had to fill my days with walking the streets of Roma, go shopping, eating and visit museums, galleries, parks etc. But there were days when I stayed home…the heat at 38 degrees plus was full-on…and one day drew the view from our studio apartment. An older couple would water their balcony garden (where the white flowers are popping out) everyday – he in singlet and she with rollers in her hair. Not quite as romantic as Julian Sands and Helena Bonham Carter from “A room with a view” but sweet enough.
Excerpt from email
Sent: Saturday, July 09, 2011 6:28 PMSubject: Fwd: Roma – food glorious food” … Anyway, sights, sights and more sights. While Adam is working I’ve had to entertain myself and so far have managed to visit Villa Farnesina which has the most beautiful frescoes by Raphael, Baldassare Peruzzi and more Italian artists. I’ve been to Orto Botanica which has 20 different sights to visit within the gardens – roses, japanese garden, medicine plant maze, bamboo forest and even a Wollemia Nobilus from good ole Australia. I run into the gardeners and have a laugh trying to converse. They introduce me to Pierre from France but I can call him Peter…wink! wink! I laugh and give them big smiles. Chris, you’ll be pleased to know that there was no swinging of the hair…moi was a tad perspired under her hat and wasn’t going to give that one away. I decided to draw Corsoni Greenhouse as Queen Christina of Sweden used the basins for her stay 1659-1689 at Villa Riario now Palazzo Corsini. I also read somewhere that she entertained many lovers during her stay and reckoned she must have needed those basins for luxuriating in after her many conquests … “
Botanicus perfecto – as you can see from the photo below this was a beautiful specimen in flowering on a hot summers day and a perfect excuse to draw in the shade.
I’ve since discovered that you can buy the plant at one of our local nurseries and its called “Purple Caneflower”. Guess what I’ll be planting in time for our Spring….