I really want to go outside and make it light all day

 I still cant upload pictures :( Im very sorry. Blogs without pictures are boring.

Sicily was beautiful. Absolutely gorgeous. Sunny and warm the whole weekend. It was also more like the Italy I was expecting. Not to many tourists, and no one spoke english.

The sleeper train was very "knight bus" from harry potter, with less magic but just as much motion sickness.

Actually, as we were on a train, bus, boat, or taxi the whole weekend, i was perpetually motion sick all weekend. And traveling in a big group was kind of annoying. Ok, no more complaining.

We arrived at 11:30 am in Taormina. a cute old town with a wonderful view of Mt Etna, the largest active volcano in Europe. We almost got washed away in a wave of hot lava, but we narrowly avoided it. Instead we made pizza and called it LAVAZZZA.

Anyways. After walking around Taormina for a while we went to the beach. Then we checked into our hotel and we all (like 583473864 of us) went to the same restaurant were the menu was fixed but they said they had vegetarian options.  But they just never brought me a main course. weird.

On Saturday we went to the ruins of an ancient greek ampitheater in Siracusa, the town we were staying in. It was amazing. And so old. I tried to picture it as it was like back then.

Then we went on a boat trip which was awesome until i threw up.
But before that i got to jump off a boat into the Mediterranean and climb up of volcanic rock to explore a little cave. So i really cant complain too much.

Then after showers and relaxation station we went into Siracusa for a night of wild crazy dangerous fun!
Actually we all just went to this really chill bar where we got to practice our Italian speaking to local Sicilians. We also met some weird german sailors. One of them told me his friends with him were all lazy bums, unlike him who was a doctor of anesthesiology. Ha! what a bunch of crap.

Apparently some kids in my group did indeed have a little to much fun back at the hotel. The Florence University of the Arts was asked not to come back next year. whoops.

How do I always end up with the crazy people?

On Sunday we went to a town called Noto that was destroyed in the 1600s and rebuild in the (then modern) Byzantine style. It was unlike anything we had seen so far! Very interesting.

Then we had the 15 hour train ride home before class on monday! Horray!

Nothing clever to say, but "one day." Nothing else to say.

This week has been fairly quiet. Well as quite as it gets in a city. Theres always something noisy happening. Classes were good. Actually we had to draw in one point perspective in sketchbook class so that kinda sucked. Its so unrealistic looking.

But, I learned all about lighting in Fashion Photography and were were able to do some test shots in the studio. Im really excited about this class. were shooting a lookbook for this upscale boutique called Gerard. We're planning on doing it outside, really playing off the interesting textures of the city.
Test shots:

Mixed media is going to be interesting. My teacher is really into political art or art that has some kind of content behind it, even if it is not very asthetically pleasing. As for me, I'm all for meaning and content behind a work, but i like to make beautiful things. I feel that just in being beautiful they are meaningful and worthwhile. And im still trying to learn how to use various materials and what my artisic style even it. I think for my project I want to somehow incorporate the fascinating mix of contemporary and renaissance art in Florence.  Right now I'm doing studies of this awesome sculpture. I like it because it is of a mythical creature.

I visited a contemporary art gallery today called the Biagiotti gallery. They specialize in showing art of young emerging artists. Lexi and I also helped break down a gallery show today at the artist in residence building at my school. Im hoping if i make good enough contacts, I could be an artist in residence here someday!

One thing i remembered from visitng Italy a few years ago is that there are a lot of strange signs in italy. These are a few of my favorites.

What?


One of my best friends, the beautiful, porcelain skinned, Sarah Mondy is getting married tomorrow! Im so sad that i cant be there for the actual wedding, but I'm getting skyped in beforehand! If you see her or her wonderful Fiance Adam Buell, make sure to congratulate them! Im praying for you guys. Love you so much! I really wish I could be there.


oh and apparently hawks like gelato too.

Some day, we will be remembered.

Today we went on a walk up to the San Miniato Church. You can see all of Florence from up there. Its absolutely breathtaking. It goes on for forever! Like Lake Ontario.

We got to go inside the church too. I had to wear a shawl because my bare shoulders were offensive. Understandable.  The frescos inside were incredible. There were unfinished paintings. It was so cool to see the process. It made me think, why dont we build churches like this any more? Why isnt great art and architecture used in churches to glorify God like this anymore? Ive been reading this book Tony Pisani gave me about art for the glory of God. Its so sad that Christians aren't making great art. I will try to!

Ive been taking walks around by myself and discovering cool things. Lots of little art galleries. This is truly the city of art.  There are paintings everywhere. And sculptures. Frikin amazing marble and stone sculptures everywhere. I'm so excited to be studying art here. I just want to soak it all in.  Classes start tomorrow! Tomorrow I have Florence Sketchbook, Tuesday is Italian, Wednesday is FASHION PHOTOGRAPHY!!!! Thursday is italian and mixed media. and I have Fridays off. I cant wait to have projects to do.