Sep 30, 2008

To the Top





Renee, Stefano and I ventured the 530 steps up to the top of St. Peter's dome today.  It was a struggle, with winding, tilting stairwells and narrow halls but we made it, and the view was gorgeous.  

New things surprise me every day in Rome.  I'm really starting to settle in and enjoy the experience.  There are so many unique things here about the Italian culture.  The Italians are so friendly if you just speak a little Italian to them first.  They jump up and are ready to help you.  I was at the pharmacy the other day, and had looked up the phrase for "my throat hurts".  The lady understood me right away and was offering me different medicines and smiling.  It's nice to be understood...at first.  Of course, I had no idea what she was saying back to me. 

But people who do speak English love to talk.  They know right where Ohio is, and that they want Obama to become president.  

Car horns are especially important here.  And almost everyone has a little vespa.  All different types of people ride vespas, old men dressed in spunky clothes, men in business suits, and young women in high heals.  

I've also gotten used to the lovely water system.  It's everywhere!  And apparently the Romans freak out when they visit other cities because they don't have their plentiful supplies of water at their feet.  

Life sure seems great here. :)

Photo updates
















I finally got up to date with my photos. However all of them are uploaded on photobucket, I'll post up a few here that I really enjoyed. We finally saw the Vatican today, and with that, I did three on sight presentations. It was kinda hard to talk over all of the people but at the same time I hope I can go back again and draw something. I still really want to go to the gardens, but I might have to go online searching for that if I'm ever going to make that a reality.






I'm looking forward to the trip in the medieval town, since thats being more up my ally then the number of ruins we've been seeing. I guess you can say I've been 'old roman'ed' out, but at the same time I find the the photos I've taken are good reference to say in the least. I also started on my minature project, which will also get my 'Arian/Kalissa/Ajax' inclination out of the way too.






We finally made it to the art store too, and while it was really far aware and super expensive (Hell most of things in italy are super expensive), it was still nice. Apparently we're also getting good at blundering around into the city and finding places we need to go. As long as we have a map and a bus route anyway. Haha. Oh well, I'll stop ranting.

Sep 28, 2008

The Baths of Caracalla


After our trip to the Appian way and the Catacombes, we visited the baths of Caracalla on the way home. And OK, OK, Ms. Dawson did not take this shot (she is NOT into photography), but Stefano did (he IS into photography).  Anyway, these ruins are about the size of the Alps, approximately the size of St. Peter's, staggeringly large. Them Romans were pretty clever with concrete and bricks. This was basically the largest sport facility on earth during its time, and included hot, warm and cold bathing pools, indoor and outdoor exercise/sport areas, restaurants, and other unmentionable activities. Unfortunately, it has been stripped of its marble, so all you can see is the ruined structure holding everything up, with a few ceramic tile floors remaining intact, but it is gargantuan in scale. We also went to a very old nearby church which had excellent frescoes, where they were setting up for a wedding. There are a lot of church weddings in Rome at this time of year.

On the Appian Way

Here we are on one of the oldest roads known to personkind, the Appia Antica of Rome, which still exists after 2000 years in its original form, more or less. We had a day of DEATH, looking at the bones of the early Christians and going through the catacombes (very cold, humid, dark and creepy). This activity was offset by beautiful weather while strolling along the ancient road, which actually made it into a day of LIFE, even though everyone was very tired.

sound of Rome

Just wanted to say, if Rome was a sound it would be this:


stuff like this is always going on in the streets of Rome, it's awesome.
Sorry for the crappy quality, but all you need to do is listen

Sep 27, 2008

Pictures!






I feel kinda bad, since I'm uploading pictures and not my latest ones. But I just take so many that I really can't upload them all right away. Anyway, We've been running around a lot lately as you can see from the other posts, and I've gotten to doing some artwork as well. I have to keep on reminding myself to bring a hat and put it down next to me so that hopefully someone'll pity me and drop down money like they did to Renee XD


I'm learning more about the culture behind everything of Rome from David(e?), one of the school teachers that kinda takes us out on feild trips. I'm getting idea's for my world war II character Renata finally, but I have to get down to going back out to those sites and getting to drawing her more profusely in the enviornments. I really -REALLY- want to go to the gardens in the Vatican, because a great idea struck me for my final peice, but you sort of have to arrange a special 'tour' to get back there- and then I'm not sure if you can take pictures either. Oh well.. at least I have a postcard of it. Speaking of which, I sent out the lot of those who wanted me to send them- I just hope they get to the people with the ammount of postage I've placed on each.


Okay, I've rambled on about nothing special so far, I put up a few more pictures for you to gander at.


Ciao~


Julie

Sep 26, 2008

Field Trip to Ostia Antica

This is a picture of the train we took to Ostia Antica, after transferring from a shoulder to shoulder subway train in the center of the city. We were so crammed into the subway train that this felt like a futuristic transport. We could use our weekly train cards for the trip, so the entire trip cost the same as a single ride in town. On the way, we had  great capuccino at the railway station with a very sassy fun waiter.

Field Trip to Ostia Antica- the Pyramid

On the way to Ostia Antica, a 2,000 year-old Roman city which is located about 30 miles west of Rome, we had to transfer trains at a location where there is a Pyramid constructed during roman times. It is quite startling to see this in the middle of a normal part of the city.

Ostia Antica

Ms. Dawson in front of some of the reconstructed temple ruins at Ostia Antica

At the Palazzo Spada, Rachel gave an excellent presentation about the work of the painter Artemisia Gentileschi, one of the few female painters of the Renaissance. The presentation was upstaged slightly by the unannounced appearance of a gold-colored cat, who took a liking to Julie.

On the Palatine Hill

Il Gruppo Studio Roma on the Palatine, home of the imperial rulers of Rome. (In ruins, but very recognizable). A lot of time was spent sketching and painting with unbelievable weather.

The Colosseo in Rome

A combined trip to the Palatine Hill, the Arch of Constantine and the Coliseum was an adventure lasting the better part of two days. There was a lot of time spent sketching and exploring the areas.

Field Trip to Ostia Antica

Amanda finds the perfect pine cone amidst the ruins, which are 2,000 years old and utterly impressive- an entire city buried under silt and preserved for history. 

some art




i was talking to Ms. Dawson earlier today, and was telling her about this pic that i started drawing last night, that the pose was inspired by a statue that we had passed earlier in our exploration of Rome from a couple days ago, and she just really encouraged me to post it and share it with everybody. sadly, i see no real 'resemblance' between the two, but it was nice working on a pose that came from good solid reference...a shot that i, myself had taken. it's amazing how well i like my drawings when i actually use reference! perhaps i should use it more often! but this character actually belongs to my boyfriend, but the drawing is of course, mine! and i apologize to everyone for the huge watermark, i'm just really paranoid about putting my stuff on the internet!

Trevi Fountain

As legend has it, throwing a coin with your right hand over your left shoulder with your back to fountain will ensure that you return some day. We're taking no chances.
No other city on earth has such wonderful public facilities as Rome, where you can find clear, cold, drinkable water delivered by the aqueducts from the Alps at thousands of locations throughout the city. No need to carry around bottles of store-bought water at outrageous prices. Here, Heather is imbibing from a fountain in Trastevere, the section of the city west of the Tevere (Tiber) river.

Site Presentation at San Carlo alle Quatro Fontane

The first of many site presentations, given after being researched and studied by individual students assigned to the task. This one is being given by Shannon in the cloister of San Carlo, a space which is not often open to public visitation.

Shannon in the Crypt!

Shannon on her way down to the dark and humid crypt under the church of Santo Giovanni Battista

Rome experience thus far...

Haven't been able to post since before I left for Rome, but thanks to Amanda I can post! Yaay
Anyway it is seriously amazing so far, I'm really glad to have taken this opportunity...... The churches are all very beautiful, the city itself is so lively and Italians are very interesting people... Though I feel they shouldn't have a horn on their car, they use it too often!
err I apoligize if my spelling is way off today.

So far as everyone has discovered, gellato is amazing and delicious and I'd have it everyday if I could. But I must say Italian food is way better then American food I'll tell you that much, everything is super fresh and has so much flavor.... I must say I prefur Italian pizza over American Pizza by far.

Done a lot of walking so far, and so far I've only missed one day due to an unfortunate unexpected infection... but I don't feel I will ever get bored of these walks, there is always something new to discover. Even if we went to the same place twice I'd be amazed all over again, haha.

Blahblahblah,
I'll just go on to some photos now.

Don't know about you but this looks delicious:
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I can't remember for the life of me what church this is but, here I am basking in the holy light :P
Photobucket

Everywhere in Rome there is a ton of amazign sculpture, this is one of my favorites...
Photobucket

I don't know why, but I love all of the statues with these Friars holding a baby... anyone know the story behind them?
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I have a ton more photos, but I'm way to lazy to upload them right now haha
.... for some reason my pictures are huge...

Sep 25, 2008

Hidden Wonders


While exploring the Roman Forum the other day, I found this little almost hidden niche. I had to bend down and look through some bars from this blocked off lower area. Almosting missing it, but because the sun started to shine the stairs came into light and unless you where looking down you wouldn't even see this! And I was totally taken by the picture that these steps seem to make. The shadows that make it seem slightly dramatic.

I loved exploring the Roman Forum, it was very hard to resist the temptation of climbing onto all the ruins. Thankfully and very sadly, most of the stuff that was easy to climb on was guarded off my gates or was fenced in. Unlike in the Palinto; the Beverly Hills of ancient Rome. I was climbing on top of a lot of stuff there. It was quite fun!

Gelato


okay...one of the things that's so freakin hard to resist here in Rome is the gelato. i mean, it's totally great, and look at this! we passed this awesome gelato shop on our way to the Tempietto, but unfortunately for us, we already had our gelato for the day...but seriously...this stuff is freakin amazing! just look how wonderfully good that appears to be! i think i could spend a whole day in a gelato shop eating nothing but gelato...we know Ms. Dawson definately could!
this stuff just looks soo good!!!

Sep 24, 2008

ROMA














I have yet to figure out how to use the computer in Italian, but I have got by so far.
Everything here is absolutely breathtaking.
The roman ruins inspire a sense of how tradegic the fall of Rome was.
You never realise the significance of a site untril you are there, especially the patheon. Art history books due the building no justice. Pictures represent the building looking pristine and white, but on the sides it is brown and sienna from years of exposure. Built 2000 years ago. It's staggering, the size is truly god-like. These building are the best representations of god because you can't help but look up, and see rain pouring from the heavens. Somehow, between your neck hurting and visual overload, there is an expanding inside, reminding you of your significance against the cosmos. The pantheon is truly a perfect building, or rather the most perfect in all the world. Truly a wonder. Thank god the building was converted in early christianity, or the greatest crime of humanity would have taken place. I'm so glad it was raining, rain out of the oculus was beautiful!
Rome is definately an artistic experience. I'm getting so much material for later work.
The Caravaggio's, in person, were the most inspiring. In comparison to the paintings surrounding it just give perspective to revolutionary he was! My art will definately change because of him.
<-- And here's a special italian gatto we met at the park

Ciao, Roma!



There are so many great little things about Rome.  The tiny picturesque weddings full of confetti, rice and pigeons; perfect little churches; and of course the wonderful, yet strange looking trees.  
We've only been here a week.  I've managed to grasp the fact that I'm actually in Rome and start to take the city, the Italian culture, and the art by hand.  It's all so overwhelming, but being in this city for 2 months is a chance of a lifetime.  I can't wait to see what I can do with it.  

We're all trying to learn the language, and most Italians are helpful.  We've already made mistakes, but we smile and laugh and it's all you really can do.  

We've walked through the streets for hours since we've been here, rode on the crowded buses, acted like tourists and have taken a dozen pictures.  We've been to the markets and sat in the cafes and drank cappuccinos.  And everyday we seem to discuss getting gelato, which is a must. 

The city has its great glories not found in America. And there's much much more to come...

First Post~!



Thought I should show one of my fav shots out of all my photo's so far.

Being in Rome is really inspirational to me, it is everything I've hoped for. I can't wait to start working on some of my more finalized pieces. Sketching some of the statuary has allready made me really happy...

I'll be sure to post more later, I'm so tired~ heheh



I would Like to give a shoutout to Amanda for lending her laptop to me for a little bit~!<3

the log of jules 1






Yay internet! We finally got it fixed today and Amanda was nice enough to let me hop on her laptop to make an update. There's been a lot of culture shock so far, but I've been enjoying myself despite on feeling a bit stupid at times. I think my favorite moment so far was hearing a German woman going "Weeeeee!" on the bus the other day. I laughed and she went, "What? This is being funny to you?" and I couldn't help but go, "Hey, if you're having a good time, thats all that matters, eh?"


We saw a lot of the main sites, and pretty soon I think we'll be able to go out and do our own thing once we get our bearings. I've enjoyed the churches so far and I think my collection is going to be on the different angels I've been constantly seeing. Considering my typed report is going to be on symbology, I think I'll have to see if I can find any kind of special information on the angels I keep encountering, whether it's rank, name, or face.


Also, I've probably had the best coffee and canoli's of my life.
I'll post back more when I don't have a line of people waiting to use the computer XD But for now, you can see my photobucket for some of my uploaded photos:
Ciao~!