painting, cooking, etc.

Ciao,

After a few weeks of drawing, I dipped my hand into some paint (not literally - that stuff is toxic).

Working with oil colors on 9 x 12 canvases, our assignment was a monochrome piece with a burnt siena (we are in Siena) palette.  For this first painting, I chose to paint the Torre del Mangia which stands over the Piazza del Campo, which I frequent nightly.

Three hours later, I smelt of turpentine, but I was glad to have taken my first stabs at the oil medium. There's also hope in editing the piece in a few weeks. I'll be sure to post any touch-ups I do with this, or any subsequent painting.

Cooking class followed painting. a five minute walk away . Our teacher, Elisabetta, is extremely nice. Fortunately for us, her kindness and hospitality  for our group are overshadowed only by the delicious food she helped us make.  

Each class consists of a complete three-course meal. For the first class, we prepared (1) pesto alla Genovese to top tagliatelle pasta, (2) melanzane alla parmigiana (eggplant parmesean), and (3) biscotti cantucci with dessert wine to finish. 

Elisabetta was kind enough to spare the pesto of its customary pine nuts because of my allergy to them. This was very nice considering the minor conflicts I had with dinners Carey had prepared the two previous nights. 

The food was exquisite and it was nice to relax in a family-like setting. I'm extremely excited for the later classes considering this one went so well. I hear we might make gnocchi next week.

I hope all is well.

Love,

Michael

sie-attle?

Ciao,

Sitting in my apartment, I started to sense the presence of an old friend: Rain!

It came down pretty hard for a nice twenty minute time spurt. With the borderline triple-digit temperatures, it was nice to have a reminder of Seattle. Here are some photos:

Love,
Michael

san gimignano

Dear everyone,

This morning we took a bus over to San Gimignano, aka Siena Jr.

After some morning coffee, we took to the breathtaking hills for some good ol' sketching action. Though the sun was killer (my legs were burning!), the amazing landscapes did more than quiet those feelings.

Here are some of the views:

Love,
Michael

michaela

Dear Michaela,

I just heard. Read, actually.

The weather here has been hot, sunny, no clouds at all, and this morning was no different. When I was reading the updates and the e-mails from our friends about what had happened, the grief took me so much by surprise that I looked up. I guess when your world is turned upside down there isn't much else you can do, and as I did, I saw a little wisp of a cloud, floating, almost hiding in the sky. Just so you know (and you probably do), it was the only cloud I can remember seeing the whole day.

Unsure about it all, I reflected and started drawing. There was a church (San Francesco) I had passed by during the first few days here. For some reason, I was called to it. So I drew.

It probably won't really hit me until I get back to the States or talk to someone about you face to face, but that doesn't change how much I miss you.

I would just like to say thanks.

Thanks for your hugs, positive attitude, and laughter.
Thanks for my impromptu birthday party.
Thanks for sleepovers, snack-duty, and making me the DBD of The Fam.
Thanks for the deep talks and endless support.
Thanks for putting up with my bad jokes and toilet humor.
Thanks for making me feel humbled, supremely important, and everything in-between all at the same time.
Thanks for your friendship.
Thanks for you.

I'll miss you.

Love,
Michael

duomo

Howdy,

This morning, our class met for our first drawing study outside of the Duomo. It was very hot (again) and my drawing was not the best (which was a little frustrating), but all those emotions soon disappeared after we entered the church.

Outside, the church was adorned with all sorts of sculpture and decor. The inside of the church was no different. The floors were composed of ilustrated large tiles, while the walls each contained paintings of the Stations of the Cross. Each of the Duomo's tall columns were wrapped by the characteristic Sienese black and white stripes. The church had some really nice looking stained glass as well.

Pooped from the sensory overload, I am going to take advantage of some siesta time. Look for upcoming posts on my Italian cooking class and trip to San Gimignano. Pace fuori.



Love,
Michael

views from siena

Ciao,

In the first of many (probs), here is a visual sampling from my first week in Siena:

Love,
Michael

i miei roomi

Yo yo yo,

Michael Fehrenbach (F-Bach), Carey Smith, Peter Loyd, and I have just moved in to our accommodations.

Michael has been in Italy for about a month, as he was also part of the Philosophy & Theology trip in Florence headed by Dr. Andrews and Fr. Cobb. He and I and share musical tastes, interests in Macintosh computers and graphic design, enrollment in the Matteo Ricci College, and seem to have a similar sense of humor.

Carey has taken up the role of cook of the house. So far, we have enjoyed a nice array of Italian dishes, which help in being as frugal as possible in this foreign country. Carey is also very funny and is more of the "wild-man" type. He has been in Europe for more than a month, traveling alone in places ranging from Paris to Budapest.

Peter is a little more subdued, but no less fun than my other two roommates. He is pretty introverted, but when expressive, is extremely insightful and entertaining. I was supposed meet Peter in Rome, but unfortunately, his flight was delayed.

This is a quick initial glance at the three dudes I will be living with for the next month. Hopefully, I will enjoy them as much as you like reading about them. Peace.

Love,
Michael

PS - There's an Italian moth on my screen as I sit on a street neighboring my apartment. Mike and I are mooching Wi-fi. I think the moth might have an accent, but I can't tell.