Colosseum- Colossal Surprises!

Rome is magnificent and the buildings and architecture are incredible.  Both the scale and number of gorgeously intact buildings and ancient ruins boggles the mind.  They are everywhere!  Go around any corner, and you stumble on yet another architectural beauty. Of course, the most notable of these architectural wonders is the Colosseum.  We went on a tour today and found out a few fun facts...

Fact:  The Colosseum was not always called the Colosseum.  It's original name was the 'Flavian Amphitheater'.  The Colosseum derived it's current name from being adjacent to the "Colossus"- a huge bronze statue of Nero that has since been melted down and destroyed.  This is what it may have looked like:  

Did you know that the Colosseum had assigned seating and gates like a modern stadium? There was also fabric sheltering the spectators from above, supported by beams which protected all but the center of the Arena.  Sailors used drums to work together and haul the sailcloth into place. 

Fact:  "Arena" means "sand" and that very substance covered the floor of the Colosseum.  Sand acted as an absorbent surface for all the blood and gore which took place upon the arena floor and gave better footing to the combatants.  

Sand also disguised about 60 trap doors which served as "stage entrances" for actors in the various dramatic battles and events.  Animals and people would make their entrance onto the floor of the arena using elevators raised by slave-powered winches.  A diagram is pictured below. 

Did you know that Jewish Slaves built the Colosseum?  Rome destroyed the Jewish Temple and defeated the Jews in 70AD and then brought back 50,000 Jewish slaves and plunder from the Temple in order to construct the Colosseum?  It was begun in 72 AD finished in 8 years.  This Triumphal Arch of Titus commemorates the Roman victory and shows the plunder of Jerusalem being brought back to Rome by the slaves and soldiers. 

Triumphal Arch of Titus in the Forum which depicts the victory over the Jews in 70 AD. 

Did you know that most gladiatorial battles were man to man?  They did not always end in death, and there was quite a bit of incentive not to kill them, since their training and skill was very expensive to cultivate.  They trained just across the street in a private arena which was connected to the Colosseum by underground tunnel.  During games at the Colosseum, the gladiators generally fought in the afternoons, animals fought in the mornings, and executions took place around the noon hour.  A couple of tour guides maintain that it is unlikely that Christians were ever tortured there...but I haven't checked that fact out for historical truth. I know the Pope makes a pilgrimage there as a holy site every Lent, and I doubt he would do that because animals were killed there. 

Fact:  The exterior of the Colosseum is made of white Travertine?  It's a local stone which was very durable and easily available. Though it's original color was white, and it has only become the terra-cotta color we associate with it due to weather and age.  Can you imagine?  It's currently undergoing a 60 million Euro restoration, thanks to donations by a wealthy Italian businessman who owns Tods shoe company.  Its already partially restored to its original color.  

The Colosseum was decorated with painted statues and may have looked something like this in it's heyday (except it would have been white, right?).  Other amphitheaters were in operation throughout the empire, but in Rome, the Colosseum continued to function as a major center for these Roman games for around 500 years. 

Fact:  The Grand Opening Games of the Colosseum involved 100 days of games and overall they were responsible for the slaughter of over 10,000 animals?   Any small animals which were left, were often given to the people.  Every kind of animal was included in the games, because the goal was to thrill and entertain.  The Roman people did not have zoos or the ability to travel with ease, so bringing exotic animals out for display provided that shock and awe experience which the Emperors wished to provide.  Animals included everything from Tigers, lions, Elephants and Bulls, to Crocodiles, snakes, and small animals.    So many lions were killed during the games of the Roman Empire, that some believe these types of spectacles contributed to the eventual extinction of the European Lion.  

Were you surprised by any of these facts? We were fascinated.  If you're wondering which tour of Rome to take:  Our City Wonders tour was great, but 4 hours of climbing and walking on the rough stone surfaces of the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, and the Palatine Hill were quite demanding in the heat.  If you go, be sure to drink water, dress for the weather and wear good walking shoes! 

Let me hear from you! I read every comment and it means a lot to know you are out there traveling along with me.


Rebecca Zdybel
Artist, Instructor, Art-Travel Instructor
Art Lessons in all media
Myrtle Beach, SC
rebecca@artmyrtlebeach.com

Spread Light, Share Love, DO Art!

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Rebecca Zdybel is an artist and instructor in Myrtle Beach, SC.  Follow her and see her work at http://www.artmyrtlebeach.com/

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Arriving in Rome- How to Travel From Airport to City Center

I arrived today for a few days in Rome prior to hosting my Artfully Tasteful Tour of Tuscany.  I was reminded again that getting off the plane in Europe can be disorienting. Interpreting foreign signs and languages while sleep deprived and groggy can be a challenge. If you're not with a group, here are a few things I have learned which might help you navigate your way to town from the Rome Airport.   

Passport Control and Customs: 

Wherever your first point of entry into the EU happens to be, it is there you must go through passport control.  If you fly direct and enter the EU by landing in Rome, then you must to through passport control there.  From there you follow the "Bagliali" Signs to claim your luggage.  There is essentially no luggage inspection after that, so you merely need to follow signs to the "Uscita" or exit.  

Car Service:
It can be a real convenience to be met by a car, rather than look for a Train.  If you want to plan ahead, you can think about calling a car service to take you one way from the airport into town.  Just check the price ahead of time in order to avoid surprises.  You may want to try this Car service which is well rated by Trip Advisor: 
http://www.romeairporttransportation.com


Taking the Train into Rome: 

Once you claim your luggage, you can hop on the train into Rome's Termini Station (for central Rome).  Finding your way to the train gets a little confusing at the airport.  Once you exit the baggage claim, you will need to go UP to the train departure area.  The elevators are not clear on this point.  Today we witnessed many a tourist walking around in a jet-lagged daze, riding the elevators up and down, trying to figure out where to go to get to the trains. 

Once you get to the train station, you need to purchase a ticket.  After purchasing a ticket, you run it through the ticket stamper at the edge of the entrance to the train platforms.  You slide it in order to stamp it, and then get on your train.  This is important, as we found out later that you can be fined if you don't stamp your ticket prior to getting on the train. 

If you have a lot of luggage, riding the trains can be a challenge, but not impossible.  You may need to leave your large bags near the entrance to the car, and then take your seat.  As much as possible, you will want to make it difficult to run off easily with your baggage.  I might suggest placing a locked bike safety cord through the handles of your luggage.  That way they are secured as a group and not easily moved.  

Once you arrive at Rome's Termini station, make sure you are prepared to be on your toes for opportunistic crime.  

Here are a few hints:

• Don't leave your phone or wallet on the tabletop while you have a cappuccino.  
• Put your purse or your pack over your head and across the front of your body.  
• Have your money and passport in your money belt.  
• Don't hang your purse on the back of your chair.

Catching a Cab at Termini Station:  Official Taxi Stands at the Termini are clearly marked with a sign and details of fare stipulations.  If you don't see a line and a sign with detailed fare information, then look for another official taxi location.  

We learned this the hard way. After wandering up to an official looking Taxi sign, we spoke to a man who represented himself as the taxi director, and he sent us to a small white SUV.  Once he began loading our luggage, we noted that he did not have a "TAXI" sign on the top of his car.  We asked him "Quanta costo?" or "How Much?" and his quote was an outrageous 35 Euros for a 5 minute cab ride.  We declined the ride and found the real taxi line across the Termini Train Platform and outside another exit door.  In the end, we paid 13 Euros, plus 3 Euros for extra bags.  This story is reminiscent of NYC, and so just be aware that unofficial taxis are a potential rip-off. 

Even real taxis, may try to pull a fast one...possibly starting the meter or not starting the meter.  Be cautious, and your radar should probably go off if the cabbie doesn't want to bring you to the door of your hotel, or flips the seat forward to cover the meter.  Watch out for funny business, and make sure they are official taxi's with a lit white sign on the top of the car.  

If you come to Rome, I hope these suggestions make it a bit easier for you to get into town and avoid getting into trouble along the way.  If you have any other ideas that might be helpful to travelers coming into Rome, feel free to leave your comments here.  

 Tomorrow we visit the Colosseum with a private guide! Stay tuned!



Rebecca Zdybel
Artist, Instructor, Art-Travel Instructor
Art Lessons in all media
Myrtle Beach, SC
rebecca@artmyrtlebeach.com

Spread Light, Share Love, DO Art!

Feel free to share any of this blog post on your own blog or website, but I ask that you you include:

Rebecca Zdybel is an artist and instructor in Myrtle Beach, SC.  Follow her and see her work at http://www.artmyrtlebeach.com/

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Le Vieux Couvent- Frayssinet, France

Le Vieux Couvent- Where Artists Come to Play (and enjoy good food!)

Le Vieux Couvent welcomes all artists

Walk in the gates and expect to be transported... immediately you have a sense of walking into a "Secret Garden".  Every corner is seemingly composed as if to be painted or photographed.  Corinne Campbell and her partner Bill Boychuk, have transformed a compound of historic houses within the small French village of Frayssinet, and formed an artists' retreat.   

This lovely place was conceived as a destination for artists by the warm and welcoming hostess Corrinne. Her husband Bill, and their son also help to manage things. A small and friendly staff helps cook and clean.  

Le Vieux Couvent gardens

Check out a few of my photos from the grounds...Don't you see a potential painting in every one!

Le Vieux Couvent lilies

And have I mentioned the food??  With greens often picked fresh from the garden, Corinne has a mediterranean slant on her French cuisine.  Our breakfast was included each day, with lunch prepared for us most days.  

Prosciutto and Melon with Port wine reduction

The food at Le Vieux Couvent is beautiful and delicious

The bridge at Cahors
The staff even prepared a classic picnic with linens and wine for our market day.  Our picnic was on the shore of the river in Cahors.  Such fun! 

Enjoying a picnic on the riverbank after a morning at the market.

At 6PM we always enjoyed aperitifs to accompany our critique of paintings from the day.  Somehow we were always ready!

Joel arrives with our aperitifs as the bells in the church chime 6PM

Our celebration supper- isn't it beautiful?!

  

Lunch and dinners were always inclusive of local wines.  And I have to mention the French cheese course and dessert.  Yummmmm! 

The cheese course is a regular part of ending our meals...just before dessert!

We actually do more than just eat here too...The art studio is spacious and well lit for artists to set up and leave their materials at their work tables. The room is great for both daytime and nighttime painting (important for night-owls like me!) They also have portable chairs to take with you on location, as well as extra umbrellas and boards for use as supports.  There are lots of large tables, a heater and a sink in the studio.   It makes working in the studio very comfortable.  The extra supplies can lighten your packing requirements too.  

Located in the village of Frayssinet, Le Vieux Couvent is well located for day-trips to many beautiful and authentic French villages in their region of the Dordogne.  This time of year, the poppies are beginning to blossom, but we did not see fields full of them.  However, the iris and jacaranda trees are in their full glory.   Enjoy these photos and let me know if you are interested in joining me for a future trip to Le Vieux Couvent!  I can't wait to return...

These flowers are from "the neighbors garden" at Le Vieux Couvent.  If you're  lucky, your group will get an invitation to take a tour!

Let me hear from you! I read every comment and it means a lot to know you are out there reading.


Rebecca Zdybel
Artist, Instructor, Art-Travel Instructor
Art Lessons in all media
Myrtle Beach, SC
rebecca@artmyrtlebeach.com

Spread Light, Share Love, DO Art!

Feel free to share any of this blog post on your own blog or website, but I ask that you you include:

Rebecca Zdybel is an artist and instructor in Myrtle Beach, SC.  Follow her and see her work at http://www.artmyrtlebeach.com/

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Albi France- Visit to the Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec Museum

The town of Albi is an adorable place to go in France.  It is approximately an hour drive from Toulouse.  I went on both the toll roads and the "non-toll road route".  The scenery is not better along the slow roads, so definitely take the highway.  It's about 1.5 Euros, so not much money.

Once you get there, you'll find a quaint and beautiful town which has an impressive cathedral.  Albi was home to Henri Toulouse-Loutrec and his family. It is now the home of the museum which bears his name and houses much of his work.  I am really glad I made the trip.  Parking is easy, and the metered lots near the museum are simple to negotiate with a few coins.  I stayed about 2.5 hoursin the museum, and probably spent more time than most people would need to spend to see the entire collection.


You may not know that his parents were titled and wealthy first cousins who married and had two children.  Henri's sibling died young and it left him as an only child.  Henri had a congenital abnormality which caused him to be at risk for fractures and have brittle bones.  He broke two major bones as a child which left the bones stunted, and caused him to be shorter than normal. He had a problem with drinking and was confined to an asylum for a time.  Upon his release, his parents hired a cousin to be his sober companion and to keep him out of trouble for the family.

 Henri was educated as an artist, and painted in oil, as well as other mediums. He drew as a child, and continued as his career progressed.  I was not aware how many horses he painted, unitil visiting the museum.  He also evolved as an artist and ended up concentrating on portraits.  As a post-impressionist painter, the rebellion of catering to the French Salon had already occurred with the likes of Monet and Manet.  Lautrec lived as a Bohemian and painted among the working class, bar room crowds of Monte Martre in Paris...ptobably painting in the same environment in which he was drinking...


Two things really struck me after viewing this collection:
1. Though Toulouse de Lautrec painted women of ill repute- he did so with respect.  He portrayed them as wormen and as people.  Unlike Picasso and his drawings and representations of wormen (which were almost pornographic in my opinion). Lautrec's paintings and drawings were not nasty in any way.  In fact, they were often sensitive.
2.  Contour drawing was the basis for much of his work, especially in the later years when he produced so many prints and lithographs for the clubs and entertainers who were his patrons.  These are his most famous and reproduced works .  Contour drawing is simply rendering the edges of your subject.  Lautrec ususally did this with bold line work and then painted flat areas of color.  Words were also a large part of the design.

Here's an Idea for you Artists out there :

I've been encouraging my students to think about using contour drawing as a basis for their paintings.  If you haven't tried it, think about doing a simple drawing with a continuous line.  Pick up the pencil (but I'd recommend pen) and try to keep your eyes on your subject.  Look only when you need to, and try to look at your subject more than 80 percent of the time.  You will find that if you draw what you see, and not what you "think" is there, you will come up with some surpisingly cool drawings. This painting began with a contour pen sketch...some flat areas of color and some words, and as they say here in France, "Voila!"


If you wast to paint like Toulouse Le Trec...think about doing a contour drawing,using flat areas of color and perhaps adding words to your painting..


Here's a quick sketch from my sketchbook that might illustrate the idea with my version of Toulouse Lautrec's dancing girls. .  Give this technique a try- You might like it!
 

Toulouse France- a Beautiful City and a New Painting!

I've been enjoying wandering the streets of Toulouse and have a few shots to share with you...

Look at the beautiful light!

This one is screaming to be painted!

Here is a shot I liked a lot.  The light is not so good, but even a so-so photo can make a fun painting. 

Watch how it happens...

I did a little pen sketch...for this one I used a staedtler sepia permanent marker which I like a lot..

Once the drawing was complete, then I put a 

little watercolor on it

As we say here in France, "Voila!"  

I just love painting where I am visiting...

Pen and wash- If you haven't tried it, what are you waiting for?

Tomorrow...Albi and the Toulouse LeTrec Museum.  I'll need to figure out how to get out of the parking structure, drive there, and find my way.  I have a TomTom GPS- so I'm pretty confident I can get there.  Wish me luck!

Let me hear from you! I read every comment and it means a lot to know you are out there reading along with me.
Rebecca Zdybel
Artist, Instructor, Art-Travel Instructor
Art Lessons in all media
Myrtle Beach, SC
rebecca@artmyrtlebeach.com

Spread Light, Share Love, DO Art!

Feel free to share any of this blog post on your own blog or website, but I ask that you you include:

Rebecca Zdybel is an artist and instructor in Myrtle Beach, SC.  Follow her and see her work at http://www.artmyrtlebeach.com/

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Commissions- Are they Crazy or Cool? Sometimes Crazy is just CRAZY!

Commissions can be difficult.  Sometimes you end up spending time on a subject you may or may not feel passionate about.  There can be the difficulty in working with random people you don't know, and worse yet, this can lead you to dealing with unusual people and sometimes crazy situations.

As is often the case, truth can be stranger than fiction...Ohhhhh the stories I could tell!

Recent commissioned portraits- Mixed Media

Let's face it, selling paintings can be a challenge, and we are all tempted to do whatever will sell! Taking commissions...many artists avoid it like the plague, but others turn to commissioned work as a means of expanding their market. Occasionally I do commissions, but sometimes it gets a little weird...

Recently I had an appointment with a client whose pet died. The client dearly loved this pet, and when they sent me initial photos, I got some incredibly poor quality shots of what looked like a squirrel...I thought, "REALLY?!"  I began to smell a rat, even as  the "squirrel" ended up being something called a sugar glider.  Whatever it was, the photos were horrible.  The nose was sometimes in focus, or the branches around the animal were in focus, but the rest of the photos were blurry.  I began to think this commission was a bit too "out there" for me, but thought I'd reserve judgement.  I asked them to send more photo references my way if they had them.  The next day they didn't show up for our appointment.  The excuse was that they had spent the morning digging the poor little thing up from the grave! Initially my reaction was mortification thinking they did it to get more photo references...OMG!  I found out it was for purposes of an autopsy, but even so...it's a squirrel, people!   I mean... it's a sugar glider, people!  That autopsy probably cost more than my portrait fee!  Needless to say,  I did not reschedule our meeting, but the photos kept coming.  None of them were any good, and thankfully, none of them were shots of squirrel-like corpses! I'm not worried about it anymore.  Sometimes crazy, is just CRAZY, and that one crossed the line for me.

Another time, I was commissioned by an "inventor".  He needed help with a conceptual drawing for his new invention: I had never met an inventor before, so I was intrigued.  We met in the gallery where I worked (a public place).  He said he could not give me much information in advance about the project, due to the strict confidentiality which would be required.  Some of his inventions had been stolen before, and he needed to keep it secret until we met.  It felt a little "cloak and dagger", and I thought about wearing my trench coat and sunglasses to the meeting, but decided that he might not find it funny.  In the end, all the fuss was about a silly multi-purpose dog tool which would probably inhabit a display at a place like The Dollar Store.  It was a back scratcher, massager, detangler, fluffer, flea-picker, tummy tickler, plastic-bag carrier- all in one...yes, that's right...like the info-mercials on TV.  This little thing was going to do everything but run and fetch the paper (unlike other TV promotions- it didn't come with a cap-snaffler. The client did however, give me another of his inventions as a free gift.  It was a grocery bag handle that you could slip through multiple plastic bag handles in order to carry more of them at once. Somehow that little gizmo never really caught on with the public, and he had a few thousand lying around...but I digress ). The client was very nice, seemed normal enough, and was willing to pay me what I wanted for my time per hour...so I found myself illustrating various little gadgets for his doggie gizmo tool.  He was going to take my drawings to someone with technical expertise, who would then figure out how to manufacture the product. That was strange enough, until I brought my finished drawing to a meeting for his review.   His girlfriend was there, and promptly got mad at him for having shared their "invention idea" with me.  They got in a big fight right there in front of me, and she stormed into another room in anger.  I couldn't leave, because he hadn't paid me yet... AWKWARD! Thankfully, he was basically a nice guy, liked my drawing and paid me...then he ran off to find his girlfriend.

I couldn't even make this stuff up...

Occasionally I do commissions, and find great enjoyment in doing them, as long as certain criteria are present...

So how can you set parameters for a good commission experience? 

First: It helps to have a great client.  What makes a great client? My answer: Someone pleasant who has a love for your work and trusts in you as an artist.  

Having a client who gives you artistic license is an amazing gift.  I've been fortunate to have a few of these.  Doing so allows me to have free reign in coming up with my concept and executing it.  I don't mind keeping a palette of colors in mind...the reality is that sometimes the painting has to live in a room with a certain set of patterns or colors in place.

New painting commissioned by a friend who saw a sketch of mine and asked for a formal painting.  She does fitness training...so it's very fitting don't you think?  I think it would make a great birthday card too.  Cards and prints available for all my paintings.

Photo referrences can be a huge issue.  A client who has lots of photo references, or at least one great reference is really ideal.  I personally like to have too many photos, rather than too few.  Those clients who have a great idea for a painting may or may not have good photos for you to work from.  As the artist, you need to be ready to take some of your own photos when called upon.  I've had real photos sent my way which were laughable...everything from google.earth shots of locations, to photos of other people's work!  Really?!

A client with quite a bit of time or a flexible deadline is very helpful.   I'm not the kind of artist who can always crank out a painting on demand.  Sometimes I have to let the project gestate for a while, and then paint when the perfect storm of "opportunity + inspiration" hits.  Deadlines can be tough, and I'm sure other artists struggle with this same issue.  I teach art classes in Myrtle Beach and will be teaching on a trip in Tuscany this fall. Between work and family, I have a busy schedule, and sometimes my personal painting time is more limited than I'd like.  In the end, its about managing expectations.  I've found, if you let your clients know what to expect, they generally relax and let you take the necessary time required for a good result.

Recent pet portrait commission- Watercolor 

Every time I send a photo of a finished commission,  I always do so with bated breath...hoping that the client will like it...fearing that they won't, and worrying about THEN WHAT?!

I have to say that most of my commission experiences have been fantastic.  I love the challenge, even if it can be difficult.  I have one phone message which I received after I completed the nearby pet portrait.  In the message, my client (also a dear friend) reacted to the first glimpse of the painting with an utter meltdown.  Her phone call message went through to voicemail.  I have vowed never to erase that recording! Listening to her brought tears to my eyes, as she literally sobbed with delight and expressed her overjoyed reaction to the painting.  (For those of us who are girls, we know this response is the absolute BEST compliment ever!).   My goal in art (and in life for that matter) is to be anything but boring, and yet, I always hope to emotionally move someone in a good way when they view my work.  Her tears represent "the ultimate" type of reaction for me. When I need affirmation, I just listen to her boo-hooing all over again.  She reminds me of why I am doing this...I guess it's like applause to the performer.

On the other hand, you also have to be ready to deal with uncertainty and ego risks when doing commissions.  Once, I sent out images of my completed commission, and didn't hear back for a few days... talk about flop-sweat!  I was imagining all kinds of reasons to explain the silence...none of them good.  In the end, the lack of response was due to reasons which had everything to do with my client, and nothing to do with me or my  paintings...Nonetheless, it was a difficult few days and my insecurities were challenged.

All in all, accepting commissions is just another avenue for connecting with potential customers and patrons.  I donate 30% of my sales to charity and do so because that arrangement helps me overcome my shyness and makes selling worth the risk and the trouble.  I like the idea of sending my work out into the world to do some good...kind of paying forward on the blessing of being able to make art for a living and doing this thing which makes me so happy.  If my work can make some money, make someone happy, and make a difference in the world, then that's the best kind of win-win-win situation I can imagine.

I hope you consider doing commissions if you're an artist.  If you are interested in having me paint for you on a commissioned basis, please feel free to contact me...but when I send you a photo of your finished painting...please don't leave me hanging! ;-)

Join me in Tuscany October 2015...there are still a few spots left on the trip.  See previous blog posts!
or Join me for Art classes in Myrtle Beach...

Rebecca Zdybel
Artist, Instructor, Art-Travel Instructor
Art Lessons in all media
Myrtle Beach, SC
rebecca@artmyrtlebeach.com

Spread Light, Share Love, DO Art!

Feel free to share this blog post or portions of it on your own blog or website, but I ask that you you include:

Rebecca Zdybel is an artist and instructor in Myrtle Beach, SC.  Follow her and see her work at http://www.artmyrtlebeach.com/

All paintings are copyrighted to Rebecca Zdybel with all rights are reserved by the artist.

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