Day 2

We got a bit of a lie in today because we didn't meet our trainer/teacher til 12 o'clock. Still not quite landed properly.
Our tutor Ioana is starting her 8th month of pregnancy but I reckon has more energy than me even so.
Walked to her house (her mum and brothers live their too), chatting and baking in the heat.
None of us knowing what to expect but as it turns out it was a very easy day.
Coffee, cake and talking about the history of the masks making and glass icon painting.

Short version:
The masks are worn during dances and originate from an archaic, pre-Christian mentality. They protect the wearer by concealing their identity from evil spirits. The passing of one year into the next is a time when the threat of evil seemed impending, when one year dies and another forms to take it's place. So on New Year's Eve (Hogmany where I come from) the masks are donned. There are 3 types of masks; animal, old people and demonic.

During these explanations Ioana's mother, Anna (also our tutor) got out home-made plum brandy and the chat flowed a lot more easily from then on. It was, without doubt, easier to understand each other even though Anna maybe knows only a handful of English words.
A happy day was had by all and we got to leave early.
Off to one of the flats, food and then chillin'.

Glass icon painting explanation later.

Day 1

So yesterday, we were met by Monica who walked us off our feet in the sun.
We can now find our way to each of the two flats, the fruit and veg market and the town centre.

The old town (centre) has amazing architecture as you might imagine, with the most obvious thing being that there are very small windows in the roofs which look like eyes.

There is a Salvador Dali exhibition on which we are definitely going to visit and a bit of a culture festival happening. I think we've missed the dancing but not the craftspeople, who will be working and holding workshops during the week and Saturday. I've spied a block of stone ready to be carved so heading that way soon, probably Wednesday as it is a Saint's day and we won't be working.

After our tour, we siesta'd (which they don't seem to do in Romania), then shopped at the market, and supermarket. Produce procured we ate, drank chilled beer and chatted. Feeling very blessed.

Long time away

Yet again, it's been a very long time since my last post.
I now have a little time and a wish to blog.
Putting my thoughts online where you can read if you want
and ignore if so desired.

I'm on a cultural visit to Romania, Sibiu to be precise.
Here I and 4 others will be learning traditional crafts.

So far:
The journey began in Dundee, Scotland at 6:32am on 2nd Aug 2014.
First train journey and I do love a train journey but…..
I had inadvertently stayed out a little too late the night before.
So much of my journey was spent sleeping.
Dundee - Newcastle - London Kings Cross - London St. Pancras - Luton Parkway
Then hanging around airport, plane delayed but by this time I'd met up with friends so all well.
Arrived in Sibiu late and a bit shell shocked but we were met by a lovely lady, Monica and taken to our flats.

more on the flats later.
A lot were built in communist times.

I'm back!

Ah,
A little embarrassed here because I've been away for so long.

There will be a quick catch up, some photos 'n' blurb shortly.
But…..

moleskin sketches - Turkey

From inside 'Sun Cafe'

 

Looking out from Butterfly Valley

Butterfly Valley from the rock bar

Rooftop from balcony of bar

Huts down at 'Billy's Beach'

Looking up at some of OluDeniz

I just loved the tree

Another tree

I found that due to the amount of people around I didn't want to draw anyone. The place itself is beautiful with incredible textures in the mountains.
I wanted to draw more but it's more difficult when with another person.
Also some of the best places to draw from were directly in the sun which made it too uncomfortable for me. In fact, probably dangerous, due to my red hair.
So most of these were completed from undercover while sipping freshly squeezed orange juice or the odd shandy.

finished commission

'Rhona and Luna'

Finally finished this painting, I really enjoyed doing it and learnt a lot. Spent a lot of time trying different ways of making Luna appear furry, successfully I believe.







Now to start a new painting!

I think it's time for a self-portrait. Something I've not done in a while.
I have a vague idea in my head of something that's slightly washed out, pale colours. Not quite there. A transition state, morphing from one thing to another.

dogs 'n' people

The new painting..... Just roughly done so far.

My first try at a dog.