17 days

Day 2 of painting on glass, and some corrections to be made from yesterday, scratching away the ink where it was too thick or over lines. Took a little while but definitely made a difference. Ioana added a few bits of ink, mainly around the eyes on my figures but all in all, fine or 'bine'.
Really noticing the difference in concentration needed for this as opposed to the masks although there is more copying involved in the painting and more freestyle design involved in the mask-making.

We all have a little pallet, glass or tile to add the paint to. In this case we're using oils, linseed oil and a dilutent so that the paint will dry quicker.
After the black outlines of yesterday we have moved onto the highlights and shading. Tomorrow will be more exciting because we get to block in large areas of colour, looking forward to that.

So here is my painting at the moment.
Please remember he is back to front.

St. Nicholas

We left fairly early because after that layer of paint is on, there is no more painting til it's had a chance to dry.
Back to flat and a wee chill, loving my kindle.

Off into town with Vik and a wee wander to find a certain artisan shop, which we found. A wander around the squares, Bridge of Lies and some lovely scenery.

Bridge of Lies

and closer

2nd hand shop

There are 2nd hand shops all over but not so easy to spot as this one, usually the signs are small, certainly not like our charity shops.

It is mostly clothes and be prepared to rummage, I've found a couple of pieces so far.




Then a seat and people watching from the restaurant in the big square.
Which starts the next wee tale. Ordered some drinks and tried to order food but the waitress left before I'd finished so went up to find her and make sure order was correct. As far as I knew it was. Vik's food arrived and another plate which consisted of cheese and lots of meat. Not what I ordered, "Pardon", the plate was taken away and eventually after Vik had finished her meal by a bit, mine arrived, which was what I ordered. Patience is a virtue as they say but it would be nice to eat at the same time.

P.S.

shoe alley

I saw this scene through a gate, should have taken a photo of the gate and entrance as well as through the gate but people were giving me odd looks as it was. (doesn't always bother me but today a little)

And I found another door I like…….

sixteen

and on it goes……
a bit of a late-ish start this morning but we made up for it.
The beginning of glass icon painting. I did say at the beginning that I would explain this process in further detail later. This is later.
Glass icon painting is a very ancient tradition that was introduced to Transylvania after it's annexation to the Habsburg empire in 1699. The reason behind it's mass popularity is because of an episode (miraculous event) that occurred in Niculae (village in N Transylvania). In a local church on the 15th February 1694 (some scholars say 1699) tears were seen running down the face of the Blessed Virgin wooden icon, the village became transformed into a centre of pilgrimage because of this event. Where there are people there is often a demand, in this case it was for icon paintings which the pilgrims could take home.
In effect, tourist paintings, but most certainly of a different order.

Here are a few from our trip to the glass icon museum in Sibiul.

Add caption

this is quite a favourite

The museum is nearby a church which is also beautiful to see.

This is the largest collection of icon paintings. I found it very interesting to see the difference between the copies of the same image. These are not 'high art' but painted by normal people for themselves. Because of this there is a very naive style.



Anna and Ioana had prepared the space and the glass before we arrived so all we had to do was choose our image. This was, to be honest, quite difficult due to the religious nature of the images. (We only had a few to choose from). Although it was always going to be a little awkward. The point of the exercise is to learn the process which is fascinating even if it twists my brain somewhat.

beginnings

just started

We practiced for a bit to find a pen we liked and to get used to wiping off the ink. Using dip pen and ink on glass is NOT easy. The paper is so that you can lean on something and not get greasy finger marks on the glass, which does make the ink go horrible.

Also, unless you are above the image it is really difficult to copy the lines because you keep seeing double. Aaugghhh!

Break time, and this is my wee work station. For those who know me, please notice my glasses which I hardly ever wear, I wore them all day.
Lunch over and back to it. Today we have to get the black ink done, let it dry and tomorrow we do the white.

concentrating

more concentration

I didn't take many photos because it's difficult to take time out while concentrating so much. 

Sore on the brain.

There were a lot of growls during this process  and I found that just walking away and stretching helped release the frustration.

black done

 

This is how I left my piece, I will most certainly have to neaten up (scrape) some of the lines and maybe fill in others but I'm quite pleased so far. 

Not expecting miracles but of course I would like to be perfect straight away….. ha ha.

Off back to the flat and a wee rest, the girls came back because there is only internet at our place. Contact with the outside world complete, cooking. eating and bedtime.

Day 15

Sunday, and today I could not be bothered getting out of bed. Definitely a lounging day.
Had a tea and a little breakfast and read a lot, fabulous.

Eventually, I decided to wander into town, not sure what to see but just to wander. Quite busy.
I went through Piata Mare,

Piata Mare

Piata Mica

down Str. Bruckenthal, past Piata Mica and on into Piata Huet.






Saw some gorgeous old houses.

and passed by the journeyman's house,

outside of which is this amazing sculpture/totem.

erected 2004

Not sure how much of it was there at the beginning and how much added later.

I found the bridge of lies and have now been over it but not under it. 

Ha, got to leave something for another day.

Stopped for a lovely pizza in the square and back to the flat and my book.

Day 14

2 weeks…. how did that happen?

After the walk yesterday it was a bit of a lazy start, or we tried to but next door decided to discuss something loudly at 6am this morning as well as a bit of singing by the guy.
Still, quite relaxed morning, postcards sent off, met up with Martin (Grampus Heritage) and got a lift from him to the Astra Museum (http://www.muzeulastra.ro).
15-17th Aug they are holding the 'Festivalul National Al Traditiilor Populare', and we are exhibiting our masks there for the three days. Thanks to Anna and Ioana for setting up our display and looking after it while in traditional costume. Obviously they have their own masks and icon paintings there but very happy to be exhibiting.

We had a little walk around again, had to eat, and then strolled back and bought a few lovely items. There were so many beautiful things for sale but the ones I'd really like are too expensive and too big to go in the case. Ach well, c'est la vie.

naive sculpture

apple press

These are a few of the things seen, I think I mentioned the sculptures in an earlier post, still more I haven't shown.

I'm sure the sign said apple press but possibly could be for other fruits too.

Still haven't seen all the different buildings so a third visit is in order but it will be when there are no other places to be or people to meet. 

This little tree hut looked very cute, not sure it's exact purpose but blends in well with the trees. 

There were lots of buildings up into the trees but haven't made it to them all to check them out properly.

Love the shade of green here as well.

 One of the smaller houses, we were up the steps and onto the balcony, quick as you like, then peace descended. Very small but cosy and cool behind the vines. Couldn't get into the room or see in, which was a shame.

As you may have noticed the last lot of doors, I do like them so here's another one.

There is a great deal of charm when building, doors, windows, etc, are made to fit but in a slightly higgledy piggledy way. Totally original, unique and made by hand.

The traditional crafts we saw have this beauty as well, hand-made things have love built in.




So, back onto the path and I bought some lovely carved spoons from a guy who'd we'd stopped at previously. He'd explained the symbolism behind the different designs and even written them out in english. Thee had been some just as nice and occasionally better but I think he deserved the trade for his time and manner.

piper

This guy could play all the instruments he'd made, lovely sound and yes they are like bagpipes.

Looking smart

Then there were a few drops of rain and we helped pack the masks away and got a lift home which was perfect.

Off out in a few minutes, into town to meet up with Martin and Monica again.

Had a lovely meal out just off the big square and plenty laughs. Caught a little of the opera, The Barber of Seville which was being performed in Piata mare. Here it is backstage right.

2nd Friday or day 13

Mountain day… today we got packed lunches together and off down to the pink house we went. It had rained last night so it was a little cooler. All into the red mini bus and off up to  Balea Lac - Transfagarasan. Balea Lac is a glacier lake at 2,034m in the Fagaras Mountains in central Romania, in Sibiu County.The journey was fine up until we got to the mist, and boy I really mean mist. All the way up the incredibly windy road as it climbed higher and higher there was white instead of a view. It did become quite scary sometimes because it was like looking out onto nothing but also knowing there was a really BIG drop.

photo from internet because too misty

We stopped at a place where you can see a waterfall (if there's no mist), lots of tourist shacks and very busy. This was also the place to get the cable car up to Balea Lac.

Here it is almost arriving.
So… a few of us decided to walk up to the next lake, which we were told was an easy walk. (hmmm?)
Very glad I did though, the views were the best I've seen in a long time.

Looking down onto our drop off point

further up

This pathway, well, there was a kind of path but I'm glad our driver, Mario, lent me a stick to go with. It came invaluable for balance and a wee helping hand here and there.

Kyna at the top

There were higher spots but it was the top of the path and it led to the other lake. 

Of course we had to check it out.

To the other lake

Kyna and Megan braved the cold and plunged in.





Quite the most incredible views, I would love to come back but better prepared with tent, proper walking gear and explore the mountains much more. we did see people camping at the 2nd lake which Is called Capra Lac.

On the way up and back down we stopped for photo opportunities, otherwise known as a rest. It was an odd feeling being able to see so clearly (apart from the mist of course), the far mountains appeared distant and near at the same time. A strange perspective of being big and incredibly small too.

far mountains

the shepherd

As we walked up the hill the sheep were coming down from one mountain and we met them as they moved across the path. Some very cute sheep, none of the large, overbred breeds we see.

The shepherd had a few dogs and himself to control the sheep. Very clever.

And… down.
A wee feed, trip to the facilities for a comfort break and back off home.
Before that we had to have a photo.

and…..12

So, I'm sure you are now all getting the gist of these titles. It is now Thursday and we have been finishing masks. Tomorrow there is going to be an exhibition (kind of) of all the professional makers work at the Astra Museum where the students presented their work.
WE….. get to show our masks as well, really chuffed! it's quite an honour really because these folk have been producing traditional pieces for years and we've just arrived.

Today,
I finished my small mask, had so much fun doing it, possibly because it was so small and easier to complete each piece of the face. Anyway, a great day but too hot, we were, as Kyna puts it, 'leaking', a completely fair description of our state of affairs. A problem that we didn't anticipate was that our hands  were so sweaty it was difficult to keep sewing, had to keep washing our hands to cool down. We persevered.
Here is my small mask:

To give you an idea of size… it's about 23cm high and as you can see, not much different wide.

After lunch, back to the finishing and Vik and Esme were finished their 3rd mask and went off to do other stuff. I decided to stay, partly to keep the girls company and partly because Vik had spotted, and Anna had shown me this very wee mask.

So of course i decided to copy and make my own, really enjoyed it. So lovely to just make things without having an agenda.
Not quite the same but along the same lines. I think I'm going to be making some more on my return to Scotland.

My wee man

The consensus was to eat together, thank you Vik for cooking, and we had a lovely evening eating, listening to some music and chatting.

Day eleven

Another day of ….. wait for it… wait for it.
Masks!

modeling and making

We're all getting faster at sewing and making those incredibly important decisions: what colour material will I use?, or how big do I want my nose? and many others equally worth deep discussion and debate.

Actually, funnies aside, we do discuss much of the creativity decisions with each other, even if we kind of know the answer already.

So much easier to work with others around you doing the same.

Today my 3rd mask was finished.

 here she is.

I must say that wearing them for the photos is incredibly hot and I can see how they would be excellent to wear on 31st Dec.

Today we had an extra treat because Anna showed us how to make a traditional recipe (we helped a little). It included aubergines, onions, home-made mayonnaise, seasoning of course and a lot of smushing of the barbecued aubergine. We had it with bread and tomatoes. Very tasty.

After our second lunch, I played around with a wee mask, lots of fun… I reckon it needs a big nose but we shall see.








The others all went off to the salt lakes (used to be a  salt mine but know filled with water and facilities provided) Looking forward to going there myself but was needing to do other things today.
I managed to get another key cut for the flat as well as a security thingamebob which lets you in the outer door. As well as a new pair of sunglasses and a new nose ring. I then went into the centre, had a seat in the square and wrote my postcards.

just a lovely door

In the places I've been in Romania there are lots of lovely doors. Here are a few of the ones I saw on my way to the Piata Mara.

wish I'd caught this earlier

wee door

Another shower was needed after I got home…… whew!