Mamore Waterfalls, built by the Romans

 

Okay, so I have never seen a huge waterfall before, so this is great!  What is greater is that it is man made and is "turned on" and "off" for the morning time only, built by the Romans to operate as needed.  Built in 271 BC

 

There are multiple paths around and upward.  Around every bend is a different photo opportunity. 

 

 

Of course the higher and closer you go, the wetter you get.  And there is a cooling wind by them force of the water itself.

 

 

The top height feet is 541.  There are many sub sections and movements working their way down, including an area for a short distance rafting. 

 

I was exhausted reaching up so high as to look back down where my photos began.  I got off trail returning back and ended up in what seemed like the belly of area, with high rock formations and dense green around me, and now close enough to the rafters.  I did not take much time, but to hurry my way back to familiarity.

Roman Ruins

Roman ruins are not complete without a freestanding arch or two...

 

 

As many as I have seen, I am always in awe that such a structure was not only built in it's time, but with the efficiency and effort that we can no longer match.

 

These ruins were unique to me as they were set way back off the road, woods grown up around them, and very uncommercial. 

 

 

There were two archaeological digs in progress, both were uncovering additional Roman roads.  These two gentlemen were working on their own, and a college group was work at the other.  Thankfully one spoke English and was kind enough to answer some questions about the ruins.

This section was up and over a hill, out of view, if you did not continue on the path. 

 

 

I thought this was the end, and started back, noticing  people in a lower section to the back.

This was some type of burial area.  It was a little creepy for me, as I like to be respectful of where I tread, but it was difficult to tell what was what.

 

So here I find an open tomb...and yes, I finally got the nerve to check out the open end.  I did not desire to get too close, so I just stuck my camera in the end and "flash"

All I can say is that I did not see anything worth reporting, but the film did have an odd blur that looked like an eye....

Tarquinia

 

This is mostly funerary, along with evidence of every day living. 

 

I wish I could have taken photos, as some of the work was quite extravagant in details, but alas, I am attracted to the stone work.

 

I am always most facinated with architectural graveyards, a place where unclaimed, repetitive, or  pieces to far gone are gathered into one place.  To imagine making the decisions of what is relevant and what is not, just to many, or out of room, as they gather to the side.  I find these when I can and photograph them.  It might be related to my tendency to hoard, the fact that they can never be truly discarded attracts me.

 

 

There are two type of these, half chiseled from stone, and the better detailed ones are clay.  Imagine the death of a person and having to quickly create a resting place.  Or are these made in advance?....

 

 

The Gardens of Niki de Saint Phalle

There are names for each sculpture in this garden by Saint Phalle, but due to my limited time and connection, I wanted to get pictures posted since this is such a visual experience.  I took around 150 photos and still did not photograph everything.  It was truly overwhelming! 

 

 

You will see parts of this, climbing up the hill.  The closer you get the more comes into focus.  From standing in this spot, this is only one half of the total view.

 

 

Most of the large pieces seem to interact or be connected artistically, but then there are these smaller pieces tucked in and about.  This dragon is mostly green mirror mosaics.

 

 

The women portrayed, both the obvious and seriously abstract are always full figured.

 

 

This set of lovers (it seems) are tucked back into the nature areas behind the main sculptures and are surrounded by various trees, paths, and faux stone couches and benches for visitors.

 

 

 

I cannot do just to the sizes.  These large pieces are multiple stories high.  Some with limited access, some roped off.  They are difficult to manuever with low sides, limited rails, and the ever present illusions created by patterns, colors, and especially the reflecting mirrors - making you question where the boundaries actually exist.

 

 

 This was a favorite area for the kids, but I loved it also, but so many people, it was hard to relax for a moment.  The center is women in a wading pool, spouting water.  The surrounding area is multiple columns, no two the same in shape or tile. 



 

 

Some of these tiles, surrounding the wading women, is everything from hand made or custom tiles to the extravagant Millefiori pieces, seen on the far left.

 

 

 

All the oversized sculptures had hidden sculptures or rooms inside.  This particular one was a house, complete with a large dinning area as seen.  All the walls inside were mirrored and you were never positive where the walls were as opposed to a reflection.

 

 

 

These were chairs off to the side.  Many of the seating areas were hard to photograph as people were constantly enjoying them or taking children photos of their little ones climbing on.

 

 

Some sections were obvious in their symbolisms and such, but many were just seriously fun and playful with no evident purpose, but the occassional headache from sorting the visual lines.

 

 



 

By the end of the short visit, I had photographed every aspect I could, crawled through openings, ventured stairs questionable for any age, and analyzed different aspects and possible meanings.  In the end, the most obvious for me was the amount of mosaics used, the man power to build it all, and the freedom to play.

Vallo di Nera-scheggino

This was a sad day for me.  This was one of the smallest places we have visited.  They were destroyed by an earthquake and have rebuilt.  I chose to get more personal with these pictures, photographing people and more of personal life, but in my rush to transfer the photos, I accidently deleted half of them before the transfer was complete. So this sampling does not do justice.  Note to self: wait for the transfer to complete.

 

 

Looking up for a lower ledge.  This was a Sunday afternoon, and people were visiting, dressed nice and enjoying the casual afternoon.

 

 

 

This little church is not listed, and I don't recall the name on the exterior, but it is so small, like a single room of a cottage.  It was covered in a grid and dark inside, no access.  I had to put the camera through the bars to get the light needed for the picture.  You can see some remnants of frescoes in this little place.

 

 

 

I think this is similiar to Heather.  I stepped off the path to reach the only one of it's kind around.  There were two different pairs enjoying the blossoms, unaware we were there.

 

This set is made up of 4 different plates from photographs I took during our city visits.  Ther are about 25 different variations I made using solar plates, chine colle, and other various combinations and colors.  Not every piece is a favorite, but lots of wonderful surprises, aha! moments, and sharing skills.  I am glad I took the time to attend this retreat created by Flatbed Press in Austin.  I am hoping I can share these techniques when I return!

 

 

 

 

Just a reminder, we are working hard here.  The breakfast bell is around 7 am, but most of our small group is up exploring, drawing, taking pictures, or jogging.  After a full breakfast we have about 1hour of time, to prepare for the day, excursions, supplies, etc. Sometimes we can squeeze in some extra work when desired.

 

Then our day is going full force.  Every single day is a work day, half the group in printing, the other half in drawing.  We do ride the bus to nearby cities, but these are small trips, sometimes only 15 minutes away.  We use this time to expand our work with photos, drawings, and such.

 

Most of the time, our day ends around 9 or 10, but sometimes it is hard to stop when you are on a roll, and we are allowed to work as often and whenever we like, so I have participated in such a frenzy a few times.

Orvieto

Fresh veggies are the norm, most anywhere in the Umbrian region

 

I saw this church from a distance off to the side, and abandoned the main road to search it out.  It was well worth it.  It's unusual stripes both inside and out sets it apart.  

 

 

While the rest of the building is in stripes, the front has no evidence, but was wildly beautiful, more so than the interior (while it was still great). 

 

I would show more photos, but we keep dragging on the limited access here, shared by everyone, every evening.

 

 

 

 

 

Spoleto

 

We stopped at a church before entering the city.  As with so many of these churches in the area, are quite extravagant, beautiful, and artistic.  In some cases they can be even gaudy, depending on your eye and your taste.  None the less, to imagine the work invested into each piece and element is beyond comprehension, especially knowing their time frames. 

80 x 230 meters, I believe that is around 17 stories high???

 

We crossed over, but I felt uncomfortable at the edge.  I could only look directly down once, and my heart skipped a beat.  Thank goodness it was a thick wall.  This was the only place I have seen grafitti, unfortunately nothing escapes it.

 

 

 

 

 This was the little market, where I purchased a tiny bottle of two Truffles.  Now I know nothing of truffles, but this town was the place to get them.  Once the elderly gentlman realized this, he recited his recipe in broken English with such enthusiasm, I assured him I would follow his directions.  Of course I know he understood nothing I said either, and was assured only by my smile and a thankyou, my version of it in Italian/Texan style.

 

 

Todi, legend claims built by Hercules

 

This town had great linen shops, nice people, and a wonderful view.  I found this church unusual since it seems to sit slightly askew coming up the major walkway.  As most churches, photos not allowed, but there was a wall piece I so want to draw!  I must find the image.

 

 

This tree, center stage is the oldest cedar of it's kind, keep in mind that the base of the tree is well below the surface here, on the side of the hill.

 

 

 

While every little city we visit has great views, this one was outstanding, for distance and variety.

 



Work at LaRomita

Our days begin early, with the freedom to explore the grounds or set up our studio space for the day, before breakfast. 

Breakfast, like all our meals is a full array, and it is important (to me) to try something different each meal, if not a little of everything. I am not worried over the food as it is organic, delicious, and there are enough stairs and steps around here, that I am sure I have dropped a pound or two.  I have stairs to my second floor room, steps into the church, stairs down to lower level to develop my printing plates, and then more steps down to the press.  While that is not many steps in all, it is when carrying supplies and the multiple trips for the supplies I keep forgetting. 

This is a run from my second plate created, the first I struggled with and may revisit later.  I have 4 plates in this series, and have created a couple of other plates with an entirely different feel.  Of course I collected a couple of photos today for another idea.  There is not much time left, and I switch to the drawing group.  While I will still be allowed to pursue the press, it will be on my own time, most likely late at night.

Gardens of LaRomita

 As I went searching for plants, there were numerous, yet to be identified.

 

The gardens are the most beautiful here.  Wild and planted, natural and tended.  The gardener's wife is the head chef, so much of our foods are from the local garden, if not here, then still local in this part of Italy.

 

Window boxes, planters, and wild growings straight from the stone flourish.  The vegetable gardens are tucked away and can be seen off and on in small patches as you look down the hill, on various terraces and homes.

 

 

Oleanders are everywhere, overlooking the town.