Half way through the residency and the three of us are organizing our bisque and glaze firings. Our works are so different from each other and they take different sorts of space, so it does require maneuvering.  Paolo, co-director and ceramic artist himself, has been very helpful with the firings and most  generous with his assistance.  It is especially nice for us when he has some time to do his own work while in the studio.  Lori-Ann and he have a busy schedule with teaching classes in the studio as well as presenting lectures to other organizations for c.r.e.t.a. Rome.

Paola and Lori-Ann arranged for dinner with the three of us the other evening, taking us to a part of Rome we hadn’t been to before by car. We had the experience of driving in Roman traffic (reminded me very much of New Delhi) – cars taking up every inch of space and drivers maneuvering assertively without too much use of the horn, but lots of verbal and hand expressions. It seems there is a pattern to how they get about, but it is difficult for the non-driver (especially non-Roman driver) to see. We had a lovely evening in their company before we were back at it the next day.

 (click on image to enlarge)

end of day warmth on walls

the forum view from the Capitoline

Teatro di Marcello

a rainy Piazza Navona

detail of buttresses of Teatro di Marcello

Paulo working

tile 2 of cobblestones

Debra and Nuala putting the salesman through his paces