Rome Residency – first two weeks

My initial thoughts were to spend the residency researching tiles and ceilings in Rome – the sense of the city about me has instead taken me to interpreting surfaces that present themselves daily – the cobblestones on my walk through Trastevere to c.r.e.t.a.; ruins of columns, arches and sculptures; trees and buildings – there is enough for many lifetimes of work. Beginning is daunting, but I have.

I share a space near the Capitoline Hill with my friend Debra and another sculptor Nuala Creed at c.r.e.t.a. We have formed a good daily routine, mostly quietly working accompanied by Italian radio that reminds me of what our CBC FM station was many years before our cuts.

I’ve taken photographs, and am using them to form images on my tiles that are not large, approximately a foot square. With one bisque behind me, I’ve started painting the surfaces, so hopefully will have some results by the end of this week.

My working routine was rudely interrupted by a cold that many Romans seem to share, but I recovered just in time to spend a few days with friends from London, looking at sites I have been meaning to see. It was wonderful, but am feeling pressured to get some better work completed….