Frequent and unusual visitors...

This morning started with lovely sunshine and a light breeze. Very nice weather for a Sunday... And for those who like to hang out in our garden to enjoy the food that we have actually not put out for them...

Well... First come, first serve...


For the first time since we have moved here, we had a very unusual visitor. One of the numerous pheasants that roam around in our village found his way into our garden. Obviously attracted by the birds seed as well.

I like them very much. They normally walk past our house in large groups. But this one had come all on its own. He wandered over the lawn, pecking here and there, until he decided to hide behind the neighbor's bush... Maybe he had spotted me...

The colors outside are still wintery. Dull browns and grays dominate. But the songbirds have already begun to sing and claim their territories. Spring cannot be far away anymore...

Color or texture?

Today I thought about perception. I made two beads with dots the other day and I wonder which one appeals to you more.

One is completely white. The eye can just see some texture on the surface. Depending on the light the texture seems to change and the white will appear in different hues. (This doesn't really make photography easier...)

The other one was made in my favourite colors, greens and blues.

You will notice instantly that the color adds depth and makes the bead much more interesting. However, the haptic sensation is the same...

Murano/Venice - Last day

So this will be the last day our our journey. We decide to spend most of it in Venice. Again, we are lucky to have another sunny but cold day.

Detail of glass installation on Murano

Our short boat trip takes us to the north of Venice and we do not have to search for long until we find the shop of Maestro Vittorio Constantini. He welcomes us into his studio and invites us to have a look at his fabulous collection of glass insects, fish, birds and other animals that he has created over the last years.

After explaining how he works and which projects he likes the most, the Meastro demonstrates the creation of a butterfly.

 

Graziella and Vittorio Constantini                      photo: Sally Carver

 

We finally leave Vittorio's shop at lunchtime and decide to have some nice pizza.

Our ensuing walk takes us past the Rialto bridge and the market and back again to StMarks Square.

The city is packed with tourists and we spot a lot of the famous carnival masks.

...most pose for the tourists...

...some seem rather busy...

Some masks are absolutely stunning

We are fascinated by the detailed work and skilled craftmanship that these costumes demonstrate.

Eventually we head to the boat station and wait for our "bus" to take us back to Murano.

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Since this is the last evening of our "journey into glass", we are going to spend it together with all the other students in Lucio Bubacco's workshop. Our special guest for tonight is Davide Penso!

This is a great evening and we all agree that this journey was a perfect combination of intense tuition in a wonderful environment! I would like to thank everyone who made this trip possible!

Murano/Venice - Our touristic programme

Today we are going to visit Burano. The little island close to Venice that is known for lace-making and its picturesque colorful houses.

We will not be dissapointed.

Our trip starts at Murano's lighthouse, where colorful ducks of glass greet the travellers.

Some of the markings need repairing...

Soon we approach Burano. The houses are really colorful...

We stroll around and enjoy the wonderful weather. Though it is still freezing cold, the sun allows to take some nice pictures.

One of the little shops specializes in glass bonbons. A nice idea (I bet a dentist would like it).

...I wonder if I can resist those shops...

 

No matter where you look, there is color everywhere...

 

...and many beautiful things to be found...

 

Before we continue our trip, we need to rest and have some unhealthy chips for lunch.

Sally Carver - Caroline Weidman - Nina Atkinson Severini

 

Eventually we leave Burano and head for the beautiful and tranquil island of Torcello. Torcello is a quiet and sparsely populated island at the northern end of the Venetian Lagoon. It is considered the oldest continuously populated region of Venice, and once held the largest population of the Republic of Venice.

We are immediately smitten by the beauty of this little place.

Wonderful, this day could just go on and on.

But finally we decide to go back to Murano and walk through the shops over there.

Installation of glass art in the vicinity of Murano's Lighthouse

 

Detail for a sculpture near the centre

Another lovely day is over and we return to our appartments.

Workshop with Lucio Bubacco - Day 5

The day starts with a look out of the window and onto the canal at Fondamenta Venier: Snow!! Unbelievable, but true. It is so cold that the surface of the canal freezes in some areas.

This day is the last day of teaching in our schedule. It is packed full of techniques, demonstrations and practice.

Satyr by Lucio Bubacco



Large relief bead by Lucio Bubacco

Spider by Lucio Bubacco



Lucio's last demo shows again that the devil is in the detail...
Detail of devil goblet by Lucio Bubacco

This has been a fantastic workshop! We have learned so much and the location can honestly not be topped by anything...

Workshop with Lucio Bubacco - Day 4

Today we only stay in Lucio's Studio for the morning.

In regards to the Carnavale that starts in Venice today, we witness the creation of a harlequin. It is very interesting how different the statue looks compared to the ones that we saw in last couple of days just to the colors of the clothes.

Harlequin by Lucio Bubacco

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We finally head for the "bus" to Venice and spend a wonderful afternoon despite the terribly cold weather.

A look into the shops...
lots of glass!

In a small Gallery near the Rialto-Bridge
we found one of Lucio's beads incorporated
into a fanciful necklace

This has been another fantastic day full of inspiration...

Workshop with Lucio Bubacco - Day 3

This day starts with some practice on the men's torso. Lucio gives us some tricky bits to practice when he demonstrates a centaur. Especially the composition of the body and the correct posture of the legs prove to be a challenge. Inconceivable how detailed such a small statue can get. Just look at the bow and arrow!

Centaur by Lucio Bubacco

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We then take a brake and pay a visit to Pino Signoretti's workshop where we witness the creation of a beautiful piece of art. The sheer size of the glass piece, the heat in the workshop and the forceful movements of the glass workers hovering the piece to and fro the furnace are breathtaking! Especially for bead makers who normally deal with comparatively small pieces of glass.

The sheer size of this piece was unbelievable

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After our return to Lucio's Studio we continue practicing and the meastro does a further demonstration of a goblet.

Unfinished goblet by Lucio Bubacco

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We leave the Studio another time and pay a visit to Davide Salvadore. Before our very eyes the maestro and his team create a beautiful ancient musical intrument. And again, we are blown away by the size of the object and the dynamic of its creation.

Some murrini cane awaiting to be used in the next project

Some of Davide's work - wonderful colors

What a wonderful and overpowering experience!

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Finally we leave Davide's studio and head to the Effetre warehouse. We get a good look at the incredible selection of canes and murrini. Unfortunately the minimum order quantities would not fit our luggage...

Eventually we return to Lucio's studio and practice a little more. The day closes with a nice italian dinner. And while we savour pizza, olives and wine, we enjoy the company of Lucio Bubacco and Davide Salvadore who chatter about their work and lifes.

What an inspiring day!