The David...

So I am at the Academia museum that houses the famous statue of David and here's what I feel:

Standing, sitting, laying down or whatever, the David is so beautiful. I have never understood how a piece of art could make someone cry, but now I do as a few trickle down my face. From every angle he's beautiful; I want to touch David as a person, to know him to hear a voice. Not even his confident but concerned gaze as he looks outward is the focal point of my eyes. It is the tenderness of the pelvis as it folds in with softness, the way the ligaments on the left leg pull, the very way the muscle itself lay over the bone. Say it is a slight obsession or lust, but love for art, for humanity that comes from my ability to love another man, being the person I am. I know what its like to feel a body, to run my fingers over skin. The David is perfect. One hour of looking is not nearly enough.

Looking out over the city of Florence from the top of the Duomo is abosutely amazing. The red terracotta roofs expand and gently fuse with the bright blue sky. 436 steps. No lifts. ugh. But it was so worth it. Yesterday we also went to a beautiful garden overlooking the city from the south end. It really made me quite homesick being in a garden, sitting on grass for the first time in ages it feels like. As I finished a sketch, I was feeling nostolgic and really just wanted to have dinner and go for a walk by the river at night, I passed a street vendor making balloon animals. In his hand he had a butterfly on a long balloon. He was gently fluttering it about in front of him as I passed, Ipod in hand. It was so perfect. I hope he seen the big smile I had on my face as I passed him, because his simple gesture made all the difference for me.

UGH the rain!

Well our class is on our second day in Florence and its been raining the last few days. We've sorta been put in an apartment together, and all we need is a few cameras because the dramas just starting. Our stay in Venice was fabulous. Becky and I got lost in the city at night the first night we were there. Just to hear the people speak Italian all around you is somewhat un-nerving but very invigorating. The food is so delicious as well, and everyone dresses up all the time...I love it! My back, feet and head already hurts and we haven't even really begun to look at paintings yet. The cities are cramped, beautiful and I feel just as safe as if I were in Waterloo. Here at SACI, an art school we are staying here through, we have our first available link with computers and internet, so sometimes its tough but not really. I mean, come on, the buildings are so colorful and the food is wonderful, the people beautiful and the experience of Europe really is going well. What have I bought so far? A tie. Until then, Chaio!