First Day of Class

I will be teaching several one and two day workshops in July

ginaceramics
Vividly, I remember my first day painting at the Scuola d' Arte Ceramica in Deruta, Italy

I painted the tile you see above on my second day of instructions

This is "my" desk at the Scuola

This tile was my first assignment.  After a few hours of painting, Professor Nicola Boccini decided that I could move on to a more difficult pattern.  This is the way the school tests your level of expertise. 

I've painted at this fantastic school several times.  Students walk in and out all day.  They are encouraged to paint when they can.  Always, the most revered Maestro, Romano Ranieri, is painting while keeping an eye on every student.  He graciously offers his help whenever needed. 

The Maestro gave me this beautiful book which contains many of his important works. 

Forever I will cherish the lovely message he wrote. 

And now you're in for a treat 

Maestro Romano Ranieri, Deruta, Italy

Maestro Romano Ranieri

Maestro Romano Ranieri

Maestro Romano Ranieri

Maestro Romano Ranieri

Maestro Romano Ranieri

Maestro Romano Ranieri

All of the above Maestro Romano Ranieri

Thank You Maestro Ranieri and Professor Boccini. 

See you in September

Gina

Isn't Spring the perfect time to celebrate Mother's Day!

Spring is the perfect time to celebrate Mother's Day

So many beautiful flowers to give and so many beautiful flowers to receive

Happy Mother's Day my dear blogging Friends

Gina

I'm painting for a good cause

Every Year, at the end of May, Spring City celebrates

Heritage Days

See last year http://ginaceramics.blogspot.com/2010/05/celebration.html

Our entire town is open to visitors. Many historic homes are open to the public.

Visitors come from far and wide

I donate part of my proceeds to the Old School Renovation Fund

This year I have decided to keep things light and inexpensive

Small trays for dipping bread in olive oil,  bowls, plates...

practical things.

Each dish is hand painted and all have different designs, yet they are still very affordable

Of course, I will also be selling my signature tiles and large ornamental plates, bowls, urns  and platters

When I was last at the "Scuola d' Arte Ceramica" in Deruta Italy,

the most revered Maestro, Romano Ranieri,  spent the day with me, teaching me the finer points of Maiolica painting. 

Maestro Ranieri painted the fruit you see on the left.  He then handed me the plate with instructions to paint the same design to the right.  He was surprised that I didn't follow instructions to the "T".   Yet he smiled at me with approval.

And this is the work of Maestro Romano Ranieri

I will be visiting the Maestro and Professor Nicola Boccini this September.

Gina

Der Misthaufen

You have to have good dirt, Chickens and aged Grass Clippings 

And then you can have flowers

And here it is ( I know, you can't stand the excitement).

Ladies and Gentlemen, on your left you see what the chickens donate, next to it, good clean dirt and then the grass clippings, well aged over the winter 

And here is the man and his dog making it all happen

Precious Sweet Peas from England, ready to plant

I don't have many flowers yet but these Hellebore and these Jonquils think nothing of sharing their dirt with Misthaufen gold

Gina

Tickets are purchased

Reserved our favorite seats to Paris,

at the bulkhead, on the right

Then heading straight to Germany, Austria and then over the Alps to my beloved Italy

Beauty along the way

Every opportunity taken for more flowers

There will be a castle or two to stay in

A Palladian Villa to visit near Vicenza

Young people meeting after Church in northern Italy

Colorful Inns just across the Alps serving breakfasts to last all day

A town square or two, the fellow flailing his arms is Gene enjoying Vicenza

More opportunities for flowers

It's so tempting

Gina

A friend stopped by

Right in the middle of a long computer glitsch session

Karen brought Tulips from her garden, Biscotti cookies she baked yesterday, Choke Cherry Preserves  (hers are the most delicious) and Parsnip seeds for my garden.

Wishing you a good friend, just when you need one.

Have a great weekend, my dear  blogging friends

Gina