The Heart is a Lonely Hunter

   Perhaps it is the large dose of vitamin D I am finally getting, but my week has started off quite wonderfully. In the past two days I have spent a lot of time wandering around the city in the sun, sketching various scenes. This city really is picturesque, and I am filling my brand new sketchbook with many delightful drawings. I had my ego handed to me on a plate last week when one of my drawing professors very simply told me I was drawing incorrectly. I admit I can be slightly arrogant when it comes to my crafts- drawing, painting and dance. Suddenly I had the rug pulled out from under me, and since then I have been contemplating my whole foundation of art. I have been trying this new strategy of sketching, where I only use pen, and I draw very quickly and loosely. Apparently I was focusing too much on detail and complexity. I shall attempt to remain open and adaptable...

Some scribbly samples...

La Piazza Della Repubblica 

Ponte Vecchio

Ponte San Trinita

Galleria dell'Accademia

I am starting to appreciate my long afternoons of solitude. Yesterday after my early class, I went to the Museo della Specola. I admit I was skeptical, because I was told it was a museum full of taxidermy. I was picturing the janitor from Scrubs with his army of stuffed squirrels. I was pleasantly surprised by a huge zoological exhibit, and another whole wing for anatomical wax sculptures. The first part is devoted to countless cases of every kind of animal you can imagine. There were three whole rooms devoted just to birds! It was actually really amazing, and I wandered around for hours, sketching of course!

There was also a fascinating wax anatomy exhibit, which I found absolutely amazing! 

This weekend I am taking a trip to Rome to see Kelly, Colleen and other friends from SLU that are visiting from France. I am sure to have many adventures and stories to report upon my return!