Art and Song in Siena

At Vetrate Artistiche Toscane - a stained glass studio in the heart of Siena

This visit to the stained glass factory reminded me of my very unsuccessful attempt of making a stained glass box during Brit Lit in high school. I remember the teacher, for some strange reason, thought that we would appreciate and grow to understand British culture more (um, I still fail to understand the project's intention almost 20 years later). Anyway, all I remember is the countless weeks and hours I spent soldering that stupid box and how my stained box looked so ugly compared to some of my classmates projects that turned out so nice. What I do recall is that the teacher graded us on the final outcome or appearance of the project. . . You know, I'm not an artist -- with my repeated art failures in life (never finishing projects in Ms. Wong's Arts and Crafts class, I think I got a B+ in that class, I drove her crazy) and taking Beginning Drawing Pass/No Pass in college (because I KNEW I would not get an A...).

Anyway, this visit did evoke some memories -- but also I saw some people who enjoyed their work and did a fantastic job. The brothers, Massimo and Gianni have been commissioned to do work for clients all around the world. It's amazing what they can do.

Artist's studio

Trying to get as much of the library as possible

The Three Graces

Inside the Duomo, the Piccolomini Library

I have been inside this library several times and I am always awestruck by it. I told my mom, because she has a love of music, that she had to go inside it. There are huge music sheets (in Latin?) -- so I took some photos of her next to them. Also, there are the Three Graces (a copy). The ceiling is painted in such vibrant colors. It's such a contrast to the dim marble of the Duomo -- if you ever visit Siena, you must go inside the Library!