by Ella Yang
I thought I was the victim of yet another Internet hoax. It was a hot, dusty afternoon in Todi, Italy, a tiny hilltop medieval town. I sat slumped on my luggage at the corner of a small square after a long sleepless flight from New York City. Thanks to delayed flights, I had missed the school’s bus, scheduled to pick up arriving students at Rome Airport, and had found my own way to Todi via regional buses. I left messages at the phone numbers that were listed in the bright green “School Fact Book”, which came after I mailed a check a few months ago to some town I could not find on the map… Montecastello? The townspeople stared openly (not many Asians come through, I suppose). I began to think about checking into the nearest pensione and maybe after a good night’s rest, I’d figure out how to go back home.
Almost 20 years before, I had graduated from a liberal arts college with a major in Architecture, which I thought was a “practical” application of the drawing and painting I loved. I ended up getting a Masters in Business Administration (even more practical) and careened off onto a successful career path in business working mainly with large financial institutions. Over the years, I took several evening continuing education art courses offered in my community. They were never satisfying, especially after a long day at the office. Five years ago, I opened and ran a “paint-it-yourself” pottery business. I knew I had to become more involved in something creative, but this was not the answer. When I closed up shop, I decided to reward myself with something I had dreamed about for over 20 years, an art course in Italy. An Internet search had led me to Todi.
Suddenly a small blue van swept around a corner, the door flew open and a young woman shouted, “Are you Ella?” I was found! And, a much bigger discovery was about to begin.
The three weeks I spent in the CE program were intense: physically demanding (it’s hard to paint for three hours out in the hot sun after a big glass of local red wine and an overflowing bowl of scrumptious pasta), and mentally filling, as well as challenging. My classmates came with different experiences and expectations, but we quickly adopted the daily routine, found buddies, and focused on each day’s work. Drawing from the model half the day and painting the landscape outdoors the other half-day were a wonderful combination. I had never painted the landscape before. What a revelation! Drawing considerations that had never occurred to me with the figure became relevant to my painting. The level of instruction far surpassed any that I had experienced before. I learned to look at things more critically and in new ways. The teachers took their jobs seriously, invested time and energy in each student individually.
In addition to the enriching art classes, it was impossible not to be inspired by the awesome, gorgeous scenery surrounding us, and the day-trips we made as a class to Rome, Florence and Ravenna. The light in Umbria is unique, almost dreamy. Our accommodations were clean and comfortable, and even offered terraces with views to paint of the valley below. And, much to our surprise, a classmate and I had the ultimate small-town pleasure of being invited to lunch with a local family who saw us painting the view from their alley. This followed, of course, a long discourse about each of our paintings (in Italian, which neither of us understood, but the gestures and smiles were easy to read – much praise and encouragement!). “Bella, bella!” Clearly, artists were not only to be tolerated, but welcomed by the community.
At the end of three weeks, I was full of new ideas about drawing and painting. Composition, color combinations, the picture plane, light versus dark, brushstrokes (“Not all in the same direction, you’re not painting a wall!”). It was all just starting to make sense. The CE program opened my mind and spirit to the real possibilities of art making. Not only did the program validate and nurture my long-buried interest, I was able to dedicate many entire, productive (and often frustrating) days to art making. Best of all, the program introduced me to active artists, the instructors and administrators, who have made their artwork an integral part of their lives.
I looked into staying another three weeks! But, my life back in New York beckoned. When I got home, I spent the fall of 2001 painting full-time. I now have a part-time job, and am committed to spending as much time as possible on my artwork.
While my experience is not necessarily the desired outcome of every student, it reflects the seriousness of the CE program. If you really want to learn, be pushed to grow as an artist in a beautiful setting, then sign up NOW for one of the three week sessions this year!
Ella Yang
Brooklyn, New York
November 2002
Paintings by Ella Yang from her site
Chiesa S. Prassede Todi
Tevere River Castiglione
Todi Down Porta Perugina
Todi hillside monastery
Top of the Castello Castiglione