Saturday, October 2, 2010

The Art of Grottesca

Carolina d'Ayala Valva photo
Grotesque-is defined as the decorative art of combining human and animal forms with scrollwork and foliage. Like stringing pearls- urns, acanthus leaves, cherubs and other fanciful designs are stacked in a linear design or expanded horizontally knitted together through scrollwork. The work of Carolina d'Ayala Valva is synonymous with grottesca...  and her vibrant colors are achieved through the use of egg tempera paint.



Carolina d'Ayala Valva 
Carolina was born in Italy, but grew up in Brazil. She eventually ended up back in Italy where she and husband Valter Cipriani have an atelier,  L'Artelier, located in the center of Rome.



Carolina d'Ayala Valva photo
Can't make it to Rome? Carolina will teach an intense four day workshop at Vigini Studios in San Antonio Nov. 8-11. Nicola and Leslie Vigini are opening their studio for this wonderful event!


Carolina d'Ayala Valva photo
Her attention to detailed shading and use of layered tempera takes her work to a master level.


d'Ayala photo

Carolina's work is now available in book form!



She will be signing copies the night before the workshop begins.


Art+Works photo
A timeless technique, this is a detail from an arabesque done by 18th c artist Giovanni Volpato.



...and others carry on the tradition..Mario Bresciani  of Brescia, Italy is shown building the layers of paint to create the luminous finish.
 I will be attending Carolina's workshop in November and hope to bring back some of the knowledge these masters hold in their hands!  A few slots are left for the workshop....want to join me?

10 comments:

Unknown said...

Theresa--I would love to join you! However, I am stuck in little ole Ohio and won't be doing much traveling for the next year. Please, please keep us posted. I will have to live vicariously through you for this one...

patrickgracewood said...

Theresa, pay no attention to those little birds on your shoulder-whose tails morph into flowers,leaves, and arabesque lines.(not so little birds?)
That will be all of us who cant make it to the workshop but want you to tell us all about it!

Anonymous said...

If there's a way I will be there..... hard to say right now! Either way I will be there in spirit.

Theresa Cheek said...

Uhmmm... Anon....want to share who you are?

Shandell's said...

Would love to come, but I cannot. Is there a way to get a sign copy of her fabulous book?

Theresa Cheek said...

Susan,
Of course, for you!! E-mail me.

artlvr123@gmail.com

Homsechooling mum said...

I Love this!!!!

Karena said...

Theresa thank you for featuring Carolina's works of art I so wish I could be there!!

Karena
Art by Karena

(IN)DECOROUS TASTE said...

If I were going to be anywhere near San Antonio, I would BE THERE! Those grotesques are gorgeous. I can't wait to see what you create...

Thanks for the well- wishes, too.

Lauren

Jerry said...

Where can you get the book?

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