Weeks Two Through Five

What a time it has been! I have been to Rome, Venice, Assisi, Fiesole, and now Sienna!



I have had the priviledge of completing E. H. Gombrich's history of art book as well as having wonderful and passionate conversations about beauty and art.




As individuals we have sought answers to questions such as: What is beauty?, What is art?, Is there such a thing as christian art?, or Should christians even participate in art?




Some questions have been brought to concensus but, as with most subjects, any answer reveals more questions.




From these photos I hope that you catch a glimpse into the beauty and majesty that has been preserved and cultivated here in Italy. With regards to a brief explanation of some of our discussions, allow me to let Charles Dickens give you a snapshot:

"How much better,'he said at length, 'to shun all such thoughts and chances, and, in the peaceful shelter of the church, devote your lives to Heaven! Infancy, childhood, the prime of life, and old age, whither as rapidly as they crowd upon each other. Think how human dust rolls onward to the tomb, and turning your faces steadily towards that goal, avoid the cloud which takes its rise among the pleasures of the world, and cheats the senses of their votaries. The veil, daughters, the veil!'

"Never sisters,' cried Alice. 'Barter not the light and air of heaven, and the freshness of earth and all the beautiful things which breathe upon t, for the cold cloister and the cell. Nature's own blessings are the proper goods of life, and we may share them sinlessly together. To die is our heavy portion, but, oh, let us die with life about us; when our cold hearts cease to beat, let warm hearts be beating near; let our last look be upon the bounds which God has set to his own bright skies, and not on the stone walls and bars of iron!'
- Charles Dickens : "Nicholas Nickleby" pg. 65-66


- "For Glory and beauty"

Location:Florence, Italy

First Week in Italy

It has been a momentous fee days. I have had the amazing priviledge of seeing some of the greatest pieces of art man has ever expressed. Pictures of these great works have not come close to the experience of standing before them in person.




As a group we have left the busy streets of Rome and moved to the much quieter hills of Tuscany. With our own private villa a complete with church dating back to the 15th century- we have settled in.

This trip has begun to open my eyes to a whole new language of the created order. Form, line, color, space, and composition. These are the tools of an artist. As I cultivate an "eye" for such things I have been drawn in a new way to the Great Artist. Beauty, what a thing to be desired.




God is the root of beauty. To search for beauty is to search for him. To create is to create after Him. I am beginning to see His creation as the work of art that He created it to be. I will keep you updated on how it goes.

- "For glory and beauty!"