Day 98: Take Two–
This one was the 2nd painting of the day. The 1st one never quite got finished.
Via Monte Testaccio8×6″Oil on Panel© Kelly Medford, 2012I relocated to this street after having found myself in the middle of a temporary stage that was being dismantled. I had taken shelter from the sun on it to paint, thinking I had found the perfect spot. Almost, but not quite.This spot was better anyway! This enormous oleander came with sound effects; clucking hens and crowing roosters which I’m assuming lived right behind it.This neighborhood known as Testaccio is just across the river from the more well known Trastevere. One of the most unique parts of it (besides the chickens) is that it has its own “mountain” right in the middle of everything. It’s larger than a hill but smaller than a mountain and it was made during ancient Roman times.This hill, now perfectly grown over with tall grass and large trees and with buildings perched precariously along the lower half, was once a dump for ceramic amphorae that were broken or no longer in use. I’m not really sure if they had a plan of what to do with the mountain of pottery shards during ancient Roman times, but now it provides a varied landscape in town and more importantly loads of artifacts and information about what everyday life was like during ancient Roman times.You can buy today’s painting here from my website for $120Thanks for following the 120 Day Project!