Walking Around Dresden, September 21, 2016

Today was beautiful in Dresden. Sunny, clear and in the mid 70's. This morning we had a walking tour of where I live, the area known as AulBer Neustadt, we also walked around the Old Town and on the Augustusbucke over the Elbe River to the City Center. Our tour guide was Suzanna, who was full of interesting facts and could answer any of our questions.  

This is part of a courtyard who's walls are decorated to represent the elements. 

Everywhere you look you see painted walls, posters, tiles or tagging/graffiti areas.

Today we had a little introduction to this area that I hope to explore in depth this Saturday. 

After the tour I caught up on paper work and then gather plants to take to the studio this Friday. I am very excited about finally having my first full day in the studio. 

Steps:  17467

Studio, Studio, Studio! September 20, 2016

Today was the day to see my second Dresden home. We arrived at the Grafikwerkstatt around 9:30am (3:30 am Cleveland) after a very easy tram ride into the Striesen area. The tramway, actually all of the public transportation systems are very easy. The trams themselves are clean and easy to understand. The most interesting part is that it is run on a trust system. We purchased a monthly pass for 59 euros. You stamp your ticket when you first get on the tram and that is it. Periodically someone may come up to you and ask to see your pass, but it has not happened yet. Also my pass is good for the bus, ferry and train. I can use it as many times as I like in a day. 

The building of the Grafikwerstatt Dresden...originally the "Ernemann Building”, later known as the “Zeiss Ikon Factory.

The studio...it is a beautiful, clean work of art. Peter, Torsten and Udo run the shop. Each with their one areas of interest.

Udo: Letterpress and Hand-typesetting

Torsten: Etching/Intaglio

Peter: Lithography/Algraphy plates.

This is Peter with Dora (the artist in resident from Greece

We start our day at the studio with a  tour and then a lovely tea/breakfast. Tea is at 10:00am everyday and then tea/lunch is at 1:00pm. I can't stress how impressed I am with the organization of the shop.  Everything has a place. Every inch clean and beautiful. 

I am so excited to start working at the studio. My next two days are chopped up with a city tour Wednesday morning and Thursday installing my work for the group exhibition at the Alte Feuerwache Loschwitz. So Friday will be the first full day of work....I can't wait.

Steps:  4184

Starting September 19th this will be home for the next five weeks.

The reality has set in that I will be boarding a plane for Dresden, Germany in less then 72 hours. Have I packed yet? No! Have I checked off more things than not on my to-do list? No! Am I excited and a little bit nervous? Yes! I feel so lucky to have this opportunity to be a working artist for five uninterrupted weeks and to be doing this in a foreign environment that will influence and inform my work and me. It's a dream come true. This is the first time I am trying my hand at blogging, but I think that it is important that I document my experiences in as many ways possible. So, this will become my Internet diary, my way of sharing with my friends and family my adventures in Dresden and Beyond (or the alternative title, suggested by Mary Kay, Debbie Does Dresden).