stage left.

chiostri.

that neighborhood.

good teachers

Why draw?

This American, me; sketching, sitting inconspicuously

 on that indispensable (REI) stool and away.

Most folk walk around me; especially the ‘gruppi’, snapping pics and keeping the pace of the tour guide,

seeing the next great landmark. OK. Enough about ‘turisti.’

The Italians!

 Not unlike good teachers, they approach me, not too close, quiet for awhile and 

they offer kind words and direction. 

Always, their appreciation is evident with huge smiles.  

Drawing has become novelty,  plein air work is not so common anymore.

Surprise?

Here is the deal: I feel the Italians truly appreciate that their City/neighborhood or street is 

being studied, felt and documented with a drawn hand.

My big reward: connection.  I have conversation; I understand so much more than I can speak.  

We speak of the history or the architect or the artist or the color it used to be; all of that and more.  

As I was sketching Pantheon, I had a nice Italian gentleman tell me to “Stop!” 

He said the drawing was complete. 

I looked at the drawing and so it was.

Always appreciated; a good teacher.

Get out there. Meet your neighbors. Experience your surroundings and your City.

Connect.

gelato

pronto.

tanti!

practice

practice.

17 days so far in Rome.

Each day I head out of the Rome ‘studio’, I am hit head-on with more and more beauty.

 I did set out from Seattle in mid-August with intention of being an artist and 

discovering what that means? Huge.

I feel, one aspect of me being ‘artist’ is to draw each and everyday 

and take your sketchbook with you all the time; absorb, perceive and practice.

I meet my subjects ‘head on’ and, at times, I tell myself 

as I am working through the view, 

‘I have met my match.’ (left brain thinking?) 

However, I keep going.  Going.

And going and….

I compare the works I do as a practiced musician, 

perhaps an an intermediate student; 

no, each day is a new start, so much more to learn and see. 

Turn the page of the sketchbook and start another and begin.

bravi turisti