Thursday, December 27, 2012

Isle of Capri Italy

This is a larger version of one of my sketches I posted earlier.  These are very famous rocks that you immediately recognize as being right off the coast of Capri.  This is a very peaceful view (in my opinion) and I felt compelled to paint it again.

Sunday, December 23, 2012

Isle of Capri Italy - Church

This is a new painting done from my photo library.  I find it interesting that obviously the Church was built first but right in front of it is a bar.  There's only so much room and you must squeeze in all the necessities.  I'm so glad I took the day trip to this island.  It was truly beautiful in every way.

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Positano Plants - Watercolor Sketch

Well, this is my last sketch from the Amalfi coast trip.  This large potted plant was right outside a little cafe on the beach.  It was also a stopping point for a wonderfully luxurious cappuccino.   I can hardly get thru a day now without thinking of those cappuccinos.  There's something different about them in Italy.  I don't know exactly what it is, but I sure do miss them. 

Sunday, December 16, 2012

Window - Watercolor Sketch

One thing that has always fascinated me about France and Italy are their shuttered windows and doorways.  I have noticed over the years that they take great pride in their entries and windows.  There are always fresh flowers and I just want to peek inside.  Porches and entrances are always swept and kept clean. What other neat things are on the other side if they present such a clean attractive entrance or window?  I guess I'll never know unless someone invites me in some day. 

Monday, December 10, 2012

Positano Italy - Watercolor Sketch

Not far from Sorrento along the coast is another wonderful town called Positano.  Of course it had a wonderful church (pictured) and was a beautiful town.  It's very hilly and after a day of walking down to the beach and back up to the town and shops - it was a day!! 

Thursday, December 6, 2012

Isle of Capri - Watercolor Sketch

The next great side trip took us to the Isle of Capri which was pretty amazing.  You must be quite wealthy to live on this little island and it was beautiful.  There's a high and low end to the island and I couldn't resist heading straight to the high end first.  There's a chair lift that takes you to the very tip top of the island where you can see a fabulous 360 degree view for miles.  This sketch is of a couple of famous rocks that are perched right off the coastline and are painted quite often.  We didn't do any shopping here because all the stores were high end designer.  I saw a fabulous pair of shoes in a window but was a bit taken back at the $400+ price tag.  So off we went to the other side of the island.  I have so many photos I'd like to paint - wish I had the time to do them all. 

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Amalfi Coast - Watercolor Sketch

Amalfi is the first town we visited from Sorrento.  This sketch is from the curvy little road that runs along the coastline.  What is interesting about this scene is the little house is backed up and attached to the natural rocks.  Kind of hard to tell from this sketch but I found it fascinating.  I guess that insures you will never have a neighbor behind you. 

Monday, December 3, 2012

Sorrento Harbor, Italy - Watercolor Sketch

I'm baaack!  For those of you that didn't know I was missing - - I just returned from 2 wonderful weeks on the Amalfi coast of Italy.  We based out of Sorrento which is a lovely town.  The Amalfi coast specializes in producing that beautiful inlaid wood you all know and love from Italy.  They also produce the liquore "Limoncello" as they have a coast full of lemon trees.  This year I traveled with a large group of artists - a grand total of 32!  We had a full size charter bus take us to different coastal towns daily.  All nice and easy.  I only did postcard size watercolor sketches while on this trip.  There was just too much to see and do to spend all day in just one particular painting spot.  Some of the artists did just that, but they missed a lot of secret spots I found.  Ha