Venice - Part 9 - Nocturne, China Cup, Caffe' at Ferrovia, Train Riders, Flight Home

One of the things I really wanted to do on this trip was a nocturne. Most days I was too tired to head out to sketch after dark. But one morning I woke up really early and couldn't fall back asleep. It was still dark so I went into the living room and pulled out my art supplies. I knew I didn't have long before the sky would really start to lighten, so it was now or never. This is part of the view out the side window in the living room. It is a really small painting but I'm so glad I did it. Yay!!

The kitchen cabinets in the apartment were filled with assorted china plates and cups, and then some full sets of dishes. There were a few of these cups and I used Procreate to create the design. I think I was fairly successful.

The end of our stay in Venice came too soon. We navigated with Jerry's walker, two backpacks, and a rolling suitcase to the train station for our train back to Milan. Luckily a lovely woman helped us over the bridge near the apartment and then it was pretty clear sailing to the station. It was a lot of walking for Jerry and we were early, so we stopped at one of the only sit-down cafes inside the station for a cappuccino before it was boarding time. I swear there was maybe two mouthfuls of coffee in the cup and the rest was foam! I did have time to do a sketch of two people at a nearby table. They had a duffle bag with them that was as big as they were. lol Finally it was time to board.

This train was not as roomy as the one coming to Venice, and it seemed like all the seats were filled. I sketched a few of the passengers across the aisle.

We arrived at Milano Centrale and had to walk all the way to the other end of the station to find the Malpensa Express to go to the airport, which was were our overnight accommodations were (the Sheraton Malpensa Milan Malpensa Hotel).  By the time we arrived we had been traveling about 6 1/2 hrs. The great thing about the hotel is that it is right at the airport. When you walk out the doors of the hotel you are in Terminal 1 of the Milan Airport.

It seemed to take forever (and 4,664 steps according to my step counter on my phone) before we arrived at the door of the plane. Jerry had it easy because he was in an electric wheelchair with his agent. I was walking.

I did get to sketch of the flight, because this nice model was sitting across from us.

The trip was really great, and I was happy with the amount of sketching I was able to do. Jerry also got a lot of work accomplished with the musicians he was in Venice to work with.

Venice 2024 - Part 1 - American Airlines Flight, Train Ride, View from Our Apartment, Sketching With a Friend

I think most urban sketchers begin their trips with a sketch either of the view of the airplane through the windows of the terminal or a sketch done on the plane. We arranged for a wheelchair at JFK for Jerry so we never sat at the gate waiting. Instead I sketched on the American Airlines plane. This man was across the aisle. The lights had already been dimmed on the plane after dinner. 

After our plane landed in Milan, we navigated our way from the airport to Milan's Central Station and then the fast train from Milan to Venice. The trip took about 2 1/2 hrs. I captured the couple across from us, the luggage, and a bit of the view out the window.

This is the beautiful view out one of our windows in the living room of our apartment in the San Polo area of Venice. This is the same apartment we stayed in last year. It was perfect for us...lots of room, an elevator, and walk-in shower that Jerry could use easily. We had a very rainy day, so I am glad we had a nice view.

A NYC Urban Sketcher friend was also in Venice for a few days. I met up with Marion for an afternoon of sketching and a nice lunch.

This was the view that I was sketching.

Porto Day 1

My Porto trip begins with my time at Kennedy Airport. I always try to get there early so my husband dropped me off about 3 hrs before the flight. I had checked in and was through security in about 10 minutes. You know that doesn't happen when you need it to happen. lol So I had time to sketch at the airport. I found a spot in one of the restaurant/bars to sit with a view toward the bar.

Then I moved on to Gate 46 where my American Airlines plane would be departing. It was crowded but I found a spot with a pretty good view out the window for my obligatory airplane sketch.

Later on the plane I sketched the flight attendants as they were serving beverages on the way to Madrid.

Just in case you want to see the size of these here is the whole page. I took along a Strathmore Mixed Media Sketchbook that is just about 8 x 10. The Madrid ticket was added later.

My next flight was on Iberia. Compared to American their seats feel like you are sitting on plastic...no cushiony feeling to the seat at all. Luckily the flight from Madrid to Porto was short. I took a cab from the airport to my apartment where I was met by the rental agent. I should have sketched or taken photos of the apartment which was great but the best that I have are photos of my view. My studio apartment was located on Largo S Domingos, a square which was filled with restaurants and people. It was a great location! I had views out in two directions. It was a studio apartment but had an area for the bed, a table with 3 upholstered chairs, a small couch with a TV, a tiny kitchen area behind doors with a two burner stove, a sink, a fridge and barely any room to prep anything. I wasn't planning to cook anything besides breakfast so it worked out well. And there was a nice sized bathroom with a big shower where I could hang laundry to dry.

I contacted my friends and met them for lunch at Majestic Cafe, an old time Porto cafe that was beautifully decorated. These ladies at a table near us were enjoying their lunch.

From there we walked to the Se' Cathedral which was sitting on a hill and had great views over the city. It was a spot that I returned to many times. Porto is a city of very steep streets, wonderful old buildings (right up my alley), great food and wonderful people.

Here's my friend, Shawne sketching from the wall by the cathedral as the sun was starting to go down. It didn't get dark in Porto until around 9:30.

My friends were going out to dinner at 9:00 but I was so tired. I had been up for almost 24 hours without sleep. I told them I had to skip dinner and headed back to my apartment. There was a saxophonist playing in the square when I got back and from inside the apartment what I heard was soft sax music as I fell asleep.

My Trip Begins

Yes, I am finally back! The trip was great and I will post a bit at a time. Like many artists when I travel I like to keep a sketchbook as well as do individual loose paintings. I made a special accordion sketchbook just for the trip. Sometimes it is hard to decide if I should use the sketchbook or do an actual painting.

Our trip started at Kennedy Airport on Sept. 12. We always get to the airport with plenty of time to spare so we find someplace comfortable to sit and have a drink. We sat at the bar of the New York Sports Bar and had a drink. I pulled out my sketchbook and did this of the bartenders. The one with the ponytail and beard was our bartender. When he saw the sketch he asked if it was for him and I said no, it was in my sketchbook for the trip and I couldn't give it to him. He said for a sketch he would give us free drinks.

So I pulled out my small sketchbook and did another for him...and we got two free beers. lol (Don't tell anyone...I don't want to get him in trouble.) I took a photo of the sketch before I gave it to him.

I couldn't resist sketching the couple sitting across the aisle from us on the flight.

We had an overnight flight from NY to Milan on American Airlines, arriving early the next morning. From Milan we took the train down to Savona, Italy.

Those sketches and paintings will be next. Ciao!

Traveling to San Diego

I just can't resist sketching when I travel. We had a bit of time before the flight took off at Kennedy Airport on Wednesday, so I sketched the view out the window in front of me. This was done directly in ink so I would have something done for my 75 day challenge.

 

 

On Thursday we went to Harrah's Rincon Casino in North San Diego. This was where our family members stayed and the wedding was about 20 minutes from there. We got there early enough to play the slot machines and then have something to eat. The wedding was on Friday afternoon and of course we spent a little time by the pool in the early part of the day. This was sketched directly in pen.

 

I didn't sketch at the wedding, although it would have been a great place to sketch. It was at a ranch with beautiful oak trees and rustic buildings. The wedding ceremony and reception were outdoors. Luckily it wasn't too warm. Here are a few photos of the bride and groom...my nephew,. Mike and his lovely bride, Rachel.

 

And a photo of me and my sister with the happy couple.

(Mike, me, Mickey, and Rachel)

 

I will post the other sketches tomorrow.