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 5 - Rio Frari, Rio San Trovaso, Kiosk in the Square, Saint Mark's Cathedral

One damp morning I headed out and found a small restaurant, Rio Frari. I decided to stop and have a cappuccino and a croissant while I sketched the view. I included the only other patron sitting outside. After he left the waiter noticed I was sketching and came over a few times to check on my progress. When I was finished he took the sketch inside to show the other workers. 

This day I headed over by Rio San Trovaso and sketched there. A young woman came over and asked if I spoke English. She wanted to know where I got my painting stool. She was looking for something to use when she goes plein air painting that is light to carry. We had a big discussion about plein air work and I let her check out my stool. It turned out that she was from Philadelphia. I told her about Urban Sketchers (which was new to her) and that I had sketched with the Philly group once.

This kiosk was in the square by our apartment. I'm always amazed that they have an assortment of things for sale, including clothing. This one had a selection of winter coats. lol

I had to do a sketch of Saint Marks from the square. My plan was to sit in the middle of the square on my stool, but as soon as I set myself up, two police officers came over and very nicely told me that I couldn't sit there. It would be unsafe to sit there with the crowds. So I walked around looking for a place to be out of the way and still have a view. I found a small ledge to sit on near a construction fence. I tucked myself away in the corner. The sketch had to be a close-up since I was practically on top of the cathedral, so I included the top section only. I did get to use some of my antique gold paint on the spires and wings of the angels. This took quite a while to sketch and paint with all the details.

Usk Sketchmas Day 8 & 9

 The day 8 prompt for the Usk Sketchmas was a "warm drink." I headed over to Dolci Momenti Bakery in Holbrook where I indulged in a cappuccino and a nutella filled pastry to go with it...definitely an indulgence.

Day 9's prompt was a "lane with garbage bins." I didn't time it right to find trash bins along the street but did find two tucked in a corner behind a small strip mall. 

Arthur Avenue Retail Market

After my time at the NY Botanical Garden I drove over to Arthur Avenue which was about a 15 minute drive, however finding parking took almost that long. The "Little Italy" section of Arthur Avenue is in the middle of a not so safe area so it was important to find a good spot for parking. I lucked out and was right in the middle of the best area with restaurants, bakeries, pastry shops, cheese stores, etc. There is a Arthur Avenue Retail Market which is indoors and has a bit of everything, even a cigar maker at one end. There are cheeses, meats, salamis, sausages and parma hams hanging...a bit of sensory overload. There is a produce section, a section with all kinds of Italian specialties, a butcher, etc. There were tables in the center where you could sit and eat, or in my case have a cappuccino and sketch. I had a good view of the deli as well as barrels of who knows what and most of the time a variety of people ordering at the counters. Nobody bothered me and I was able to sit and sketch for about an hour and a half while I waited for my friends to arrive. Then we were off to shop at a few shops and finally we ventured into a wonderful Italian restaurant, Emilia's. I felt like I was back in Tuscany. We had lots of time to catch up and talk and were never rushed.

Here is my sketch done inside the Arthur Avenue Retail Market.