My Euro Pruse from Rome.

The entire time I was in Italy I looked for a change purse to treasure. Finally, I found one that I loved in Rome not far from the Trevi Fountain. Fitting for completing my Italy series. The sketchbook is now done.

Last night I bought a new sketchbook, just like the first. I like the size and format. The small paintings could easily translate to larger ones. I like cariying it around and painting as I have time to fit a little in. Not sure what I will go with next. Perhaps simple objects for everyday use.

I am excited to have this project completed, and I am motivated to begin the new series.

A Window in Rome...

On our last day in Rome, I took several pictures of windows around the city. This window was near the Pantheon. Windows have the potential to tell wonderous stories.

One more painting from this series! I need to go out to buy a new moleskin sketchbook tonight!

I have two more paintings to post that will then complete my Italy Sketchbook series. It will be thirty six paintings in all, I believe. I will be working on some larger works for the next couple of months. Some of these paintings will be based on my Italy trip, although I think I may start something completely new. I feel a change coming on.

Swiss Guards at the Vatican in Rome...

have been wearing the same clothing since Michelangelo's time (1500!) In fact, he designed this outfit. Cool.

Colosseum in Rome...

This place is amazing. No words to describe it really. Unbelievable in terms of what took place there.

Elizabeth Barbara Clark was my friend.

When someone dies it is so sad. When someone whom you have been close to for more than half your life passes, some part of you goes too. That is how I feel right now...my husband's mom died on Tuesday, October 16, 2007 at 8:40pm est.

My mother-in-law was not your typical mother-in-law for me. I knew her since I was 11 years old. She was my best friend's mom and became one of my best friends. She was the woman I most admired in my life. She was my mentor. She was the person to whom I went with questions about raising children. She was the person who had knowledge of and skills in painting, quilting, cooking and life. We could talk about just anything. When I was sad I could call her and she would always have a careful bit of advice. She always knew just what to say to make things feel right. She knew when to correct and when to encourage.

Right now, I can not imagine life without her. I have thought about this for a long time, as her illness took its toll on her life and ability to function independently for quite some time. But now, reality facing me, I find it difficult to paint. To think. To act on anything other than what is absolutely necessary.

I will breath for a while. I will come back to painting in a few days.

Thanks for looking in.

Interior Pantheon Rome

I kept this painting light. Mostly, to capture the extreme blinding ight that poured into the space from the skiylight. This is where Rapheal is entombed.

Ancient Rome Forum

The feeling I got from walking these streets was incredible. I don't have the words for it even now - three months later. One gets a great feeling of space when surrounded with these ancient ruins.

Trevi Fountain Rome

My aim here was to capture the overall movement of this place. The day I was there it was so full of people and flooded with light - both were almost blinding.

Brick Oven Pizza Maker in Rome

Orvieto was merely a stop on our way to Rome. Once in Rome, our first stop was at a hotel where students got to watch how they make pizza in Rome. They also got to make their own.

Pottery Shop in Orvieto

When I saw this street, it led me down a path to other roads throughout Orvieto. I found some beautiful pictures to take and felt that I had all I needed to see in this one town. Every corner I turned there was something more beautiful than around the last turn.

A back Alleyway in Orvieto

If I could go back to Italy, and I do hope to one day, I would spend more time exploring places like this. Tucked away in the back streets and alleys you can see day to day life in these beautiful old - historic settings. I could spend a lifetime exploring and painting these places and never satisfy my need or exhaust the ptential for images. Just an absolutely amazing place!

Orvieto Italy

I loved this town! It was high up on a hill between Florence and Rome. Protected and quite old. Many artists live and have shops here. I loved walking into some of the back roads and taking pictures in the alleyways.

This was one of the highlights of the whole trip for me.

Santa Croce Monastery Florence

It is quiet in this space. Well ordered. Evenly divided and divine.