DANCING INTO THE NEW YEAR, watercolor and acrylic paintings

DANCING INTO THE NEW YEAR, watercolor and acrylic paintings of tango dancers and musicians, a solo show exhibition in the Main Hall of The Glashaus, from January 3rd to January 25th, 2015. The Glashaus: 1815 Main Street, San Diego, California.

Opening Reception on Saturday, January 10th, 2015, from 5:00-8:00pm. 
I hope to see you there!

CHARLES BRIDGE, PRAHA, watercolor on Arches paper

CHARLES BRIDGE, PRAHA, watercolor on Arches paper, 11x14 in.

This is the oldest bridge in Prague. It is so old, that it cannot support car, buses or tramways. It is a walking bridge. It is so beautiful, that it is constantly full of people walking in both directions, even quite late at night. The views are magnificent, with the illuminated buildings on both sides of the Vltava river reflected on the water. The streets that lead up to the bridge on both sides, take you to the most turistic locations of Prague: to the castle on one side, and to the main downtown area on the other side. The towers and statues along the bridge are magnificent! Walking along Charles Bridge is must, when you are in Prague.

CAFE LOUVRE HISTORIC POSTCARD, watercolor in sketchbook

CAFE LOUVRE HISTORIC POSTCARD, Prague, Czech Republic, watercolor in my sketchbook.
Cafe Louvre, in Prague, opened in 1902, one of the elite's of Prague's cafes. They achieved this reputation by organizing two concerts a day. Now a jazz club in the wine cellar, where Bill Clinton once played the saxophone.

Cafe Louvre used to be visited by those who belonged to the cream of the arts, literature, and science. Franz Kafka, Max Brod, and even Einstein, used to go there to meet friends and to do paperwork. They now serve breakfast, lunch, dinner, and a lovely tea for two in the afternoon.

ORCHID FROM MINA, waatercolor in sketchbook

ORCHID FROM MINA, watercolor in my sketchbook.

When I returned from Europe two weeks ago, I found this beautiful orchid in my studio, a present from my lovely neighbor friend Mina. I had to immediately sit down and include it in my sketchbook.

Thank you, Mina!! So beautiful flu!!

AND THE BIRDS RAINED DOWN, ink and watercolor in sketchbook

AND THE BIRDS RAINED DOWN, ink and watercolor in sketchbook, from the cover of the book, written by Jocelyne Saucier.

"Freedom is being able to choose your life. And your death."
"The eyes are what are most important in old people...."The eyes tell the story of their lives."
"Happiness needs only your consent."

Ms. Saucier won the Prix des Cinq Continents de la France with this book. It is a wonderful book I strongly recommend.

Castle of Prague (Praha Hrad), watercolor

CASTLE OF PRAGUE (PRAHA HRAD) 11x14 in. watercolor
In early November, there was enough sun and was not so cold in Prague, Czech Republic, to still enjoy some green trees and the view of the castle from the Hill of Petrin. After sketching plain air, I did this watercolor in the studio.

A funicular takes you up the steep hill, with the same ticket as the tramway or bus or metro. Prague has a fantastic public transportation system. For people between 60 and 70 years of age, it is half price. After 70, all public transportation throughout the city is free.

CHINESE TERRACOTA SOLDIERS, watercolor and ink

CHINESE TERRACOTA SOLDIERS, ink and watercolor in my travel journal.
We were very lucky to be in Prague at the moment of the special exhibition of the Chinese Terracota Soldiers. The exhibition is amazing, huge, very well presented, you need several hours to really get a feeling for the magnificent presentation of this unique work of art 2,200 years old!!! These sculptures were found in Xian, China, at the end of the XXth C. They found over 8,000 sculptures of soldiers, no two faces are alike! They have a variety of clothing, of buttons on their clothes, of hair style, that reflects the high level of work the Chinese artists were doing over two thousand years ago!!! We have not learned anything!

DANCING HOUSE, PRAGUE, watercolor and ink

DANCING HOUSE, PRAGUE, watercolor and ink in my travel journal. Frank Ghery designed these two interconnected buildings, seeming to "dance" with each other. Together, they are called "Dancing House", one is all glass, in a manner representing the moving dress of a woman, the other one straight, with a "head" of wires on top of the building. The image is beautiful. The restaurant on top, floor 7, is "Ginger and Fred", very appropriately. Delicious food, excellent presentation and service! The view of Prague from the top is fantastic!