WATER AND TOWERS, STOCKHOLM, watercolor

Water and Towers, Stockholm, 4x6 watercolor

Benjamin Franklin said: "Either write something worth reading or do something worth writing."
I hope this blog and my paintings meet his approval, and yours.

I painted this little watercolor sitting on the steps near the Parliament, while waiting for the tour to start. The Swedish Parliament is the most democratic I've ever heard of : anybody can walk in, attend the sessions (in Swedish) and even be elected Member of Parliament, if you have the votes. It is an Open Parliament, nothing is secret. There is only One House: this Parliament, which makes the laws. The representatives, don't sit by political groups, but by region. Thus, all the political parties sit together, by each of the 28 regions. This organization seems to make their allegiance to their region stronger than to their party. Something to think about.

MARKET AND MUSIC, STOCKHOLM, watercolor

Market and Music, Stockholm, 4x6 watercolor

The building in blue, the Stockholm Concert Hall, was built in 1902,  for the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, and was immediately (and ever since then) used also for the Nobel Prize Ceremony. The building was planned in front of the square where the open air market is held daily, with fresh fruits and flowers, in the manner of the Greek "agora". Music in the place where people meet  for their daily business.

STOCKHOLM SUNSET II, watercolor

Stockholm Sunset II, watercolor, 4x6 (10x15)

Stockholm is one of the greatest cities in the world. I basque in the beauty of ancient buildings, flowers, gardens, coffee houses, and water everywhere. Rio de Janeiro resident Bobo Karlsson, writer of the successful book URBAN SAFARI (a soulful portrait of 12 of his favorite cities), said of Stockholm: "Stockholm is an old beauty, with a strong, youthful, creative vitality - the mixture of urban modernity and nature, plus water around the corner all of the time. And a sort of high qualit overall."
Keep reading about this beautiful city, where I'm spending a few days...bye now, I'm late for breakfast!