Category Archives: Elsewhere Scenes

paintings, sketches and ideas from finding regular life whilst wandering in countries including Japan, Europe, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka and more

Europa (unfinished) / pencil on canvas or paper (vol. 2)

Beer and mussels in a cellar bar with wooden beams - Brussellex, Belgique, 2005, pencil on paper 11"x17"
Beer and mussels in a cellar bar with wooden beams – Brussellex, Belgique, 2005, pencil on paper 11″x17″

On a 2005 ramble through a few western European countries (Netherlands, Belgium, France, Spain, Portugal), i carried a satchel of art supplies and painted / sketched along the way. Mostly on 11″x17″ canvas sheet and watercolour paper.

In most cases, i “finished” the pieces in one sitting using acrylics or sometimes watercolour pencils or pastels (these are catalogued, sold/gifted and posted elsewhere).

Little lane to a door (24) to elsewhere, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, 2005 - pencil on paper 11"x17"
Little lane to a door (24) to elsewhere, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, 2005 – pencil on paper 11″x17″

Anyhow, i have a several which never quite got finished and now sit in a folio in a storage locker elsewhere. I snapped photos and have considered how to finish – even soliciting advice which ranged from “they are finished” to “consider gouache” or “make a colouring book” which i did for my nieces and nephews.

Regardless, they are nowhere near and as such, lonely and sad. So, here are rough drafts in ragged spontaneity and various forms and mediums.

This is Vol. 2 of a few (maybe), pardon repeats and redundancies.

Café with wine and beer on tap, espresso, croissants and the like, Santiago de Compostela, Spain, 2005 - pencil on paper, 11"x17"
Café with wine and beer on tap, espresso, croissants and the like, Santiago de Compostela, Spain, 2005 – pencil on paper, 11″x17″

Europa (unfinished) / pencil on canvas or paper (vol. 1)

Eiffel Tower from Arc du Triumph, Paris, 2005 - pencil on paper 11"x17"
Eiffel Tower from Arc du Triumph, Paris, 2005 – pencil on paper 11″x17″

On a 2005 ramble through a few western European countries (Netherlands, Belgium, France, Spain, Portugal), i carried a satchel of art supplies and painted / sketched along the way. Mostly on 11″x17″ canvas sheet and watercolour paper.

In most cases, i “finished” the pieces in one sitting using acrylics or sometimes watercolour pencils or pastels (these are catalogued, sold/gifted and posted elsewhere).

Bridge and canal (with cheese shop and bicycles), Amsterdam, The Netherlands, 2005 - pencil on paper 11" x 17"
Bridge and canal (with cheese shop and bicycles), Amsterdam, The Netherlands, 2005 – pencil on paper 11″ x 17″

Anyhow, i have a several which never quite got finished and now sit in a folio in a storage locker elsewhere. I snapped photos and have considered how to finish – even soliciting advice which ranged from “they are finished” to “consider gouache” or “make a colouring book” which i did for my nieces and nephews.

Regardless, they are nowhere near and as such, lonely and sad. So, here are rough drafts in ragged spontaneity and various forms and mediums.

This is Vol. 1 of a few (maybe), pardon repeats and redundancies.

Cyclist runs red light, Police whistle to no avail (while i wait for a bus) - Amsterdam, The Netherlands, 2005, pencil on paper 11"x17"
Cyclist runs red light, Police whistle to no avail (while i wait for a bus) – Amsterdam, The Netherlands, 2005 – pencil on paper 11″x17″

… stroll out to find the finest / paella #painting

… stroll out to find the finest / paella #painting

Oh art and creative expression soothes the savage tension of day in slow transit through suburban bus depots. Here’s one in watercolor pencil washes with bits of pastels painted (mostly) in Barcelona, Espana in 2005. I’d lost my glasses on day 4 of a 25 day trip and finding the fuzziness an impetus for painting all over Europa.

This one is a daytime impression from out Juliet porch at Pension Dali, and presented to my Mom to match the acrylic night scene facing the other direction (alas no photo at this time). Does this feel like you are a block and a half from Las Ramblas and La Boceria about to stroll out to find the finest paella?