Field of tobacco

Our area is notorious for tobacco production, all along the Tevere there are field after field of the crop. This is a quick sketch of the trees that line the river and border the tobacco. The whole area is still something like 70% wooded which makes for very interesting hillsides what are constantly changing with the seasons.

The Secret Monastery

Quick sketches of La Preg, side view
The much altered rear view

La Preghiera, (the prayer) is in parts over 1000 years old and started out as a monastery serving the monks of the area. The road past the front of the complex is on the St Francis trail from Cortona to Assisi so it is highly likely that he stayed here, ate bread and maybe said a prayer in the Oratorio. Now it has been completely refurbished and is an Agritourismo where you can spend a peaceful vacation absorbing the calm of the area. I luckily work here so get to sit in these beautiful surrounds on a daily basis.

June Gallery

Some pictures from the sketch book done during June.

Viola

Viola is my 1969 VW Camper, that has served me loyaly for the last 4 years, brought me 15oo miles from Wales to Italy and now acts as my pack horse travelling around the Umbrian valleys. The picture is one my father in law asked me to draw, as he prefers paintings to photographs, so this is my interpretation of our house with Viola outside. When I say our house, I mean the top floor apartment, if only I could afford the whole building.