An old train at the Milano Centrale train station.

Traveling in Europe means you'll be spending a lot of time in train stations. I didn't mind so much in Milano Centrale, which is a beautiful Stile Liberty (Italian Art Nouveau) building, plus I had time to draw. Here is an old train that was sitting at a platform not far from where I was sitting. I wish I had a little more time, but I had to catch a train.

-R

Self Portrait

Self portrait from my reflection on the bus.


-R

Merry Christmas

-R

Bill Evans

Bill Evans is my favorite Jazz pianist. I love his music. If you have never heard Bill Evans please do yourself a favor and go out and buy any one of his 50 or more albums.


Bill Evans (1929-1980)

Ballpoint-pen on paper.

-R

Goya at NCMA

I had the opportunity to visit the Nassau County Museum of Art over the weekend to see the Goya exhibit. Goya's "Los Caprichos" a set of of 80 etchings were on display. I am very familiar with Goya and his work, but I never had the chance to see these etchings in person. They are very delicate, dark and very ominous in certain aspects. Goya made these etchings as a social commentary on Spain, specifically on the monarchy and the clergy. I took notes and did some drawings copying some of his etchings. This is one of the most well known images from the group, and also one of my favorite. This is plate number 43, it's titled: El Sueño de la Razon Produce Monstruos.

Besides the wonderful Goya etchings, the grounds at the NCMA are beautiful, the property is enormous. The weather allowed for us to walk around and explore a little. The museums used to be the house of W.C. Bryant, and it's a very well designed American Beaux-Arte mansion.

If you're ever in Long Island you should attempt to visit this under-rated museum. They always have interesting exhibitions and you get to see a beautiful garden, and the property is littered with interesting sculptures.

-R

Santa Maria Novella

The famous Florentine church; Santa Maria Novella, in ink.



-R

A page from my sketchbook

Some value studies and a quick self portrait.


-R

Smoking nervously

I was at a coffee shop and saw this gentleman outside smoking nervously.

-R

Last page of another sketchbook

I finally got around to finishing another sketchbook. This is a house in Belleville NJ.


I painted this house before but I think I dedicated a little more time to this version.

-R