Boboli Gardens, Sketch Crawl

On Saturday I took my University of Connecticut art students on a "sketch crawl" at the Boboli Gardens in Florence, Italy. For the uninitiated, a sketch crawl is a group of artists getting together and drawing on location. It was a beautiful day and we had a great time. We even enjoyed lunch afterward, courtesy of Palazzo Rucellai (where the students are currently enrolled). What's better than a morning of drawing? A morning of drawing followed by as much pizza and salad as you can eat.

Pre-Holiday Dinner

Just a little visual record of the recent pre-holiday dinner celebrated with friends (and artists) Patti Argoff and Deborah Dancy. Good food, good times, good friends. This is what the holidays are all about!

Merlot. A Bit of Sanity.

When in doubt, a small glass of merlot seems helpful. Just a small glass, in all its ruby-red deliciousness.

Happy Thanksgiving

This Thanksgiving I celebrated in a non-traditional way... but it did include this fabulous CAO cigar! Well worth it. Hope your Thanksgiving was just as enjoyable.

More Adventures in Gastronomia

Recently I had the opportunity to try the "Selezione Salumi de Cinghiale" (Wild Boar Salami Selection) at Il Santino, a nice little wine bar on Via Santo Spirito, 60R, in Florence, Italy. My recommendation? Yes!

Chianti! Chianti! Chianti!

Chianti Festival! What a time! Held at the Palazzo della Repubblica in Florence, there was no shortage of delicious chiantis and olive oils to taste and covet. Though it was hard to choose, I ended up with a great organic chianti for my very own. If you are ever in Italy, check out the Fattoria Sant'Andrea vintners. Good stuff!

Chestnuts, All Kinds of Ways

It's truly fall- here in Florence and at home in the U.S., chestnuts roasting on the street smell great and taste even better. Here's a sketchbook page dedicated to the humble chestnut and the joy it brings!