Athens

I've hit the ground running on the painting front, which is always easier when I'm already familiar with a place. Above is the first one I did, a place I had in mind before we even got here. I love the mix of ancient and modern in this scene. I also lucked into a cafe table to sit at while I worked, which is always lovely.

Next is my favorite taverna, the place they took me in and treated me like a local when I was here for the summer in 2003. I always get a  lovely welcome, and I can't think of anywhere in the world I would rather sit and eat a meal.

Next I revisited the meat market, built in 1916, one of the butchers told me. I had done black and white pencil sketches here in 2003, but never color. It was fun to hang out there again. The butchers are all grateful for a distraction from their normal day, and it was fun to chat with them. One was very concerned that I manage all the details, and they had fun picking out which of them I'd sketched.

Finally, I painted from another outdoor cafe table at an intersection I've always liked. The lovely thing about Athens is cafe tables EVERYWHERE. Today, though, I'm headed for the Temple of Olympian Zeus, which means no tables and no shade. I put in my folding stool at the last minute, and I'm glad I did, even if it makes my daypack overcrowded. No way was I sitting on the floor of the meat market. I've seen the buckets of  blood they dump in there.... (Very old world. My sisters were not fans, but I'm fascinated with the place.)