olechko

Yesterday we had to miss the local markets, except for the half hour at the very end, when we could pop out for some Thai spring rolls. It rained and rained and all there was left to do is think of the fun things that happened before and eat peanut butter sandwiches. My mouse has gotten into some of this peanut butter and now it’s extremely hard to browse, sigh.  This is one of the recent past memories: lovely Yulia has visited recently, whom we made fall in love withe East End and she took back to Washington one of my Natashas.

Decided to come back to my doodles, quite a few have accumulated since I last posted any here. Oh, and save the date to visit the upcoming show of one of my oils:

ING Discerning Eye opens in London from

13 - 23 November 2008
The Mall Galleries
The Mall 
London SW1 Y5BD

There is this amazing place in East London by Spitafileds. The experience is unpareallel and highly recommended to everybody. Recreated lived-in house from the 18th century provides full sensory experience from interiors to smell and sound of the period and it’s tenants.   It’s open during random hours for visits and allegibly still inhabitated.

Check out Benjamin Sullivan who has an amazing output of artwork primerily in casual portraits.

On our latest visit to Lviv  I met this amazing artist Oleksandr Fedorchuk ( we actually went to art school together, him being two years senior). Now a renowned icon painter, does amazing Byzantium style works in traditional technique.

Besides we visited our old digs at Dzyga to drink coffee Lviv style and catch the latest exhibit. Check out a new show at Zelena Kanapa. Finally checked out Kryivka to drink some good beer by Persha Lvivska Brovarnya, medivka and experience the nationalist Ukrainian army atmosphere - machine guns, Georgia supporting manifestos and field trip type of food. A climb to the top of city hall for breathtaking vies and visit to many bookshops and antique books market by Ivana Fedorova monument were all a must.

Arrived in Kyiv today and enjoying the views.

Have been thinking of what good t-shirt designs I can submit to NOI WEAR. Really there are just a few of my images that fit that bill, this new one is one of Indulgence is one of them; I submitted the Snog done almost two years ago and Hanging out that I made for Wendy in spring.

Oh yeah, and another two simple drawings: On the couch and In the field.

I am still under the impression of the Dutch masters. The other day went to the National Gallery to draw live from the Dutch masterpieces. Close study revealed amazingly orchestrated compositions and tonal solutions in some of the best of them.

Girl sipping tea,18.06.08 watercolor pencils on 140 lb. paper

Girl dancing, watercolor pencils in Moleskine

Separately about Catalan food: with omelettes served every hour of the day, instituted two breakfasts and very-very  late dinners offering tapas of beans, potatoes and seafood, pan con tomato, manchego cheeses.  For drinks it was the  local bubbly Cava or Rjoha and sometimes sangria , as well as local beer Moritz - all yum!  Had a great time packing myself with  salads like nicoise, great cheese plates, and bocadillos ( with honey and brie and walnuts, brie and tomato with olive oil and lettuce..)  Best food experience we had was at  Cava Fumada in Barcelonetta.  Fine dining experiences were not as memorable, on average the food seemed a bit too greasy with all the pork sausages and all… Maison Jesus and a small place in Gerona (that I don’t remember the name of) were very good.  Almost every single chiringito on the Barcelonetta beach served great shade, view of the sea, drinks and snacks.  It was pleasant to find out the city full of ancient established farmers’ markets where the locals usually stock up for the week.

Katherine Tyrrel at Making the Mark pointed out at the show of entymology illustrators exhibit at Getty.