Satin Doll Church

In the foreground, the local establishment of lap dancing arts. Looming above, the spire of Grace Church on Westminster Street. Heaven or Hell, virtue or vice. I will let the viewer decide which is which.

Pienza Mi Amore

Another sketch from several years ago, this is from the perfect Renaissance town of Pienza. Only about 12 acres, it has a stunning town square defined by the Cathedral, Pope's Palace, Bishop's Palace, and Town Hall. The architect was Rossellino, another red-headed architect.

This view is on the wall around the town, looking to the Duomo.

Ahhhhh Lucca

From a trip several years ago, the Piazza dell"Anfitheatro is the echo of the original Roman amphitheater, which could hold 10,000 people and a few lions. Over time the inside was filled in and then cleared and the walls built upon and then removed and rebuilt into its present form. Rather like replacing the handle of a hammer, and then the head, but calling it the same hammer.

Old Stone Bank

On South Main in Providence, this former bank was owned for the last 16 years by Brown University and has just been sold to a biotech firm. This granite block crowned with a gilded skylit dome was erected in 1854 and expanded in 1898 to its present form. The company that was its long term resident, The Old Stone Bank, went bankrupt in 1992 after the federal government convinced it to take over two other troubled banks and then walked away from Old Stone after saying it would back it up.

The proportions of the portico are much too skinny in my sketch - it makes the bank look like it is breathing in.

Things are Looking Up

Same former firestation in Haverhill MA, this time reaching for the sky.

Haverhill MA Firehouse

After an urban design workshop in the historic mill town of Haverhill Massachusetts, this former firestation demanded that my pen take note of its presence. The mills produced shoes and hats, and Haverhill High was the inspiration for the comic Archie. Now it is producing condo lofts, bistros and boutiques, but that is fine to preserve this wonderful urban place.

Land 'o Lincoln

Lincoln Massachusetts, that is. Two view from the deck of a Deckhouse. The first is looking down to the pond, with the red UFO in the upper right identified as a hummingbird feeder. The second view is down to the yard and woods, with a wild turkey gobbling its food oblivious to humans who might find him tasty.

More Trash on Transit

The Big Green Can (not exactly a can now is it) waits patiently in all its 95 gallon glory by the curb for its disgorgement. It will later reach fulfillment by its kindly owner.

Transit Street Trash

Just off Benefit Street, the first wharf in Providence was on Transit Street in 1680. Some off the oldest houses reside here. I'm not sure if Transit refers to transportation, surveying or celestial concerns, but this sketch was done on a day of more mundane activities.

Benefit Street Mansion Stair

Brick and limestone (of the brown variety) stairs to the Nightingale-Brown Mansion. The iron light/arch is about the most elegant way to provide a sense of passage and illumination.

Benefit Street Mansion

This impressive 1791 house was the abode of Colonel Joseph Nightingale, owned by the Browns since 1814, it is now the Brown Center for the Study of American Civilization. Very civilized, indeed.

Benefit & Williams

On Benefit Street - Providence's 'Mile of History'. These two brightly colored houses are framed by a dormant sycamore on the left and bloomin' bushes on the right. The house on the corner is the Esek Dexter house built around 1790.

Waterman & Ives

Waterman is an appropriate street name for this rainy, nighttime sketch. It was early evening and no one was home, at least they didn't have the lights on. That is better than me - the lights are on, but no one is home.