Draw Your Own Conclusion

Gitane, Little Doggie

2012-01-26T13:57:00.000-08:00

Or little alligator. Not sure why he is nailed to the wall go Cafe Gitane, a French-Morocan cafe in the base of the Jane Hotel in NYC. There was no alligator offered on the menu.

The Jane is an affordable choice in Chelsea on the Hudson, with rooms for two going at $125. But you get bunk beds in a room that measures 5'6" wide by 7' long and shared bathrooms. A little like a train, without all the stops and starts.

Wei Wei All the Way Home

2012-01-23T06:24:00.000-08:00

Unexpectedly came upon an exhibition of Ai Wei Wei, the Chinese artist, in the Grand Army Plaza in front of the Plaza Hotel in NYC. Surrounding the Pulitzer Fountain, this circle of Chinese Zodiac Heads is based on the 12 animal heads that functioned as a water clock-fountain in the European-style gardens of Emperor Qianlong at the summer palace of Yuanming Yuan outside of Beijing.

In 1860, French and British troops ransacked the summer palace and the heads were pillaged.

Chinggis Khan

2012-01-16T10:16:00.000-08:00

This a view of a new stainless steel sculpture of Chinggis Khan and his horse that is 120 feet tall in the middle of a valley. The small black bits above the horses mane are people!

Chinggis is the proper way to say Genghis, which can mean 'ocean' - in this case an ocean of grass that stretched from China to the Danube River and into Persia. He united the warring Mongol tribes and created the largest empire ever. Ruthless, yes, but also responsible for advances in civilization such as trade, diplomacy, meritocracy, and a tolerance for different religions. For a good overview, read 'Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World'.

BTW, John Wayne played Genghis Khan is a movie called 'The Conqueror' with Susan Hayward as his wife.

Ulanbaatar Wood

2012-01-11T11:02:00.000-08:00

Not the same as Norwegian Wood, but very colorful. This is some sort of platform/guard station/religious contraption on the grounds of the Ganantegchenling Monastery. The greens and ochres snap in the endless blue sky supported by the golden brown dust of the hills.

Gandantegchenling

2012-01-06T10:58:00.000-08:00

Monastery, of course, located in Ulaanbatar, Mongolia. Created in 1838 as a center of Mongolian Buddhism, it was damaged and closed in 1938 by Stalinists.

In 1990, with the Mongolians in charge of their own future, they set about restoring this important site, including rebuilding the 88 foot tall copper with gold plating Buddha. Many of the buildings are Tibetan style. Well loved part of Ulaanbatar.

Strada Nova for New Year

2012-01-02T08:58:00.000-08:00

The Strada Nova (New Street) in Venice was completed in 1871 and created a generous 10 x 400 meter new pedestrian thoroughfare. We were on our way to nowhere in particular in the light cold rain on a weeknight of Carnevale, when out of the mist came the apparition of local Venetians on their way to the opera.

They do exist (I think).

Vini da Gigio a Go-go

2011-12-30T15:58:00.000-08:00

The evening after our arrival, after checking in, braving the tens of thousands in San Marco's for the Angel's Flight beginning Carnevale, and stumbling jet lagged throughout the dark and cold, we arrived at this oasis of warmth and light. Chestnut pasta with duck sauce, sarde en saur, razor clams - molte been!

We carried the warmth and light back to our beds and drank deeply of the wines of Morpheus.

Corte Sconta (the Hidden Court that we found)

2011-12-22T10:17:00.000-08:00

After making reservations months in advance for Al Covo and wandering in biting February winds in the rather deserted Castello, we found out that Al Covo is closed on Wednesdays! So we went over to Corte Sconta nearby and had an unbelievable meal. The seafood appetizer was four courses of all types of seafood - bream carpaccio, spider crabs, razor clams and other assorted bits fresh from the lagoon.

The courtyard as seen above was a cheery, sunny space, but as it was too freakin' cold, we warmed ourselves visually.

Home-er-Stimson

2011-12-19T14:41:00.000-08:00

A short street on the East Side of Providence, Stimson Avenue is a feast of fine design from the cornucopia of architecture era 1880-1930. Many styles, all done well. This big honkin' mama is an excellent essay in brick wing walls and green stained shingles well worth a careful reading.

Aardvark (Oops, I Mean Armadillo) & Guts

2011-08-09T11:15:00.000-07:00

From a trip to the RISD Nature Lab, it seemed as tho this creature had an interest in the guts almost spilling out of the hominid model nearby.
BTW, both armadillos and aardvarks have no external testicles, unusual for a mammal. Seems like a good idea.

Observe Griffith Observatory

2011-07-20T12:36:00.000-07:00

Griffith J. Griffith (the man so nice they named him twice) used his possibly ill-gotten mining gains to donate 3000 plus acres to Los Angeles to form Griffith Park (or more properly, Griffith J. Griffith Park).

After shooting his wife in the head (she survived) he spent two years in the pokey, and through his will gave money for the construction of the Greek Theater and the Griffith Observatory. The architect was John C. Austin, who also designed LA City Hall, and did not shoot his wife in the head or elsewhere.

Lucky Thirteen

2011-07-06T09:28:00.000-07:00

The Thomas Peckham House on Benefit Street was begun before 1824 with later additions. I am not sure how many family members the building housed, but it is now the repository of thirteen condominiums. Not a bad exemplar for a medium sized apartment building.

Ventian Cafe California Style

2011-06-18T07:25:00.000-07:00

Abbot Kinney had a vision for Venice California that would rival Venice Italy. Yes there are canals and yes there are arcades, but the depression and subsequent bad taste and development has left but a smidgen o' Venice left.
This purple-hued arcade with wavy gravy graphics at least has the right use in mind - caffe, per favore!

Ventian Food Trucks

2011-06-11T09:19:00.000-07:00

Ever on the hunt for food on wheels, I tracked down this cluster next to The Brig on Abbot Kinney Boulevard in Venice CA. Very tempted by Dogtown Dogs and Barb's Badass Burgers, but had to go with the pork belly at Kogi.

Twice.

Pick Your Church

2011-05-16T14:17:00.000-07:00

As the sun sets in the west (where else?) tall pointy things are silhouetted in the Pawtucket sky. It is amazing how much detail can be seen from a distance and in fading light. Chalk one up for classical architecture. It is doubtful that the shards of today would provide such clear and understandable solids and voids.

Wall of Italian Extraction

2011-05-04T09:07:00.000-07:00

This is a sketch of a photo from Italy, the exact location lost in the mists of time (Venice?Florence?Lucca?). In any case, it exhibits all of the reasons we love Italian architecture and towns so much. Simplicity, proportion, hierarchy, detail, texture and sumptuous surfaces that cry out to caressed, or at least painted.

Nice Knockers!

2011-04-28T09:23:00.000-07:00

Viterbo Italy has ironwork galore, including this fishy knocker above. I'm not sure what the fish are supposed to be balancing on their noses (do fish have noses?), but it keeps them locked in an eternal close-but-not-close-enough embrace.

Borgo San Lorenzo

2011-04-22T08:05:00.000-07:00

The embodied sunshine in the surface of the Villa Pecori Giraldi gives off a warmth even on a chilly day. Home of the Museum of the Chini Manufactures is an homage to Galileo, Chino and Tito Chini, makers of (what else?) china (and other decoratives). Their quasi-Liberty style drew from Austrian and Far East influences and the interior of this Villa is full of decorative wall painting. Belissima!

Holy. Toledo.

2011-04-18T15:45:00.000-07:00

Uno cupola de Convento de Santo Domingo Antiguo. A proud punctuation on the red tile carpet of Toledo. This Convent is El Greco's final resting place (he liked the ladies). We, however, could not rest and kept moving.

Italiano di Scorrimento

2011-04-13T07:39:00.000-07:00

It's Italian! It's a scroll! What more do you need to know?

East Side Trash

2011-04-09T07:18:00.000-07:00

This tall, curvaceous former lamp whispered to me from the alley "Hey, sailor, want to take me home?"
I did, and I did.
Now what do I do with it?

East Side Gables

2011-03-26T09:33:00.000-07:00

At the corner of Governor and George, even with a plethora of gables, this fine English craftsman-like house is a solid citizen of the street.

The Shadow of a Swan

2011-03-24T10:47:00.000-07:00

Late winter light on the front porch. The recent supermoon brought out the real swans on the nearby river. Coincidence? I don't think so.

127 Hours? Sorry, I don't have the time.

2011-03-22T08:32:00.000-07:00

Despite the movie, it would be worth spending that much time enjoying this classic college cinematic retreat. Originally named the Toy Theater, built in 1915, it closed a few years later and was used as a parking garage until 1938, when it became the Avon Cinema. A treasure amongst the mixed-bag of Thayer Street and Brown University.
Good popcorn.

Fish Pawtucket

2011-02-25T09:24:00.000-08:00

Slightly to the right of the cool cat from the previous post is this bumpity, swirly fish/eel thing.
In warmer weather it expectorates into the granite spittoon for thirsty rats to slake their thirst.

Cat Pawtucket

2011-02-23T10:02:00.000-08:00

At the base of a sturdy granite memorial near Slater Mill in Pawtucket, this cool cat makes an offering of water, presumably to its fine feathered friends.

Four the Benefit of Mr. K

2011-02-18T08:19:00.000-08:00

Four Benefit Street in Providence occupies a small wedge at the beginning of the 'mile of history' with its snub nose up against Main Street. However, my eye was drawn to the upper derrière with a jaunty Empire roof that composed the third floor. More curves in a rectilinear Yankee street.

The Benefit of a Bracket

2011-02-16T15:54:00.000-08:00

There are more than one bracket at One Benefit Street in Providence, but it is worth looking at them in a singular manner. The swirly scroll gives a bit of movement to this otherwise prim and proper New England citizen.

Land o' Lincoln

2011-02-14T10:32:00.000-08:00

Lincoln Massachusetts, that is. A Greek Revival church in the snow - white on white. Not much color, but magnificent form.
This church is the byproduct of a split in the the Puritan Orthodoxy leading to the Congregationalist camp and the Unitarian camp. The Unitarians left in a huff and de-camped into their spiffy new building in the late 1840's. It was an appropriate style for a humanistic values group.
Today they have merged back together and are one small happy family.

Run, Forest, Run!

2011-02-11T10:45:00.000-08:00

Although, someone without feet and hands is not going to get too far, probably not even 5 mile per hour. The fetching mermaid perched on the boat-less rudder is certainly worth running the gauntlet of utility poles and beach shacks in this Cape Cod cottage community.

Arch You Glad to See Me?

2011-02-07T11:32:00.000-08:00

Wedged between 3rd & Lex on 47th Street, this little fillip four stories above the fray may not be graceful, but it is most welcome on a walk of mixed bags.

Movin' On Up

2011-02-04T12:48:00.000-08:00

Lots of comings and goings on the street in Soho. Keep moving.

Chanel No. Soho

2011-02-02T09:20:00.000-08:00

Soho never smelled so good (if you like Chanel). Many cast-iron facades were installed over existing building to tart them up and attract new tenants. At one time, the Soho area contained fashionable shops, as well as bordellos. So Chanel is not out of place in the history of the neighborhood.

Soho Cast in Iron

2011-01-31T08:59:00.000-08:00

A tasty little morsel of pig iron slaughtered for the benefit of well-fed urbanism. The table is set and we are ready to eat.

Brown Angell

2011-01-28T10:44:00.000-08:00

After residing peacefully at 147 Angell Street for almost 140 years, Brown University decided the Lippet-Guild house was in the way of where students needed to walk. So up on a trailer it went and moved 450 feet over to the corner of Brown and Angell.

A good save and it looks magnificent in its new, more prominent location. And it was able to get away from the noisy new neighbor of a building by Diller Scofidio, which is not worth sketching.

Liberty from Battery

2011-01-27T10:23:00.000-08:00

A lovely Labor Day in Battery Park, enjoying the jauntiness of the ferry, Lady Liberty, and the distant cranes.

A Salt in Battery

2011-01-25T14:19:00.000-08:00

A non-labored Labor Day stroll along the many parks on the west side of Manhattan starting at the tip in Battery Park. This solid, curved, cut granite bench / light is evidence of civic beauty and practicality. I was temped to linger, but I had many miles to go before I ate, drank and slept.

In-Between in P-Town

2011-01-17T10:02:00.000-08:00

Provincetown on Cape Cod is a unique mash-up of Old Yankees, Portuguese fishermen, taffy-chewing tourists, self-described and actual artists, flamboyant queens and bare-chested steroidal beefcakes. All of this happens on the great parade route of Commercial Street. Unlike new developments on the water, Provincetown turns its ass to the water, initially to put its business end harborside, now to effectively corral the daily circus that traipses its narrow backbone.

Breaking many rules of current design, the street has narrow, cluttered sidewalks, one-way traffic and little on-street parking. But somehow this end-of-the-world party manages to dance its way along, sneaking peaks between the buildings to the eternal blue of liquid and air.

Economic Freedom in Bonet

2011-01-09T13:14:00.000-08:00

In all the words that have been spilled about how Haiti can 'fix' itself, the wisest are about economic self-sufficiency. This has been achieved at various points in the past, but rice subsidies, killing pigs suspected (wrongly) of swine flu, and many other well intentioned schemes have taken away the most basic component of a vibrant Haitian economy - making and selling stuff.

Haitians are great entrepreneurs and should be allowed to sell to each other (and abroad with garment assembly) easily without distortions in the market that make it hard for a rice farmer to compete with cheap Arkansas rice (thanks Prez Clinton - who at least feels bad about it now - and Senator Blanch Lincoln - who must not feel bad because she continues to support this).

One interesting development is making it easy for Haitians to buy and sell things using cell phones (widely used). This makes it safer to not have to carry around cash (which was reported to day as one of the factors in our country of lower rates of crime.

Fond of Parisien

2011-01-07T16:04:00.000-08:00

This sturdy house on a back road of Fond Parsien Haiti represents a rebuke to those who disparage Haitians as unable to build strong houses that are more than shacks. There were many still-standing concrete reinforced houses with excellent verandas and interesting details around windows made with little more than the contrast between smooth and rough stucco and colors of the surrounding hills.

Nestled amongst clusters of cacti and shaded by Dr Suessian trees, this abode would make anyone Fond of this version of Paris.

Cock-a-doodle-don't

2010-12-21T20:16:00.000-08:00

A scrappy rooster strutting around in the rural Haitian village of Gaia. He's the cock of the walk, the top chicken, the main bird. Stay outta his way....

The Mayor of Ganthier

2010-12-18T14:28:00.000-08:00

I stayed with the Mayor, Ralph Lapointe and his three delightful little daughters, for a week in April. It was hot, no electricity, no gas, he had very critical tasks to attend to, but he was completely gracious in welcoming me to his home and town. Here he is holding court in his driveway trying to stay cool in the afternoon breezes.

Several months later his life was in danger by thugs trying to take over large areas of land in his town. The locals demonstrated and Mayor Lapointe went to court, but the battle of ownership is not over. It is a complex issue as much of the paperwork was destroyed in the earthquake. There is a need for new housing, but is shouldn't be on land that is occupied , especially for no compensation. See - http://goo.gl/ORcMO

Gaia in Haiti

2010-12-10T08:38:00.000-08:00

A small rural neighborhood near Fond-Parisien, Gaia certainly has plenty of Mother Nature, if indeed its name comes from the Greek Goddess of Earth. Our truck broke down and we walked (the most common form of transportation) several miles to Fond-Parisien. It was a much better way to see the connection to the earth and the everyday difficulties of survival.

Fond Parisien

2010-12-08T14:52:00.000-08:00

As far as I can tell 'Fond' means essence or soul (at least in French). I'm not sure this village of 20,000 plus would qualify as the essence of Paris, tho perhaps in a much earlier age. It has no electricity, no fresh water, no sewer, and the whole country had been out of gasoline for two weeks. It is inundated with refugees from Port-au-Prince and with walking distance of the Dominican Republic border.

The building above represents the dominant architectural style - Rebar Deco. Many buildings are partially built and most have rebar sticking out of the top to be able to add another story. The earthquake has made multistory structures suspect, so perhaps these sprays of steel will be consigned to history.

Haiti House

2010-12-03T10:06:00.000-08:00

In May I was fortunate to spend a week in Haiti in the town of Ganthier, 15 miles or so east of Port-au-Prince and near the border of Dominican Republic. There was not as much damage from the earthquake here, but there was still evidence of its powerful destructive effect. This stone-built house had several walls demolished, and seemed to be standing more from pride than gravity.

The larger problem in these areas is the influx (or sometimes return) of people from Port-au-Prince and living in camps, some with tents, others just with sheets. My work was to do planning for expanding this town. This will be difficult as 80% of public records for land ownership were destroyed. A perhaps more likely scenario for provision of housing, and especially jobs, might be entirely new towns on land that is clearly owned by the government. This is the hope for a town I designed for 12,000 between Ganthier and Bonnet.

Bristol Ha-bah Mermaid

2010-11-28T13:13:00.000-08:00

Lovely afternoon on a second floor deck overlooking the harbor, SWI (sketching while intoxicated). The mermaid seems to have rather big hair (and small tail). Perhaps she is just dried out.

Safe Harbor

2010-11-11T09:16:00.000-08:00

Sitting in the darkened waters between two piers, this small but elegant boat is a link to larger ships that sail at sea. Wood on a boat, either shellacked or painted, seems to resonate in a harmonious manner with the turbid liquid below.

Not Bristol Palin

2010-11-08T07:30:00.000-08:00

You cannot see Russia from here, but you can see some mighty fine buildings in this harbor town in Rhode Island. Born out of a desire for freedom (at the expense of the natives - King Phillip's War started here), raised with tasteful affluence (on the back of the slave trade), and experiencing a long somnolence of middle age, Bristol today is sprightly mix of WASPs, Italian-Americans, and Azoreans - historically sailors all.

This sweet Greek Revival is but a small sample of the tasty treats this town has to offer.

DinTaiFung

2010-11-05T09:11:00.000-07:00

DinTaiFung, which means.....DinTaiFung (a mashup of two previous stores) is a famous Taiwanese Soup Dumpling Restaurant. A soup dumpling, or Xiaolongbao, is not a dumpling in soup. It is a transcendent dumpling that has soup in it, along with pork or crab or both.

The meat is combined with soup that has been gelled with agar-agar and this soup/meat combination is put into fresh thin dumplings, twisted and the steamed in a bamboo steamer.

Oh. My. God.

I ate at the branch in Beijing and will eat at the branch in LA at Xmas. But for now I am going to lunch at a local place, which is not as good, but will suffice.

The second drawing is of peanut ice, with peanuts on top. Yummy.

Houhai? You High.

2010-11-01T10:50:00.000-07:00

Wandering around the Houhai area of Beijing, bustling with shops, traffic and hordes of non-Mongols, I came upon this coffee house, an island of calm located in a western-chinese hybrid building from the 1890's. The coffee house is in the second floor with exposed beams 'n stuff. Originally these buildings were used as guild houses or brothels and were a mash-up of the grey chinese brick and details with western arches and columns.

Birds Bath

2010-10-21T12:41:00.000-07:00

Beautiful and benign at first glance, this birdbath takes on a slightly sinister air when you notice the birds that have linked wings waiting to ambush any unsuspecting nuthatch peacefully splashing about.

Miss Worcester Diner

2010-10-18T07:18:00.000-07:00

Lost in Worcester ('Wooo-ster') MA, the second largest city in New England, I came across the Worcester Lunch Car #812, or as she is know to her boys, Miss Worcester Diner. Built in 1948, she didn't get far from home, as the factory was across the street. The Worcester Lunch Car Company produced 651 'fancy night cafes' between 1906 and 1957.

While never married, she still looks great for 62, and still puts out hot lunches to grateful Worcesterians.

Two by Two Silos

2010-10-10T07:40:00.000-07:00

Part of the Los Poblanos Farm and former Dairy, these twin sentinels converse silently amongst the fracas of the farmyard.

Farm Livin'

2010-10-07T08:52:00.000-07:00

From the dairy area of Los Poblanos in Los Ranchos de Albuquerque. This is the original site of Creamland Dairies and was started by Albert Simms and Ruth Hanna McCormick, both members of Congress in the 20's and 30's. It is being renovated to extend the Los Poblanos Inn and agricultural operations.

Book Learnin'

2010-09-24T09:32:00.000-07:00

Another meeting at the Dennis School House (a voluminous structure built in 1770) on endless revisions to their zoning code for Cottage Communities. I am not trying to make a statement about the quality of education sinking, just representing what I would see if my head was on the desk before I slipped into a drool-worthy sleep, as I did many times in my youth.

Have a Cow, Man.

2010-09-20T10:20:00.000-07:00

North Main Street in Providence is not where you expect to find a cow, even a plastic one. It has appeared as a representation of the products served just inside at a new slider joint. The sliders are good, tho I would prefer a larger portion of the said cow, rather than the little circular veneers on buns.

I Go to Luogo

2010-09-05T08:44:00.000-07:00

South Luogo Lane to the northeast of the Forbidden City has been around since 1267 and has recently been hip-ified. Mexican cafes, Tibetan yougurt shops, t-shirt shops with images of Comrade Obama cater to both Chinese and Western tourists. But the feeling of the place is maintained by its dimensions - 12 feet building to building and mostly one story construction.

Good Foo

2010-08-13T06:15:00.000-07:00

AS 220 is a community arts space in Downcity Providence that is celebrating its 25th anniversary on August 14th at the annual FooFest. Foo(d) is also AS220's restaurant next to their always friendly bar.

Foo is short for both food and fool, as in "I pity the poor foo."

Drummmm drum drum-drum.

2010-07-25T11:40:00.000-07:00

An after-hours tour of the Drum Tower in Beijing. Amazing steep stairs to the top, huge-ass drums to keep the time, and a panoramic view of the Capital City.

What I remember - an unusually large rubber ducky at the entrance gate.

Temple Grounds

2010-07-21T09:02:00.000-07:00

Another view of the temple/scholars complex where disconsolate failed test-takers could throw themselves from the well-carved bridge into three feet of carp-infested waters.

A Random Corner

2010-07-06T12:38:00.001-07:00

Nothing to see here - keep moving.

A Pagoda

2010-07-02T07:59:00.000-07:00

Not to be confused with Abe Vigoda, the Ran Deng Sarira (Burning Lamp Buddist Relic) Pagoda is the tallest in the Beijing area (150+ feet). The base shown in this view is a Sumeru (mythic mountain considered the center of the universe) pedestal with lotus leaves. This is now to be the real center of a new city core area.

What would Abe think?

China Moon

2010-06-29T09:12:00.000-07:00

Moongates have always looked to me like a large ball or a very fat, very round person has crashed through a wall, ala Tom and Jerry cartoons.

This one in the Tongzhou temple complex allows for plenty of elbow room on your way to the pagoda.

Chine Ease

2010-06-21T08:38:00.000-07:00

This temple complex was a place of great terror - Confucian scholars would come here to take their examinations. It is next to Randeng Pagoda, a 50 meter high stone pagoda that doubled as a lighthouse for the beginning of the Grand Canal.

Today there is no test required, just enjoyment.

5 Traverse Gallery

2010-06-18T08:10:00.000-07:00

A teeny building (350 sf) that had had many incarnations, this one a very nice gallery that unfortunately had only a two year cycle of life.

May it be reborn in even greater brilliance.

The Benefit of a Curve

2010-05-31T10:38:00.000-07:00

This house on Benefit Street in Providence does not curve as I have drawn it. Sometimes I use my Iphone to help frame the sketches I am doing and occasionally it warps the photo.

I like to think that this is what the house would look like if it could dance.

Don't Stop!

2010-05-28T08:56:00.000-07:00

Thinkin' about tomorrow, as well as not running into that nice building. Once a bank built in the 19th century and well located as a terminus for Walden Street in Concord, it now is a temple for foot shodding.

Looking for Good Food?

2010-05-24T08:29:00.000-07:00

Then you will be happy to know that this is where they serve good food, as opposed to bad or great. I wonder if they just had the 'good' sign, then added 'food', then 'served' and finally 'here' to make their intentions clear.

I cannot verify that the food was good here, tho I can confirm that I did see food. I had a double espresso and rocketed out of there.

Stacked!

2010-05-05T13:02:00.000-07:00

Smokestacked, that is. This former mill in West Concord no longer belches out smoke, jut hot air from the conference rooms of the offices within.

Nearly Brown

2010-04-25T08:34:00.000-07:00

Actually, this fine Greek Revival is only near Brown University, but it is nearly dark grey. I just happen to think it looks better white. So there.

Two Poles Walked into a Bar

2010-04-16T09:31:00.001-07:00

Two different place. Two different poles. Same vertical excitement.

The one on the left is in Durham NH in front of a barn/fraternity in downtown. The one one the right is near my house in Blackstone Park looking across the mighty Seekonk River to the fetchingly charming gas tanks.

Two Towers

2010-04-14T11:13:00.000-07:00

Richmond Square is a renovated industrial office complex on the east side of Providence near the Seekonk River and my house. This was the last flurry of activity in Providence before one crossed the old Red Bridge to East Providence (different from east side Providence). The old Red Bridge was torn down and a new highway size bridge built just to the north with the intention of adding a highway through the east side, destroying untold historic properties.

Thankfully this did not happen, and we have nice places to work and eat and a bridge to nowhere.

More Fat Cats

2010-04-07T10:02:00.000-07:00

Located next to The Tackle Shop, these porcine pussies appear to be waiting for some surplus bait to end up in their ample laps.

Two Fat Cat-a-tonics

2010-04-03T09:43:00.000-07:00

Located in Portland Maine's gourmet gulch, this bakery oddly does not make baked good for, or out of, cats.

25th Anniversary Dance

2010-03-01T08:01:00.000-08:00

A sketch last fall for my lovely bride of two exuberant Japanese cranes. They are said to mate for life.

How long do they live?

What's the Point?

2010-02-05T09:34:00.000-08:00

This utility-tethered house comes to an especially sharp point on its corner. Located in Essex New Hampshire, the river, mill pond, bridge and Main Street all conspire to distort the lot that this building must fit itself into, coming to rest in the form of a rhomboid.

A Parking Garage By Any Other Name

2010-01-25T16:09:00.000-08:00

For those who don't believe a parking garage can be beautiful, behold exhibit A.

Santa Barbara has a strong design code that requires at least a basic Spanish Colonial architecture. But this excellent vehicle of design, found on the top floor of a Public Parking Garage, drove by plebeian parking spaces to swing into a more challenging but sublime resting place.

Up in the Air

2010-01-18T08:22:00.000-08:00

From the 'let's just toss our shit up in the air' era, this decommissioned chimney makes an emphatic punctuation point in the millish town of Lowell MA - San Gimignano on the Merrimack.

Goose Walk

2009-12-31T09:44:00.000-08:00

Codman Farm in Lincoln Ma is a community-owned farm that my mother-in-law is involved in. This more detailed than usual sketch is a gift to her, and is an illustration of the constant parade of geese, chickens, pigs, lambs and people that perambulate around the farmyard.

Arsenalia

2009-12-24T07:20:00.001-08:00

A surprising military presence on Benefit Street, this 1840 gothicky fortress was home to the Providence Marine Corps of Artillery. The building looks great for pouring boiling oil and squeezing of shots through the gun slits, but not so great for firing off canons.

Slice 'o Steeple

2009-12-21T15:47:00.000-08:00

Belonging to the First Baptist Church in America, founded in 1636 by that troublemaker Roger Williams, this particular church was built in 1775. It is based on an engraving of the Marylebone Chapel by James Gibbs. Topping out at 185 feet, the steeple seems quite happy to see me.

Nurture vs Nature

2009-12-17T17:56:00.000-08:00

Home on the range in late fall, with the past-its-prime, guy-wired and cosseted birch tree giving up its leaves once more. Perhaps next year it will succumb to age and gravity.

Walking on Thanksgiving day in Great Meadow Nature Refuge (normally I would refuse to walk in a refuge), nature still required nurturing, as evidenced by the boardwalk, metal drain and invasive plants waiting for spring cleaning.

Chez Truck

2009-12-13T09:17:00.000-08:00

My new favorite lunch place. Hetwin's Dogs Mobile is a free-range outpost of Chez Pascal in Providence - a wonderful local food restaurant. The metal casing of the truck is the holder of all types of house made tube-type products. The best sandwich is the pork belly sandwich with a very fresh over easy egg - my mouth is watering just thinking about it.

Nice granite building across the street to rest my eyes on as I wait in high anticipation.

Farm Post

2009-12-11T15:23:00.001-08:00

A lonely granite post, not living up to its potential as a supporter of rails.

Round Top Barn

2009-12-09T15:53:00.000-08:00

We started our Damariscotta charrette out in this barn the first night, but cold weather drove us to the farmhouse for the rest. Sunny but cold end of October.

Red Caboose Diner

2009-12-02T12:06:00.000-08:00

An escaped caboose whose resting place conveniently ended at the sidewalk of Main Street in Whitefish MT. Oddly enough named the Red Caboose Diner, it beckoned me with a lurid red sign shouting "Eat Here". Sadly, I did not.

All the News that Fits

2009-11-30T11:38:00.000-08:00

The Depot stands resolutely against the infiltration of the Fourth Estate detritus, making the news line up for tickets like everyone else.

Glacial Bus

2009-11-25T15:29:00.000-08:00

The old bus that used to take people from the Whitefish Train Depot to Glacier National Park. Streamline............

SwiftCreek Cafe

2009-11-23T12:50:00.000-08:00

From a trip this summer to Kalispell MT. Classical meets the mountains.

Fox Point

2009-11-19T08:28:00.000-08:00

On South Water Street in Providence, a random collection of buildings and detritus. The new bridge over the hurricane barrier is in the distance.

Pemaquid Point Ice Cream

2009-11-09T07:48:00.001-08:00

Slightly to the right of the last view - ice cream!

Pemaquid Point

2009-10-31T11:27:00.000-07:00

While a stunning view of the rocks and water of the Maine coast resides ninety degrees to the right, my eye rests on a more mundane, easier to capture, slice of Maine life.

CAV-a-leer

2009-10-20T13:52:00.001-07:00

Entrance to the courtyard of the restaurant CAV as the sun goes down on Providence.

CAV Courtyard-a-rama

2009-10-18T11:43:00.000-07:00

A late afternoon meal in the courtyard of CAV, located in Providence's Jewelry District, surrounded by Jerry's Art-a-rama.

Grain Silos 2

2009-10-14T09:29:00.000-07:00

Another view of grain silos in Kalispell Montana.

Grain Silos

2009-10-08T08:31:00.000-07:00

Concrete grain silos, metal quonset hut and brick warehouse in Kalispell Montana - utilitarian structures all and each beautiful in their own way.

Mid Coast Maine

2009-10-01T06:26:00.000-07:00

Simple farmhouse in East Boothbay, with a bay (but no booth) out the back.

Whitefish Depot

2009-09-29T15:15:00.000-07:00

The Great Northern Railway Passenger and Freight Depot and Division Office (or the Whitefish Depot) is a Tudor Revival station that wandered into the wilds of Montana. Designed in 1927 by Thomas D'Arcy McMahon (French-Irish?), it provided a certain visual weight to counterbalance the mountains around and matched the Swiss-ish chalets in Glacier Park nearby.

Whitefish House

2009-09-27T08:27:00.000-07:00

A simple house in Whitefish Montana with interesting post capitals/brackets. Located on a one block 'boulevard', this is the best residential neighborhood DNA in Whitefish, and should be replicated.

Tug/Greek

2009-09-14T14:37:00.000-07:00

In Boothbay Harbor Maine, this tug has apparently beached itself on the shore and has hundreds of diners pouring in and out of it. Must have been a lobster tug based on the color. Further east in East Boothbay (would be a problem if it was further west) , roofs, pediments, moldings, doors and windows are all crashing into each other flaunting their alignments and proportions, leaving us the beneficiaries of their wanton display.