THE 

ADVENTURE 

BEGINS

Just over two weeks ago, we left Kat and Cleo on our doorstep and headed to the airport with four vinyl bags, two rolling suitcases, two backpacks, and a couple of personal  items. Next stops Frankfurt, then Porto. twenty-four hours of traveling across the Atlantic means a lot of time in airports watching, waiting, and sketching. 

We had a four hour layover in Frankfurt, so there was plenty of time with only a handful of subjects. This guy was kind enough to remain relatively still.

In spite of TSA issues across the country, security lines at Denver Airport were remarkably quick, so we had a lot of time at the gate.

Our first floor (second floor in the USA) overlooks Rua de Santa Catarina, a pedestrian street in central Porto. We are on the northernmost block, so pedestrian traffic is lighter than the three blocks to the south, and virtually non-existent in the early morning. We are close to the Atlantic and the Douro River, so the seagulls and pigeons are in a constant struggle for food scraps and territory. The street is cobblestone and sidewalks are black and white paving stones.

  

    

We joined up with an expat group to meet English-speaking folks. This is with the creative group for chatting,  snacks, and cocktails in a dark room. Of course, nobody stops moving except the stuff on the table.

Unpacking, finding stores and all of the odds and ends to be able to live relatively normally, there hasn't been a lot of time to draw. We have been able to get out and explore the city and enjoy the culture and flavor. 

This is the Ribeira neighborhood, overlooking the Douro River withGaia across the river. UIt was a nice place to take a seat, have a snack, and watch the people.

We have been lucky to have clear days and unseasnally warm weather. On one of the rainy days, I went into my images folder and did some pencil and ink shading studies.

At this point we haven't yet got desks so I have not been able to get my gear set up for painting. We hope to have that set up by the end of the month and settle in to a more leisurely routine.