#134 Midtown Skyline

(click image for large version) Katrine and Anton have moved apartment now but this was the view from their old one back in 2008? 8th Avenue (on the left) was the dividing line between my home (over on 9th) and my work (in Times Square.)

The evening drew in as I sketched (it was around 7pm), the city lights came on, and Anton came home from work at the bank overseeing computer systems that traded esoteric financial instruments at the speed of light. Apparently, there was a guy in the building opposite who did yoga naked every day in front his window - such is New York!

#136 May Blossom by the Reservoir in Central Park

(click image for large version) There is beautiful a row of trees that get May blossom on the East side of Reservoir in Central Park in the high 80's and low 90's. It's a marvelous sight while it lasts, which is not long. The bridle path is smack bang in the middle between the 6-mile loop - the main roadway - out of picture to the right, and the 1.57 mile path round the reservoir - out of picture to the left. I love running them both. This was sketched in 2006 and finished 5 years later!

#135 By The River on The Upper West Side in the 60's

(click image for large version) Julie and I walked out on the pier. It must have been oh, 3 years ago, in 2008 I think. It was very cold and two ducks waddled along next to each other, a couple were doing some calisthenics and a homeless man was walking backwards. It was so cold that I actually agreed to wear a spare hat that Julie had brought. I love that pier. On weekday mornings I run to the end of it. On weekend evenings I sometimes walk Zoe to the end of it.

#133 Hunters Gate (West Side of Central Park)

(click image for large version) I started working to work in 2011. In the past I had only done that when the subway had problems and then, I would hurry the most direct way - 24 blocks down Broadway. But over the Spring and Summer this year I came to enjoy and appreciate the walk over to the park and through it. It was marvelous to walk through woods and along gritty paths, looking at flowers and hearing the birds on the way to a midtown Manhattan office.

#132 St. Michael's Mount

(click image for large version) Mum and Dad and I went down to Marazion and walked across the causeway. I think I'm finally at the age where I could sit and watch the sea and not think of it as "boring." Goodness, some of the things I thought as a kid now seem so ridiculous!

#131 Carlisle Place from Victoria Station (from Spring 2008)

(click image for large version) If there was a center of gravity to my London living from 1986 to 1993 it was Victoria Station. I worked near here for years, I lived on Carlisle Place (in the picture) for years, and I took buses and trains from here thousands of times. I used to get the Sunday newspaper from here at midnight on a Saturday.

Now Mark, my best friend, and his wife (Victoria!) live on the same street that I used to, but in grander accommodation. I had my first London "date" at a Pizza Hut nearby in 1984. This was the beginning and end point of my morning runs. Pete's Costa Coffee is just across the street. Abbey National is just up the street. This was truly "home" when I lived there.

I can't believe it took so long to finish this one - three years!

#130 walking through Central Park on my way to work

Well, it's been three and a half years since I finished a watercolor. And what a three and a half years it was-- I started a business, got engaged, moved in with my fiance and we had a baby.

This was last Wednesday. There are frustrations at work and I took half an hour to sketch. I've been living up at 81st Street for over 2 years now and just recently, since Spring has sprung, I have started walking to work regularly. I guess without thinking, I got used to charging to the subway and zipping three stops to work. But walking is relaxing and gives you time to think or just mentally drift. It's 3 Avenues over to the Park then 20 blocks down the bridle path tucked under the West wall of the Park. Marvelous weather for a mile and a half stroll; sunny yet still a little chilly but comfortable, not cold, and not yet humid (that'll come next month.) There are a few runners and walkers on the bridle path but its not too busy - almost like a walk in the woods. Lovely. I'd love to believe I'll start producing watercolors again more regularly but we'll have to see...