Friday 2 September 2011

A Secret Place



The next few pages for the Sketchbook Project 2012.    My theme is Encyclopedia of ... Secret Places.


This is one of my favourite secret places, not far from where I live, but you have to stand on tip toe to see it from the road.
This old 17th century villa is falling apart.  It's windows are bricked up and is missing  most of it's shutters but it's still lovely, especially in the late afternoon when shadows fall over the front.


19 comments:

Vicki Holdwick said...

Lovely Cathy,

I'd love to be able to take a walk and see what you see,

xoxo

Timaree said...

It sure looks like a lovely spot.

Studio at the Farm said...

Cathy, great theme for your sketchbook. I look forward to seeing more secret places!

Unknown said...

More wonderful work. This is going to be a most amazing book. Shame there isn't a lot more pages.

bettyfromtexas said...

Wonderful additions to your Sketchbook Project book! I love the charm of the places you so beautifully capture!

martinepittet said...

So southern, so golden looking and serene ! Wonderful pages !
You've done a wonderful job witht awful paper ! I shoud really start doing something with my sketchbook !!

Unknown said...

Your project is coming along great. I love the subject matter ~ it is a lovely interpretation :D

Gillian Mowbray said...

Guess they won't be secret places any more. LOL. These are a delight - they speak of warm sunshine and the drowsy hum of bees. Sigh. x

A.Marie said...

Your work is truly lovely. I really like the theme of your journal. Looking forward to more secret places.

Cathy Holtom said...

Gillian - It's more the noisy scrape of a cicala and mosquito bites! x

Dan Kent said...

I tried to leave a comment yesterday, but my cell phone zapped it. Anyway, I can't imagine what it is like to have such beautiful ruins near your house! How wonderful - and a great portrayal. I really love the shapes of the trees going down the hill.

Anonymous said...

It's sad to see such a wonderful old building falling into ruins - but it had provided you with a wonderful subject for your work!

Jim Bumgarner said...

Wow, these are very nice! Looking forward to more.

Sasa Saastamoinen said...

you captured the place beautifully, I feel like have been there myself.

Unknown said...

Secret places... what a great theme! This secret place is a wonderful painting! I'm also mesmerized by the butterfly below! Wow! Those browns and grays and greens are incredible!

nanke's stuff said...

How lovely, and how lucky you are to have such a wonderful secret place to visit! You did your usual beautiful job with it!! nancy

Alex said...

such beautiful pages Cathy =) definitely makes me wish that I could visit Italy someday

Lucia B. said...

Beautiful sketches, Cathy! I especially like the first, I can easily imagine the scene of you on tip toe looking at this beautiful half ruined place... You have let us feel the magic of it!

Anonymous said...

Lovely pages - and those cypress trees definitely spell Italy to me now!
Sue