Welcome to Armchair Travels, an invitation to travel around the world through the reportage illustration of Studio 1482.We have gathered art from our travels to share with you in the hopes that, while you can’t get out and see these places (yet), our experiences may bring some happiness and light to your day. Please check back often as we will be posting new adventures weekly.
Five years ago, thanks to a very good friend, I had the opportunity to visit northern France. We stayed in a small port town called Honfleur. I had not heard of it, but once seen, I understood why many artists including Courbet and Monet had traveled there to paint it.
Saint Etienne Church
No matter where you turn there are picturesque buildings, boats, and so much beauty in the details. We only spent 2 nights there so I “braved” a chilly rainy morning to make this series of black and white drawings. I had to. I remember sharing the early morning with only a cat. There was quite a bit of action at the local bars and restaurants the night before so I guess everyone had slept in.
View of Sainte-Catherine church, the largest church made out of wood in France
Port d’Honfleur
Leaving Honfluer was only tolerable as we were on our way to Mont Saint-Michel. This place is a fairy tale. I can’t imagine there is another place on earth like it. Its abbey appears to be literally reaching for God.
Make a plan to visit northern France, it is magical.
Mont Saint-Michel
To see more Armchair Travels from the reportage artists of Studio 1482, please click HERE.
Welcome to Armchair Travels, an invitation to travel around the world through the reportage illustration of Studio 1482.We have gathered art from our travels to share with you in the hopes that, while you can’t get out and see these places (yet), our experiences may bring some happiness and light to your day. Please check back often as we will be posting new adventures weekly.
In August of 2009 I traveled to the Greece, visiting the islands of Crete and Santorini, as well as spending a few days in Athens. My wife is Greek-American and much of her family lives in Crete. Through our years together I’d heard countless stories about everything from the smell of bread baking in the early morning to the blue sea just steps from her Yiayia’s home.
The village was a new experience for me. Visually it was both everything I imagined and things I had not considered. The streets and buildings felt like they grew there and had always been, but the modern world and the demands of tourism in the 21st century had definitely begun to impose themselves on even this smallest of communities. Turn your head one way and see the most beautiful flora and deep blue sea and turn back around for a small internet café and car rental parking lot.
A main village road. Cafés, bakeries, etc.
Bouzouki player at summer festival
Boats sit in the small River Xydas, Kalyves, Crete
From there it was on to the magical island of Santorini. An island, more specifically a caldera, or volcanic crater! Aside from the cliffs dotted with white washed homes that look like candy, I remember so clearly the sound…or lack of it. At the top of the caldera where most of the dwellings are, you are basically up in the sky. A vast, silent sky.
Returning to Crete before departing out of Athens we spent a long day in the capital city of Chania. Throughout its history the city has been occupied by the Venetians, Ottomans and Greeks. The architecture reflects this in the most beautiful way. You can just draw buildings all day! Again, the balance of old and new exists here as well. There are many beautiful restaurants and bars lining the waterfront.
On our way home we stopped to see the many sites in Athens. Among them, of course, the Acropolis and Parthenon. I’ll leave you with this last drawing made before my trek to the top.
To see more Armchair Travels from the reportage artists of Studio 1482, please click HERE.
I recently received my printed copy of the Premier Sotheby’s Privileged Access brochure. I was commissioned to illustrate the brochure late last year, and while it took a long time to get to production, I think the final piece looks great. The team at Strada were great to work with and I love what they did with the design and layout.
