watching it flow by us. From our balcony we've been taking in the
comings and goings of the Bosphorus, the clouds parting, and the
lights twinkling on. Plein-air painting in a city can be tough--
packing up your rig, hiking through the city, and often setting up in
a spot where others are seeking the view too. So we sometimes hole
up and work from the 'home studio'.
That said, we've been taking in the city. We went to the oldest
Hamam (bath) in the city, built 1584, to see the spectacle of the
Turkish Bath. We explored the Grand Bazar, as well as Arasta Bazar.
Judy and I have also had fun getting to know our neighborhood well.
It has a great feel-- full of artists and directors and such. Nice
little restaurants. Sometimes it is like a parallel 'cool' universe
to Silverlake or some other industry neighborhood. Except everyone
speaks Turkish (which, by the way, is really to tough to learn).
I've been working on a painting of the local fruit stand. After a
few days of working, I became sort of a fixture on the scene.. people
would stop to say hi, poke their heads out of a window offering tea,
roll me a cigarette.. pretty funny. or ask why their flower shop was
not in the painting... Once people here see you as a local (even if
it is for a week) they open up. We've also been working on a couple
paintings near the Blue Mosque. Again, a more touristy area, but
once the local cafe recognized us we were welcomed like locals
(permit me my delusions).
Mostly it is just painting, cooking, eating, watching. What the
doctor ordered.
Love from Istanbul
Kenny
(pics-- Painting at Blue Mosque, Local cafe "Cuppa", Judy painting
down the street from the flat, morning 'commute')
