Bulgaria: Rila Monastery to Plovdiv

Today I made a number of sketches in the bus as we drove between Rila Monastery and Plovdiv, Bulgaria's second city which is home to many artists.  You can probably tell the road was bumpy.  We had a wine tasting at Bessa Valley wines which was delicious.  I also painted an icon from St Alexander Nevski cathedral (St Andrew).  Always helps to have a sketchbook when photos aren't allowed.

Sofia, Bulgaria

I spent the day exploring Sofia and recording what I saw in my sketchbook.
I also went to the lovely Absinthe Aquarelle Gallery to see the water colors.  I'd write down the names of the artists I liked but unfortunately I don't have a Cyrillic keyboard!  There were many beautiful works and the woman working in the gallery said that there is no one style of Bulgarian watercolor, but everyone seems to do their own thing.  Nothing wrong with that.

Angel from a fresco in the St Alexsandr Nevski cathedral.  No photos allowed so you need to draw!

My name in Cyrillic and the welcome flower from the tour director 

St George's rotunda, hidden in a Stalinist baroque courtyard behind the President's office, and the oldest church in Bulgaria.

Statue of St Clement, father of the Cyrillic alphabet.

Heather Ridge Farm, Thomas Cole's house, and the Catskills

View from Thomas Cole's house porch. They have wonderful contemporary art exhibits on display.

Hancock Shaker Village

I went to Hancock Shaker Village for their baby animal festival in May.  Here is what I got:

The round barn

Animals friends