Some things never change. I did this painting after my first trip to Italy in 1989. Still the same magical place.

I gave a very intense sketching lesson this morning at the Victor Emanuel monument. There are so many sculptures here that the building looks like a fancy wedding cake. The possible compositions for sketching are endless, but we had to sketch quickly as the Polizia do not allow you to sit down anywhere on the…

My workshop artists blend pretty well on the streets of Rome until we stop to sketch. You'd think folks in Italy had seen artists sketching before, but many people stop and watch as if we are the tourist attraction. It's fun to study the curious observers. Today was an awesome day of sketching in Rome!

The natural tendency to clump together, face forward and say cheese does not always result in the most interesting group photo. Every now and then I get lucky and catch a moment like this one, which ironically occurred moments after the clump together/say cheese moment.

The Piazza di Spagna is still a happening place to hang out and watch sunset. Teenagers collect here at night and keep it interesting long after the sun fades. It is a great place to people-watch any time of day. My workshop will make a stop here tomorrow to practice quick- sketching people as they…

It was destiny when I tossed my first coin in the Trevi fountain 20 years ago. I've been back to Rome several times since and this piazza never gets boring. We had the best gelato in the world at the fountain for lunch today. Two of Rome's best gifts at once!

Some of the simplest gestures can make any experience better. I love the unexpected, even if it is obvious. We've consumed gallons of cappuccino as a group since we've been in Rome, but this was the best round.

It took only 2 shots of expresso to climb to the top of the cupola of St Peter's bassilica. Little did I know, but they sold expresso on the vatican roof! Our group of 16 keeps getting splintered as nobody has cell service, and free wireless is difficult to find. Communication amongst the group is…

Doesn't get much more Italy than Vatican City. I can't believe I was in China three weeks ago! Not only am I experiencing culture shock, but my jetlag has taken on a punchy side. My workshop students are all giddy with Italy fever and are tramping all over Rome tonight, eating and drinking and probably…

Cloud nine can't be far from here! As we're packing to leave for Italy I got news that "Jazz in Blues" won Best of Show at the Keystone National 2008 Juried Works on Paper Exhibition in Pennsylvania. Turning 40 has been awesome!