from my sketchbook ~ around the house in an accordion sketchbook

BeBop sniffs approval

I got this gorgeous hand painted Talavera pitcher in Mexico City, on my recent trip. (I still want to use the design inspiration of the painted design, on fabric too.)

a toy VW

the little car and the angle I was drawing it was difficult!

I'm trying out a new little 4x6 inch sketchbook. It's a Sennelier Urban Sketchbook. It's not made for watercolor, so you can't scrub the page at all. But otherwise, it takes watercolor quite well. 

It's a great little size for a trip! I'll be using it on my Montreal/Quebec City destination workshop retreat, in June and all the students will receive one, for the trip. 

Drawing and inking one day

I'm working on this journal in my home studio, incase you were wondering.  Seems like my desk is always covered with too much stuff! But when I want to sit down and draw, I'm not in the mood to clean my desk.

painted the next day 

in progress

still in progress

I have a few more images I want to add, and even try painting on the backside, to see if it will take it. Plus, I'll add some journaling and words. I'll show you when I'm done!

My Mexico Journal ~ a little video

Watch this short video of the journal I created for my trip to Mexico City and Puebla.

You can see more about my trip on these blog posts: 

Visit to Mexico City!
Mexico City: Frida and Diego's
Mexico City: Art Museums
Mexico City: The murals of Diego Rivera
Puebla, Mexico
Patterns and Design in Mexico

My husband and me at Frida and Diego's Blue House

Here are the links so you can plan your trip!
Mexico City
The Red Tree House B&B, Condesa (FANTASTIC)
Merotoro restaurant, Condesa (very good)
Museo del Palacia de Bellas Artes (murals. amazing. do not miss)
Soumaya Museum (incredible collection. do not miss)
La Capital restaurant, Condesa (we ate there twice)
Museo National de Antopologia  (all day venture, with lunch on the patio. do not miss)
Museo Frida Kahlo Casa Azul (Frida and Diego's house. duh, do not miss. make advance reservations)
Museo Diego Rivera Anahuacalli (amazing building. architect: Rivera)
Murals de Diego Rivera Secretary of Education Building (Diego fans do not miss)

Netouring with guide Kuny. (Private tour and bus)

Puebla

Mesones Sacristia  (small hotel, perfect location, with excellent food)

Talavera de la Reyna (gorgeous quality talavera pottery-there's a factory nearby, but it's closed on Sundays)

Museo Amparo (ultra-modern museum with great upstairs cafe view)

Hotel Royale (Azotea ~3rd floor for drinks and the view)

St Maria Tonatzintla cathedral (like no other you've ever seen!)

Manos de la Tierra (jewelry store)

Carlos Rivero Tours (tour guide and transportation)

Beautiful Charleston, South Carolina

My wonderful students and me. Angel Oak, South Carolina

We had a wonderful time on my sketching and watercolor tour with Arts & Cultural Travel. It's a new company affiliation, for me, and an excellent one!!

In context!  Angel Oak, South Carolina (photo by Sharon Blomgren)

We were in Charleston, South Carolina, for a week, staying at a beautiful hotel in the historic district.

Morning sunrise on the Atlantic, view from our room

Charleston wall (photo by Jane LaFazio)

Me demoing on the street, in Charleston

As always, on my trips, we draw and paint on location. We spent an afternoon, perched on a cement wall, drawing the comings and goings of the carriages. They are all over Charleston, giving tours, but this location was the pick up spot. So, the carriages would stay in place longer, as they waited for passengers.

We learned so much! We talked to the drivers, to an owner of a carriage line, and we overheard all kinds of fascinating conversations! Sitting and drawing is such a wonderful way to actual BE in the place you are, and experience it fully.

A page from my sketchbook ~ Charleston, SC

Since carriages and horses were constantly coming and going, I love drawing just the details of the scene. And it really helps one see the details you'd otherwise miss.

Yours Truly

Charleston Tea Plantation

We had a wonderful tour of Charleston Tea Plantation, giving by the owner, Bill. He's such a character! Plus, we learned all about tea production (Black, Herb and Oolong tea all comes from the SAME plant!) and that this plantation is the ONLY tea plantation in America.

touring the Charleston Tea Plantation

Bill, owner, and founder of Charleston Tea Plantation, and me

A walking tour of the gardens of Historic Charleston

The historic homes, and gardens and flower window boxes, of Charleston are beautiful. We took a walking tour and went into a couple of the private gardens.

Garden of Charleston

Garden of Charleston

Garden of Charleston

Don's lunch of Shaved Catfish... from Poogan's Porch

Everyone says Charleston is a food town. So True! Two of my favorite places were Slightly North of Broad and Magnolias.  

Next up is Montreal and Quebec City! Join Arts & Cultural Travel and me!

Join me on my next adventure!
Montreal and Quebec City, June 6-11

Original mono-prints! for sale in my JaneVille Etsy Shop.

Monoprint art quilts by Jane LaFazio

These are original monoprinted cloth, and all hand stitched and embroidered by me. 

Ready to hang with the charming attached hanger. Quilt measures 14 by 6.5.
(Hanger is sewn on and adds 3.5 inches to the total height ~with hanger 17.5 x 6.5 inches)

FOR SALE in my JANEVILLE ETSY SHOP!  Wouldn't one made a fine mother's day gift for you or yours?

Cellular Workings (14x6.5 inches) by Jane LaFazio $65.

Jelly Beans (14x6.5 inches) by Jane LaFazio $65.

Moonrise (14x6.5 inches) by Jane LaFazio $65

Moonrise Shadow (14x6.5 inches) by Jane LaFazio $65

Window Boxes in Charleston, South Carolina

I just returned from teaching a destination retreat in beautiful Charleston, South Carolina. What a delightful city! (I'll post more photos and my illustrated journal in the coming days)

It's definitely spring in Charleston and the whole city is green and in bloom! I was particularly fascinated with the window boxes. Truly an art form. Many matched their house and shutter color to the flowers and you can tell they were well thought out arrangements.  

Well, I'm off to my local nursery to stock up on flowers for our front yard!

Every city has something beautifully distinctive... I wonder what surprises I'll discover on my Montreal/Quebec City destination art retreat. Join me!

Patterns and design in Mexico

an ancient map

All photos taken by me with my iphone in Mexico.