old stone bridge in pocket moleskine
November Theme Challenge! The contents of a trashcan
latest updates: bridge
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2010Apr 270
tags: bridge -
2010Jan 5
tags: bridge | Mostar | Neretva | night | old bridge | watercolour
Mostar old bridge at night – watercolour on a “large” WCB
For daylight pic refer here: http://www.skineart.com/art/9831/old-bridge-–-mostar-derwent-rexel-sof/#comments -
2009Dec 31
tags: bridge | river | Sarajevo | snow | tram | view | watercolour
Another view from my window – Snow in the early evening of St Nicolas day 19-12-09 (according to Julian/Orthodox calendar).
Rene, that’s another one for your friend. What you see is about 500 years old Latin Bridge – the place where, by assassination of Franz Ferdinand, the World War I started 95.5 years ago.
Other views from the same window:http://www.skineart.com/art/9026/quiz-viewthis-is-the-one-i-promissed/#comments
http://www.skineart.com/art/10596/a-view-from-my-living-room-through-the/#comments
Watercolour on an A4.
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2009Dec 26
tags: bridge | brush | drawing | duck | eyes | ink
Technical ink sketch that turned into unexpected direction.
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2009Oct 30
tags: bridge | car | city | Delft | oldtimer | Vermeer | watercolour
Delft – the birthplace of Vermeer
and my second hometown – Rembrandt watercolour on a “large” watercolour Moly… -
2009Oct 12
tags: bridge | Mostar | old | old bridge | photopaint
Mostar-Old Bridge with some annotations and photo-paint alternation…
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2009Oct 1
tags: bridge | Mostar | old bridge | pastel | river | sketchbook
Old Bridge – Mostar, Derwent-Rexel soft pastel pencils on a large sketchbook.
This one is dedicated to Bob, for two reasons:
1. Being a man of (written) word, I bet he’d be among few who would read through this (longest so far) story of mine,
2. He demanded once: “I really like the way the red roofs complement the green in the surrounding trees. More like this please!” – So, here is more…
So, this one is for you Bob (and I duly expect one-up from you – Even if you didn’t like it…)
Now, this is an “Old Bridge” (Stari most) in Mostar, the city some 130 km south from Sarajevo, on the way to the Adriatic coast. Some photos and background info you can find here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stari_most
Still, I’ll emphasise some interesting facts and legends. The bridge was built, from 1557-1566, by Persian-born Ottoman Architect Hayrudin, upon the location of even older scary hanging bridge. The city derives its name from the bridge passing fee collectors called “mostars”. Hayrudin, according to legend, disappeared a day before its grand opening, due to fear of failure and certain death by Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent. Apparently he hadn’t seen it standing free of the formworks. He was never seen again. However, bridge stood another 437 years until, in the Bosnian war, Croat film-director/general, ordered its destruction. Exact replica was made after the war, and was re-opened in the summer of 2004.
Bob, keep reading…
With 30 m span and height of 24 m above the water, its thin arch was architectural wonder of the era. A hundred years later famous Ottoman traveller Ewli Chelebi in his 10-volume itinerary wrote: “I have been in every corner of 16 emperies and kingdoms, but I have never seen taller or more beautiful bridge!”
Ever since it was built it became a measure of manhood – if you are mature enough you should dive from its top to icy-cold water of Neretva River. BTW, Neretva has unique milky turquoise colour called “Neretva-blue”, and is one of the most beautiful rivers I’ve ever seen.
Mostar was a city of great witty people (three ethnic groups and three religions – Muslims, Catholics and Ortodox), who lived together without even knowing who was who (until 1991). It was famous for having distinguished figures living bohemian life-style, and constantly joking about life… Most famous of them were artists Ico Voljevica, Meha Sefić and Vasa Kisa.
Bob, are you with me?
Ico was a pretty ugly looking painter who, upon remark on his looks, stated: “I was born as a very beautiful baby – BUT THEY SWAPPED ME IN THE NURSERY!”
After the World War II, upon visit of a high-ranking Party official, who admired the bridge, Ico told him: “We are going to destroy the Old Bridge!” You can’t do that, said official, why would you do such a thing?” Ico replied: “TO BUILD AN EVEN OLDER ONE!” Little did he know that his prediction would materialise within 45 years…
Meha was a painter and café musician. Once in a pub someone accused him of collaborating with German occupying forces – because he was singing to their troops in the cafés. He said: “I did sing to them, but it was always OUT OF KEY!”
In those post-war days of communist rule it was punishable to tell political jokes. Vasa was prosecuted for telling one in public. In the court, just as judge proclaimed 2-month jail sentence for him, Vasa started laughing like hell. Judge warned him: “I’m warning you, you’ll get extra time for discontent of the court!” Vasa said: “Sorry your Honour, I really couldn’t help it… I JUST RECALLED ANOTHER ONE (political joke), AND BELIEVE ME, THIS ONE IS SO GOOD – IT’S WORTH AT LEAST 2 YEARS!!!”
These all are true stories. Those guys were all artists, as my father was, and being peers they were also good mates – so my dad knew them very well.
Bob thanks for reading it through. Congratulations. I hope it was worth it…
PS. My mom once said (reading very boring Joseph Heller’s “Something happened”) – “If he could write all that, then, I can read it.” -
2009Aug 24
tags: bridge | Union Canal
Bridge # 14 – Ink in a regular Moleskine Sketchbook
During a canal bike run I stopped and attempted this this. Some of the ink was finished, later, at home. Its not as good as I hoped and illustrates the problems I have with anything “wet” on sketchbook paper. Any solutions would be welcome. I’ll stick to watercolour paper in the future if I want to add ink or colour.
Bridges, on our canals, were given numbers when they were being erected. It was only later that they acquired names from local landmarks. One such is the skull bridge where a human skull was unearthed during construction.
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2009Aug 17
tags: bridge | city | hometown | river | tram-line | view | watercolor
Quiz view!
This is the one I promissed – a view from my balcony in watercolour. If you guess correctly, then you’ll know where I’m from. I’ll give you a couple of clues though:
1. In the background you can see a small part of the old town with St. Antony’s church and Emperor’s mosque.
2. Further back, there is a mountain on which bob and sledge competitions were held during 14th Winter Olympic Games. The same moutain was used to lounch a record long city siege.
3. At the bottom-left corner (just below the balcony wall) Austrian Arch-duke Ferdinand was assained almost exactely 95 years ago – which triggered World War One.
4. At bottom right corner you can see the tracks of the first fully operational electrificated tram-line in Europe.
Do not be confused by the colour of the river (it is a river belive me) – That is its natural colour, and the most realistic one in this view. If you’ve guessed correctly than you are a Geographical genius! -
2009Mar 23
tags: ballpoint | blue | bridge | camp
Quartz Mountain Christian Camp, where I went to a church retreat this weekend. There is a bright blue metal bridge between two trees there, serving no apparent purpose. Ballpoint pen.
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