03. 09. 07 Was determined to get started today on some painting. It was a bright, warm morning so after the usual chores – reading the paper, listening to the news, posting letters, paying a parking fine etc, hopped on the scooter and headed for a hill just outside Nebian which is about 3 kms from here. Drove up and down the roads for a while checking out light, shadows etc and driving behind tractors hauling wagons full of grapes, found a spot and settled in to paint. Of course as it was more or less the first time this year, I had left some things at home but improvised. I have been using Griffin Alkyd paints which are quicker drying but they are so quick that they seem to dry up in the tube between outings! After finishing my painting had an interesting conversation with a guy who stopped by for a picnic lunch just where I was painting. We did not discuss painting at all, but scooters. He seemed to reckon that all scooters now have their engines made by the same Chinese/Korean company and the different brands just put their particular shell around the motors. Went home for lunch and then went out again, this time completely equiped and with real oil paints. Found a road looking towards Aspiran and settled in. As usual the second one was easier but it was quite hot and windy so I had to make sure nothing blew away. Lots of people in the vines but couldn’t quite make out what they were all doing. A lot of discussion going on. Below are not very brilliant photos of today’s efforts plus a painting I did earlier of my living room and another of a house near Montagnon which I painted when Julia and I went out together when she was here.
