Artists in Italy: The Piazza, Sulmona and Jim's Work

These are my three finished paintings from earlier this week. Now I have embarked on a life of sloth.

I have also done two portraits, but I have only taken a picture of Fred. He does not live in Castelvecchio and he is not a person, but he is so cute!

Today we went to Sulmona with Fred's owners. We walked around, ate galatto, ate some more galatto and then walked around some more. It is really hot and humid. The weather has been great the last week, but since it turned so hot I have quit painting outside. I have been reading "Jacob have I Loved" and the "Poisenwood Bible". They have a lot in common.

We have a bad habit of going to Sulmona and staying on our beaten path. Today we ventured out and
found this gate to the city. The painting on it is amazing if you look closely.

Sulmona is divided in to Borgos or neighborhoods. Each year in late July there is a big jousting competition
and each borga puts out its flags and gets ready to fight to the death.

Just another amazingly beautiful church.

Our new favorite lunch place. The old window on the left makes me wonder if it used to be a post office.

A typically beautiful scene in Sulmona.

This last week we have taken to hanging out in the piazza in the evening even though there is no event. What were we waiting for? It is great. Everyone in town is out here. It is cool and fresh. You can have a glass of fizzy wine for 1E. Two nights we have gotten free drinks. Of course there may be a payback time. I call my mom on Skype while everyone is at dinner. Once everyone is in the piazza it is just too loud. Last night it was really loud because there was a DJ with lights and smoke.