Most of my time drawing in Central Italy is spent in tiny, old, quiet towns - drawing alone. There is no doubt that my sketching excursions are quests for a quiet escape and a contrast from my busy life near Boston, Massachusetts.
On the Saturday afternoon of this drawing, I watched as a bar filled with locals mixed with the guests of a fancy wedding in the nearby church. Due the extreme heat, a steady stream of celebrants dipped into to the cafe for bottles of cold water. All the while, the chirping owner of the place perched at the perimeter, guarding his nest. He kept an eye on me, as well as everyone else. We spoke briefly and from then on he called me "Boston Man." He checked on me and my drawing often. Later, he offered me a bottle of homemade wine. The day wasn't as quiet as I would have liked, but it was a terrific show.