Gary J Kirkpatrick, Art and Travel

Author: Gary Kirkpatrick

  • From Torino (Turin) to Graz

    From Torino (Turin) to Graz

    From Graz to Torino (Turin)

     

    July 10, 2016

     

    From Graz you take a railroad operated bus to the train that carries you into Italy through the Alps; the bus avoids a much longer train ride through the mountains.  The scenery alone makes the trip worthwhile.  There are viaducts and tunnels galore.  Human have inhabited this area for thousands of years, although it is  well west of here,in the Oetztal Alps, where researchers unearthed the frozen body of a man who died in the mountains some 5000 years ago.  For more information on that, go to http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/oetzi-iceman-mummy-alps-lyme-disease-lactose-intolerance/story?id=15816788

     

    graz to italy1

     

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  • Drawings from Graz

    Drawings from Graz

    Drawings from Graz

    Here are the pen and ink drawings I did on location in Graz, Austria, early June through early July 2016

    Woman Sitting at Table
    Woman Sitting at Table

    This was done at the Kunstmuseum (above).  The following several drawings were done at the Schlossberg Park near where we stayed:

     

    Cafe in Schlossburg Park
    Cafe in Schlossburg Park

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  • The Semmering Railroad

    The Semmering Railroad

    The Semmering Railroad, designed and directed by the Venice born  Carlo Ghega, is a UNESCO World Heritage Center (1998) that travels from Gloggnitz to Semmering.   I was constructed between 1848 and 1854.  At the.  time the Semmering was a feat of engineering and the first mountain railway in Europe built on a standard gauge track.  From your seat you see superb Austrian mountains, 16 viaducts and 15 tunnels,  over 100 curved stone and 11 small iron bridges, as well as many mansions.  All this in a journey of just 41 kilometers.

    semmering 4

    semmering 3

     

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  • A terrific baroque building: Basilika Mariatrost, Graz (with sketches)

    A terrific baroque building: Basilika Mariatrost, Graz (with sketches)

    A terrific baroque building: Basilika* Mariatrost, Graz (with sketches)

    July 2016

    The lovely Mariatrost Basilica is a baroque style building on top of the Purberg hill, a steep climb from the bus stop including some 225 steps.  There’s a lovely view from the top-  see my pen and ink sketch below- and what’s inside is a superb example of the baroque.

    Basilika Mariatrost
    Basilika Mariatrost

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  • Salzburg

    Salzburg

    June 2016

    There’s enough to see and do in Salzburg, Austria for the three days we were there, although beyond that I am less optimistic.  It’s certainly attractive enough for longer term living but a bit on the small side, and a good four hours from Vienna for more intensive living, and the winters are still cold and snowy enough to discourage any but skiers and ice skaters. A bit of background and then some highlights.

     

    Salzburg
    Salzburg

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  • Schloss Eggenberg, Graz, Austria

    Schloss Eggenberg, Graz, Austria

    A Baroque masterpiece and World Heritage Site, Schloss Eggenberg in Graz, Austria is a treasure of the Baroque and, to a lesser extent, the Rococo period of the Baroque epoch, which is the last development in the as well as the most complex and intricate of the period.

    One of 600 paintings in the apartments of Schloss Eggenberg
    One of 600 paintings in the apartments of Schloss Eggenberg

    Here is a video slide show of our photos during the visit, which is only available as a guided tour, set to Mozarts’ Klarinettenkonzert (K. 622).  The tour is in English as well as German. (more…)

  • Video: Paintings and Drawings Done at Palau de la Musica

    Video: Paintings and Drawings Done at Palau de la Musica

    The paintings and drawings in this video slide show were done at Palau de la Musica, Valencia.  They explore the state of mind we experience as music transports us to a semi dream-like state.  The paintings and drawings in this video slide show were done at Palau de la Musica, Valencia.  They explore the state of mind we experience as music transports us to a semi dream-like state.  The music is Arco de Noe by Oscar Navarro, a Valencian composer.  He was in the audience the day we heard this piece.

  • Graz’s Museums

    Graz’s Museums

    Graz’s Museums

    For a city of a mere 300,000, Graz has a large number of museums.   Boys will no doubt be attracted to the Armory, which holds an extensive collection of medieval armory worn by the knights.  We skipped that one and instead have gone to the Graz Museum, Kunsthouse and the Museum in Palais.   There are a dozen to visit on our annual 30 euro pass. (click ‘continue reading’ below)

    Medieval Graz
    Medieval Graz

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  • June 2016 pen and ink drawings from the Palau de la Musica

    June, 2016

    These are my latest pen and ink drawings done at the Palau de la Musica in Valencia, Spain.

    Bass Violin, Palau de la Musica, 2' x 4" pen and ink
    Bass Violin, Palau de la Musica, 2′ x 4″ pen and ink

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