MENDING

11x13” Oil on linen

When Hemingway wrote his famous short story, The Old Man and The Sea, he chose the character of an elderly, traditional fisherman, because there are no young ones left to take over the way of their fathers.  Fishing in Greece, like so many other traditional occupations, is undergoing a transition, as the younger generation ventures to more lucrative occupations.  Here you catch a glimpse of a traditional Ios fisherman mending his nets in the dawning of the morning.

CHATTING

15x23” Oil on linen

Two local villagers chat up a moment on the Island of Ios. This everyday scene is set against the beautiful backdrop of a stunning Greek Orthodox Church adjacent to the Mediterranean. These churches are sprinkled throughout the island, providing a stunning architectural setting for liturgy. The domed Church was established as a hallmark of Byzantine architecture, infusing the Church with mystical geometry. In this domed setting, one becomes conscious of the symbolic "dome" of heaven, surrounded by the blue skies beyond.

AFTERNOON REST

13x16” Oil on linen

SOLD

The first inhabitants on this island of Folegandro were Aegeans. There were many different cultures that occupied this island, including the Egyptians. The island city Chora has seen many a turmoil. Because of this turmoil, the Greeks were known to favor blue to ward off evil. You can see this significance in the donkey's bright blue cloth, beckoning blue resting chair, intriguing blue doorway, clear blue sky, and even the Mediterranean's blue reflection dancing of the window panes

COMPANY

15x18” Oil on linen

Two Ios Island donkeys rest after a long day of transporting island goods. They accompany each other, pausing under the Greek sun, set amid classic Greek white-washed walls and tangerine-tinged tiled roof. The picturesque stone wall was built from stones brought from the shore, as Ios is known for its predominantly rocky coastline.

EARLY MORNING RISE III

10x12” Oil on linen
This classic Greek working donkey signifies a touching humbleness under the weight of the pack saddle. He looks right at you, as if to remind you that his work is never done. His peeked up ears show his sense of spirit and adventure. He's ready, at a moment's notice, to do his duty and carry on.

BREAKTIME V

15x21” Oil on linen
The Island of Hydra is the penultimate in Greek setting-Mediterranean sunbeams bounce off classic whitewashed walls on this sun-drenched island. There is a distinct practical presence of donkeys all across town, used for transport since no vehicles are allowed. The work donkeys pepper the harbor and are loaded up to transport cargo inland from the Quay. Supplies are brought in twice a week, so the donkeys are constantly busy shuttling goods and materials throughout the island, and while working hard, this makes for many picturesque settings.

NAXOS

14x11” Oil on linen
Naxos was the first Greek island to work with marble. This island led the way in creating fantastic structures and sculptures. In ancient times, marble in Naxos was extracted from the quarries of Apollo. The influence of marble is so great that you can see here streets paved with marble tile. A local workman gains a ride from his beast of burden, traipsing along marble lined alleyways. Time may have moved forward but the essence of Naxos remains the same.

REMINISCENCE

13x19” Oil on linen
This Captain epitomizes Greek fishing by donning the traditional Greek fishing cap, signifying a true sailor and fisherman. His long hair, long gray beard, and weathered skin reflect a hardworking life reminiscent of 3000 years of Greek tradition. This classic portrait is layered upon a backdrop of traditional Greek fishing boats idling in the Aegean blue waters, just waiting to be taken out to sea, one more time.

ANIA THEODOTI BEACH

19x25” Oil on linen
The raw beauty of a workman's fishing boats brings you back to the bygone days of Old Greece. These boats lure you into a pure Greek setting and beyond to the royal blue Mediterranean waters that reach out far and beyond the islands to the distant mountains and on up to the sky.

THE GUARDIAN II

15x18” Oil on linen
Hydra is one of the Saronic Islands, known as a refuge from attacking pirates. Many of the buildings built around the harbor date back to the early 18th century. One such home amid a classic Greek fishing setting sets the scene for many a tale. One can just imagine the stories of fishermen as they have come and gone on their vessels and sought refuge at home. The perch of the cat off to the side shows anticipation in waiting for the next catch of the day.

BLUE SHUTTERS

10x12” Oil on linen

SOLD
This classic crisp-white working donkey on the Island of Naxos, set upon a backdrop of whitewashed walls and omnipotent blue shutters, represents Greek culture at its finest. Naxos is the largest and greenest of the Cycladic islands. Its greenery gives way to abundant wine production- as you can see, this donkey bears a jug of its finest.

ISLAND OF IOS

16x20” Oil on linen
As you sail around the point of the island, you look upon the white walls on the coast, twirling windmills, fisherman boats bobbing on the Aegean Sea, reflecting blue, way up into the sky.I was thrilled with the pure white buildings with blue doors and window shutters. According to ancient tradition, Homer's mother was from Ios, and he himself was buried there - and indeed the locals will show visitors the site of the ancient town of Plakotos at the northernmost end of the island, where the rocky entrance to a tomb may be seen. There is no physical evidence connecting this with Homer however. There are signs of a Mycenaean settlement. The north end of Ios has a ruined Venetian castle from the 15th century. The island is said to have 365 churches and chapels, like the days of the year.