Pics from Spain

A few pics from Spain...


Inside of Casa Batllo. The inside had been closed off when I lived there so that was a pleasant surprise. Bruce, just look at that staircase!


This is a scale model of the attic of La Pedrera. Each of the slats is in reality a ~14ft brick catenary arch. It's stunning inside.


Roman aqueduct still standing in Segovia.


This is a model of the roof of the school house built next to Segrada Familia. It was from this roof line that I was inspired to make my porch roof.


Oh my god, the face on mars has moved into the light fixtures at the Reina Sophia! :-)

Gate

Today I built another gate for the backyard. I don't think I could have designed a much more labor-intensive gate design; it took me about 5 hours to mill all the 2x2s. Next, trim the edges and hang it.

Sagrada Familia sketch

A little tiny piece of Sagrada Familia. There's no place to sit down outside so I had to hold the pad in one hand while drawing which made things all wobbly!

La Pedrera attic sketch

Apologies again for the bad contrast.

This is the attic of Gaudi's La Pedrera in Barcelona. It is a twisting series of hundreds of catenary aches (the shape of a hanging chain but upside down). It is a magical space, like being on the inside of snake with windows. I think it is one of the most, if not the most, beautiful space I've ever been in.

Casa Batllo sketch

Forgive the lack of cropping and contrast correction, I don't have access to my usual editor suite. This is a small section of the casa Batllo fascade. When I lived in Barcelona this house was not open to the public so today I got to see inside for the first time which didn't disappoint. Unfortunately it was so crowded that there was no place I could make a sketch.

Barcelona gothic cathedral sketches

For me one of the pleasures of vacation is having little or no plan -- I see less but feel more relaxed about it. This morning I strolled over to the gothic cathedral in Barcelona (I've been there many times before) and just sat and drew images.

I love the intersecting lines of the arches in the gothic style. The arches in this particular church have a interesting asymmetric large-small-small-small rhythm. The intersections where the main supports hold up the central bay as well as three other smaller bays are very complicated tangles of these converging patterns. I can sit and stare at them for hours, absorbing their intricate masonry.

Traitwise Beta 2

We're pleased to announce the beta 2 version of our health-engine "Traitwise". We've simplified question making, added discussions, and generally improved a lot of things. Please come and check it out -- and tell your friends and family!

www.traitwise.com