as a young tsar, peter the great (1672-1725), travelled throughout western europe to visit with powerful monarchs, scientists, men of business, engineers, and technicians. realizing that the military might of the west was due to its technological advancement & manufacturing capabilities, peter set out to modernize agricultural russia with heavy reforms...
the "old believers" in the russian orthodox church weren't so keen on a few of these changes... especially the one about cutting off their beards to appear more european. those who refused to shave had to pay an annual fee of 100 rubles.
a young sun-soaked david gilmour & an ancient amphitheatre in pompeii- the perfect way to lie back & slow things down for an hour in the heat of july...
jost amman (1539-1591) an illustrator in nuremburg, designed a deck of playing cards divided into 4 suits: ink-pads, books, drinking cups, and pots. neat!
there is always a feeling of excitement and nervousness when i start new projects. today was spent prepping silkscreens at the printshop & opening a new box of clay at the pottery studio. results to follow...