Houston and Charleston USA

Several people wanted to know why we would want to go to America at the moment with the current political situation as it is. If you are wondering, I’ll tell you. “It is family, it is family, it is family”.

So when we arrived in Houston we got lost, couldn’t get hold of the hotel shuttle and generally very sad and tired. But the helpful American ‘Joe Bloggs’ leant me a phone, got the hotel shuttle driver and always with a big smile. Everything sorted and we got to our hotel for the night.

The next day we were meeting our family in Charleston.

While we waited for the shuttle to take us back to the airport I drew quick little line sketches as planes flew up over our heads. For less than 10 minutes there were this many, and more!

Charleston, South Carolina, was founded as Charles Town in 1670. (After Charles 2). It grew to become a major port city where hundreds of slaves were bought ashore. Charleston also played a major role in the American Revolution and the Civil War. Later evolving into a very wealthy community with industry in rice, indigo and later cotton.

The old houses are timber construction and many are standing that were constructed prior to the Civil war.

I loved drawing the houses. Perspective is not one of my strongest artistic attributes so I loved doing these cos they are all leaning at funny angles. It’s to do with building a city on a swamp!!!!

Across the road from the oldest house was the Ryan Mart. the space where humans were bought and sold.

This is now a museum and a tribute to the African American population.

A fun place for several children to cool off. There were lots of rules though. You had to be under 12, and no spitting!

Lots of great sightseeing but also gallery visits. Very traditional oils in most galleries I visited although did spot the odd watercolour, again in traditional style. Then I came across an artist Maria Burtis and this piece of work.

Loved that someone else was doing something I have done before.

Using strips of paper to make a new work. Just like Maria Burtis.

This reminds me of our cruise on the harbour tonight as the sun set below the harbour of Charleston.