Columbus Circle Subway Station

 I love the NYC subway in all it’s grunginess. It can be noisy, crowded, stuffy and sometimes erratic. But mostly it is relatively fast and reliable. Stations are embellished with bits of unexpected art, old and new. The tiles are my favorites. Some are damaged or in need of a good scrub. The colors, patterns and three-dimensional textures always bring a moment of joy (and sometimes a flash of inspiration) as I look out the window or  stand waiting for the Uptown-bound Local to arrive.

Montepulciano Window

 Climb the hilly streets of Montepulciano and you will see a mix of homes and shops built from stone and brick. If there is a bright blue sky, the windows become mirrors reflecting everything around them. On such a day, a window can trap a building across the street and bits of the sky above it. Grids of protective iron bars multiply. Stare at it too long and you will begin to wonder what is real and what is a brilliant illusion.