Charleston, SC

This year for our annual vacation Mrs. Gist and I went to Charleston, SC. We stayed at The Mills House Hotel, which I recommend for three reasons, first it is over a 150 years old, second it is smack dab in the middle of Charleston's Museum Mile (several blocks lined with amazing examples of antebellum South Carolina), and third it is walking distance to just about anywhere in the city worth seeing.
Two of the main attractions for us where the plantations in the surrounding area, including Boone Hall and Middleton Place. Pictured below are some of the attractions at Middleton, including milking a cow (you have to provide your own wife willing to do said milking), and the many carriage houses. The reason for the carriage houses I hope to reveal over the next year.



Below is one of the many carriage houses in Charleston, and a sketch I did of one at Middleton

Vacation Destination (Italy)

Shortly after getting married, in 2004, my wife and I went on a painting trip to Tuscany. If you ever get the chance to go, take it. The Italian country side is one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen. Here are two paintings I did while on this trip.

"The town of Levanto is the doorway to the Cinque Terre. The Cinque Terre (5 lands) is composed of 5 small villages: Monterosso, Vernazza, Manarola, Corniglia, Riomaggiore.The Cinque Terre is a National Park and Unesco World Heritage site."

There is a trail that leads through all five villages, along the vertical cliff face. I made it to the fourth before bad weather forced a hasty retreat.

Cinque Terre oil on canvas board


"Imagine a beautiful little Tuscan town protected by massively thick 16th-century walls, featuring some of Italy's finest medieval and Renaissance architecture, superb dining, antique markets, classical and rock music festivals, easy access to stunning nearby villas in the surrounding hills and with endless beaches less than half an hour away. Lucca is one of Tuscany's best-kept secrets."

All of this, and I painted a bike?

"Bike in Lucca" Gouache in toned sketch book

Vacation Destination

For once both my wife and I were relatively deadline free. So we took a day off and went up to a living history site in Oak Glen, CA called Riley's Farm I would encourage anyone in the area to go check it out, especially if you have kids.

Good food, the hallmark of any good day trip



We dipped candles... I know, DORKS!!

New York, New York

On the second leg of our trip we went to New York. We stayed in a hotel in chinatown, it was an interesting experience. One that I personally enjoyed.
We also spent a fair amount of time at the Met and checking out galleries, and capped of the whole trip with a nice dinner with Irene Gallo.
Note to self; next time make time to go see the Society of Illustrators, and Hispanic Society

Colonial Williamsburg

On the first leg of our vacation the lovely Mrs. Gist and I decided to go to Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia. I was hesitant (as I am with any kind of themed destination), but I have to say I was beyond surprised. The authenticity, detail, and information contained in one block of the historic reconstruction is worth every penny of the admission fee. Next stop NY