In 2008 I visited Italy for the first time, exploring the delightful cities, towns and countryside of Tuscany before traveling south to Puglia to visit my grandfather’s hometown, Castlenuovo della Daunia. I returned to Italy two years later to spend a month in the city of Bologna. Accompanied by sketchbook, pens, pencils, and camera I explored the streets and nooks and crannies of this wonderful old city. As one of the country’s major railway hubs it was easy to visit other towns and cities with multiple day trips. Twelve years later that experience still provides material and inspiration for my art.