Pen & Ink Works
Jewel-Like Treasures

by Melissa B Tubbs
Blog
For prints, note cards, or the catalog go to my Etsy Shop

This drawing is for the cover of the catalog that accompanies the Palladio exhibition. The statue is a monument to Palladio by sculptor Vincenzo Gajassi in 1859. I chose to show it in front of the façade of the building directly in front of the round arches flanked by rectangular openings which create what has become known as the Palladian window.

This is the Villa Barbaro. The pavilions at end of each wing features a large-scale sundial on the left and a zodiac dial on the right. A good example of Palladio’s five-part house, the feature that most readily marks a Palladian house.

Villa Foscari was commissioned by Nicolo and Alvise Foscari, members of an influential Venetian family that produced the longest reigning Doge, Francesco Foscari. It was built between 1558 and 1560 on the banks of the Brenta River.

Palladio designed a Villa for Francesco Badoer in the flatlands on the Venetian Republic’s southern border. Built and inhabited in 1556 on the site of an ancient medieval castle, the manor house was joined to the two barchesse (the side wings) that curved into semicircles closing off the stables and other farm buildings.

This client said she’d been going to commission a drawing for sometime and decided there was no time like the present. Beautiful home with unique stair rails. Love, love, love sunlight and shadows!

Printed catalog for the official Alabama Bicentennial Commemoration traveling exhibition "Celebration & Preservation: Drawing Alabama's Architectural History"

Alabama Bicentennial Park commissioned by the Alabama Bicentennial Commission for the center spread of the park dedication program.

Another drawing from New Bern when I was on the Rural Studio tour. I previously drew it when I was facing this wall straight on. Now we’ve got “Side Shadows”. Available: Image, 9” x 6”, $1,300, framed

I really enjoy drawing windows with reflections. The window is in an older building in downtown Montgomery in the inner courtyard. Available: Image, 7 1/4" x 4 1/8", $765, framed

This is a second commission for @oldecrowantiques that I thoroughly enjoyed creating. He beautifully restores antique clocks (as well as furniture). This clock belongs to a good friend of his (he took a photo and sent it to me); and we decided to use it because of the wonderful detail on it. I love the way it turned out and so does he!

I've always wanted to create an illustrated alphabet. I had so much fun creating the drawings. I wanted it to be whimsical, being appropriate for children and appealing to adults.

The Newbern Mercantile Co. store. A small general store with all the trimmings: soft drink machines, ice machine, American flag, icicle lights and a couple of fishermen on the bench out front. Available: Image, 6" x 9" $1,500, framed