Corfu - Old Monastery

Corfu Greece, is the most popular of the Ionian Islands. It is a very green island and a mixture of the civilizations that have passed through at various times.

The island is steeped in history and perennially connected to the history of Greece from the beginning of Greek mythology. Its Greek name, Kerkyra or Korkyra, is connected to two powerful water symbols: Poseidon, god of the sea and Asopos, an important Greek mainland river. According to myth, Poseidon fell in love with the beautiful nymph Korkyra, daughter of Asopus and river nymph Metope, and abducted her, as was the custom among gods of the era's myths – Zeus himself was a serial offender. Poseidon brought her to the hitherto unnamed island and, in marital bliss, offered her name to the place: Korkyra, which gradually evolved to Kerkyra. Together, they had a child they called Phaiax, after whom the inhabitants of the island were named: Phaiakes, which was then transliterated via Latin to Phaeacians.

Copyright Lily Serj, and LilysWatercolorPaintings 2008-2011

Harbour

The beginning and ending of an Adventure for Seafarers and their Ships is marked by their arriving or departing the Harbour.

For thousands of years, people have wanted to move on the water. They have used boats and ships to fish, to travel, to explore, to trade or to fight. Throughout the time that people have been building boats and ships, they have made changes to them, to make travelling on the water easier, faster and safer.

And after travelling on the water, Ships return in their native Harbour.

Copyright Lily Serj, and LilysWatercolorPaintings 2008-2011

Old Fountain circa 1869

Pic. Size 10"x14" (25,5X35cm)
Beautiful Old Water Source in the Architectural-Ethnographic Complex "Etter" in Bulgarian town Gabrovo. (Oil painting)

Gabrovo is a town in central northern Bulgaria. It is known as an international capital of humour and satire, as well as noted for its Bulgarian National Revival architecture. Gabrovo is also known as the longest town in Bulgaria, stretching over 25 km along the Yantra River, yet reaching only 1 km in width at places. For some images of Gabrovo Click Here.

The citizens of Gabrovo, are notorious for their unique sense of humour. During the second half of 20th century jokes have been largely popularized due to the House of Humour and Satire in Gabrovo. The city is now known as an international capital of humour and satire.

It is said that the people from Gabrovo...

• Cut the tails off of their cats so they can close the door faster when they let the cat out, in order to save heat. The black cat with a cut-off tail has become an enduring symbol of Gabrovo.
• Fit taps to the eggs (as for a keg) to tap as much as they need for a soup and to save the rest;
• Turn their clocks off before they go to sleep to save the wear & tear;
• Put green spectacles on their donkeys so that the donkeys will eat shavings, thinking it's hay;
• When they invite people to tea, they heat the knives so the guests can't take any butter;
• To save money on sweeps, they let a cat down the chimney;
• when something new has only just hit the headlines somewhere, it is already being done in Gabrovo.

Some well known Gabrovo jokes are:

-A citizen of Gabrovo throws a party, but too many people show up! He goes to his neighbour.... "Hi, I've got a big problem! 15 guests showed up but I've only got 10 chairs! Do you have any extras?" "Yes, my kids are away at college, so I've got a couple I'm not using" "That's perfect; I'll send five to your house."

-Why don't people from Gabrovo buy refrigerators? Answer: Because they can't be sure the light goes off when the door's closed.

-Why do people from Gabrovo switch the lamp on and off every now and then when they're reading a book? Answer: To save energy while turning pages.

Copyright Lily Serj, and LilysWatercolorPaintings 2008-2011

Fresco Fantasy

My imitation of fresco from Ancient Greek houses.

"In 1967 the ruins of a Bronze Age city were discovered at Akrotiri on the island of Thira, better known as Santorini. They had been preserved beneath the ashes of a volcanic explosion which occurred about 1450 BC. Archaeologists found magnificent frescos; similar in style and content to Cretan paintings. The plant and floral arrangement which appear to have been highly prized and receive their finest expression in the so-called 'Spring fresco'."

TREASURES OF GREECE by Emmanuelle Le Pommelet & Pierre Brunel

I enjoy to use Greek fresco painting style for some of my pictures.

Copyright Lily Serj, and LilysWatercolorPaintings 2008-2011

Old Classic Large House

This picture is my imagination and fantasy. I think of this house as The Scientific Geographic Academy Building, circa 1826-1850.

This was painted using a style targeted to be like a book illustration, for supporting a novel with the authors view of a building he bases the story, in part on.

Imagine - if you would: The Professor of History has just arrived and is in a meeting recounting to his esteemed colleagues his adventures, the discoveries he has made, and the treasures he has found while abroad. To his right is the Professor of Architecture, and his many associates, enquiring to learn about Architecture abroad; while on his left are Professors of Science, of Chemistry, and of 'Modern Physics' - hoping to glean some pearls of wisdom from his travels!

The Technique I used in this painting was a blend of water colors for the fills and pen with black indian ink for the hard lines.

Copyright Lily Serj, and LilysWatercolorPaintings 2008-2011

Temple by the River

People's life evolves in two environments: under Sky, and under Roof.

Nature helps us to comprehend life's glory. People idealize in the houses themselves, guided by a creative taste, while understanding accommodations, and cosiness.

Celebration, Victory, and Tradition - all experiences best had at a nice location - such as this Temple by the River! The views would be Grand, and the finishings would be Fine - all related to the best of the two environments: Sky and Roof!

Copyright Lily Serj, and LilysWatercolorPaintings 2008-2011