Italy

An endless supply of borghi (fortified mountain villages) makes Italy a Nontropolis heaven. I first 'discovered' borghi  during a visit to Abruzzo in 1996. I had suffered an 'artist block' for a few years. My architectural education enabled me to document scenes quite acurately on location, with perfect proportions and perspective, but I was yearning for a freer less perfect style. In 1996 I brought soft pastels with me instead of the usual pencil and watercolour. The change in medium enabled me to move through my artist block and change my style. I never looked back. The wonky houses and organic urban spaces of Italian borghi were the perfect subject mater to facilitate the change in style.

Image: A soft pastel from 1996, breaking free from perspective 'rules'.