Category Archives: Life in general

Computer Chaos Before and After Sketches

Posted on April 19, 2013 by

Back in January I got a new iMac to replace my aging PC. I hadn’t left my job yet so still needed my PC monitor and my work laptop to complete my last project. That meant I had 3 computers, … Continue reading →

Posted in Ink and watercolor wash, Interiors, Life in general, Sketchbook Pages | Tagged , , | 8 Comments

The Justins Bieber and Timberlake Teach Me to Tie (Lost) Shoes

Posted on March 31, 2013 by

More crazy dreams! The night after the lost keys dream, I dreamed I was at a retreat where I kept losing my shoes. So of course I had to draw them, just to be sure they were still here. Lately … Continue reading →

Posted in Ink and watercolor wash, Life in general, Pen and Ink, Sketchbook Pages | Tagged , , , | 7 Comments

Lost Dreams and the Kitchen Sink

Posted on March 26, 2013 by

Sometimes I have the stupidest dreams. It’s unlikely I would actually lose my keys since I always put them in the same place. I do this because, like Winnie the Pooh, I’m “a bear of very little brain.” Although I … Continue reading →

Posted in Ink and watercolor wash, Life in general, Pen and Ink, Sketchbook Pages | Tagged , , , | 9 Comments

Two Very Different Portraits of Very Different Women

Posted on March 23, 2013 by

I painted this oil painting from a 2nd generation scan of a difficult photo. The harsh shadows, eyes hidden behind sunglasses, and brilliant fall foliage in the background created a challenge. But this was the photo her husband wanted painted … Continue reading →

Posted in Digital art, Faces, Life in general, Oil Painting, People, Portrait | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Electric Owls and Giant Rats: Pest Control at Pastime

Posted on March 2, 2013 by

When we made our annual sketching pilgrimage to Pastime Hardware on a cold winter evening I picked the Pest Control department. I was attracted by the big, ugly, inflated hanging rat and the artificial owls who seemed to be discussing … Continue reading →

Posted in Birds, El Cerrito, Ink and watercolor wash, Life in general, Rat, Sketchbook Pages, Urban Sketchers | Tagged , , , | 6 Comments

Waiting and Watching (and Sketching)

Posted on February 11, 2013 by

I love the way the big guy seems to be looking at the pretty girl’s butt in her shiny black tights. In reality they got in line at different times, but my drawing took on a life of its own. … Continue reading →

Posted in Drawing, Life in general, Pen and Ink, People, Sketchbook Pages, Urban Sketchers | Tagged , , , , | 10 Comments

Reflections on Art/Life in 2012 and 2013

Posted on January 16, 2013 by

I  hated doing performance reviews at work but was always glad when I’d finished mine and could see all I’d accomplished. This year I had to do my last review at work because I am leaving to paint full time … Continue reading →

Posted in Art business, Art supplies, Life in general, Painting | Tagged , , , | 18 Comments

Playing Catch Up!

Posted on January 10, 2013 by

Since my end-of-year wrap-up blog post remains unfinished, here are a couple of autumn sketches that were waiting patiently to be posted. I have a good excuse though: my new iMac arrived last week and since then I’ve been immersed … Continue reading →

Posted in Bay Area Parks, Ink and watercolor wash, Landscape, Life in general, Plein Air, Sketchbook Pages, Watercolor | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments

The Cycle of Life and a New Year: Figgy Survives!

Posted on December 31, 2012 by

Poor Figgy! I knew when I planted her (him? if it fruits is it female? do trees have genders?) from a little twig that it might be too close to my old clay pipe sewer line. And it was: the … Continue reading →

Posted in Gardening, Ink and watercolor wash, Life in general, Plants, Sketchbook Pages | Tagged , , | 11 Comments

Oakland Chinatown Sketch and Group Photo (Plus One)

Posted on December 22, 2012 by

Early on the morning after Thanksgiving our Urban Sketchers group went to Oakland’s Chinatown for some sketching. It was business as usual in the busy produce markets, herb shops, meat and seafood stalls, and Chinese restaurants, with no sign of … Continue reading →

Posted in Building, Drawing, Ink, Ink and watercolor wash, Life in general, Oakland, Painting, Pencil drawing, Sketchbook Pages, Urban Sketchers | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

Happy Turkey (Vulture) Day; One More Thing to Be Thankful For

Posted on November 21, 2012 by

So here it was the day before Thanksgiving and I wanted to draw a turkey. I called around trying to find a live one to sketch but failed. Then I tried to find a taxidermy turkey. No luck. The ranger … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Bay Area Parks, Birds, Drawing, Ink and watercolor wash, Life in general, Pen and Ink, Sketchbook Pages | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 14 Comments

Santa Monica Morning Beach Walks

Posted on November 13, 2012 by

The best way to start the day is an early morning walk on the beach in Santa Monica. I love the wonderful air, the sounds and scents of the sea and the damp sand on bare feet for miles. My … Continue reading →

Posted in Drawing, Ink and watercolor wash, Landscape, Life in general, Outdoors/Landscape, Painting, Pen and Ink, Places, Sketchbook Pages | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments