Midair

A classic drawing dilemma... I drew this same thing several times and each time, one or more of the fingers did not match up to their counterpart on the other side of the acorn or adjacent finger. After an hour or so, it dawned on me that if I hold my hand in midair for any length of time, its position is going to change. Duh. Next time, some sort of anchoring trick.

Bundled

The house and car are bundled in snow. I'm bundled up in the studio. Had to cancel my classes. No traffic noise - only the shouts of children playing. Going to take a snow day and play myself!

Snow Day

Perfect for cracking open my rarely used box of crayons.

Mr. Batey at work

I'm fortunate to live a few minutes away from what may be the premiere metro parks community center in the city, complete with a new fitness room, basketball court, indoor track and pool. Andrew Batey is the gatekeeper from 6 AM - 2 PM, Monday through Friday and my favorite person in my local weekly routine. He doesn't miss a trick with anyone of any age who passes through the front door. It's a joy to stop and gab with him for a few minutes on my way to the gym or weight room.

Nap Interruptus

Here's the way it almost always goes. Sleeping cat. Good subject! I sit down to sketch and, within seconds, the subject has moved to another spot. The way of the world.

Sack

Sack pack on its back.

Hillside Doodle

Another phone meeting doodle obviously influenced by the film on Julius Schulman I saw last night, Visual Acoustics. I've been waiting to see this for at least half a year. Wouldn't I like to be in Palm Springs right this very moment.

Partial Ivy

Another demo as far as I could take it between instruction.

Leaf

A quick demo from my drawing class this morning. All's well. Must run!

After Cataloging

What I thought would take one, maybe two days took me a full week — Properly identifying, matting, backing, archiving and cataloging all of my paintings that had not been so handled from the past several years. I was up most nights in the studio till after 10 and finished up around 11 last night. Fortunately, I continued until I'd mostly cleaned up after myself.

Probably because of the coffee I drank after dinner last night and partially because of a situation, not in my control, that I am allowing to worry me to death, I didn't get more than a few hours of sleep.

Still, I managed to make a quick sketch of the aftermath this morning and some of the boxes of finished work all ready for collector and gallery review. Now to clean up and prepare the studio for a new batch of students coming in first thing tomorrow.

Alonso

Alonso Fernando Piano held still long enough for me to conquer the structure but, alas, only just that long. Life is designed to move! This did not seem to be a problem for Gainsborough but Gainsborough I am not!

I'm dying to work in pencil where I am far more adept with the medium and mark making. But there's something to be learned in these pen exercises. Wonky as they are at the moment, I'm determined to let the process lead me. (Wherever that may be).

One Bookshelf

One of my bookshelves done early this morning. Wobbly in pen but not in real life!

Figure Doodles

I made these during a phone meeting this morning. Was thinking of sitting down to make another drawing but it's late, these are fun and will do just fine!

Black Hole

Most of what's on TV horrifies me. However, there are a few things on basic cable worth watching, like the CSpan reports from Haiti, Cranford and Return to Cranford.

After a long afternoon into early evening of sorting paintings and matching to mats, backings and sleeves, I collapsed in front of my $5 TV. Wasn't able to pay as close attention as I would have liked to the Cranford crowd as I worked on this drawing at the same time.

I spend such little time in front of this tube that the real black hole in my experience may be this very laptop I'm looking at right now!

Stangl Bird

A favorite find from a Florida yard sale excursion, this Stangl Pottery Bird sits atop my dresser. It's a Kentucky Warbler from the early 1940's. Stangl made these figures through the early 60's but, as time wore on, the color and craftsmanship waned. This one has a repaired tail but no less charm.

Half Frozen

It is currently 58˚ F. Thank you, God! After spending much of the day doing new moon cleaning and clearing, I took myself out for a walk around Radnor Lake where ice slipped away from the surface. The sun was out and everyone was smiling.

Hamlin

Tick-tock. Tick-tock. I've been spending my time completing unfinished business before plunging into next phase of new business. It feels good to complete and let go of projects I've delighted in.

Over Breakfast

Yes, my breakfast got cold but I made my drawing for the day!

Cheekwood Parking Lot

After 7+ hours as drawing juror for the regional Scholastic Art Awards, I sat in my car and made this drawing before driving off to a meeting.

Darkness Falls Over My Back Yard

The longer I drew, the darker it got.

I've switched to a new journal. It's 7 x 10 which is good because I was feeling cramped in the Derwent 4.5 x 6.5 book. The smaller is fab for throwing in the purse to have on hand at all times (so good thing I have some pages left in another volume). This larger is a Cachet and the paper is not my favorite and will not take a wash but I have it - two of them - so I'll use them for now and be happy with them! So, the paper doesn't take a wash but the ink dries almost instantly and does not smear The book itself is quite nice with coil binding, board ends and an elastic closing strap.

Gloves

Warm things on the last page of this journal.

Pillows

A good image to post for a Sunday... the traditional day of rest!

Clock on Sill

Here's a little bit from a couple of days ago. Yesterday, I used my time to work on a painting that I'll post over at Landscape into Art after I see if it needs more work. That will require me shoveling my way out to the studio. Ok, I won't need a shovel but I'm laying low in the house to use just one heating system.

It's lovely to watch the snow fall and to see the the walkway and yard undisturbed by foot and paw prints!

Boot Weather

While praying for all the dogs left outside in yards, I'm working in my studio with 4 layers of clothes, 3 scarves and a cap. Yes, I have heat in the studio and the walls are very well insulated. But there are many windows (all covered) and just under the floor is slab concrete.

It's against my nature to let the wall heater run on for hours but as soon as I turn it off, the cold seeps back in. Well, it is 16˚ F but it's temporary and I'm grateful to have buildings with heat and warm clothes. And boots!

Town Hall Meeting

Last night I sketched a bit while listening to pros and cons on proposal of new convention center in Nashville where there are already three convention centers.

At a time when the budgets, staff and hours for public education, public libraries and community centers are being severely slashed, the mayor has tried to send through a 600 million dollar convention center project that does not include a required hotel which would add at least an additional 300 million.

Fortunately, a local attorney started a citizens group to (hopefully) force a referendum through which the citizens will have the opportunity to approve or disapprove this project.

Tallulah's Bear

From my very small notebook at my morning writing space.

Gardenias South Window

Now that I am out of the bright direct sunlight, I see that I could have done a bit more with this but that's not the point. The point is simply to draw something from life every day and to let it go. It is so frigid here (still in the teens) that I could barely hold the pen properly to draw a straight line. When the temperature drops below a certain degree (not exactly sure which degree) I become all thumbs.

Although I desperately need to move on to other work, I went back in quickly with a brush and discovered that this violet ink lightens up considerably with water.

Datebook

I woke up late and took hours to get in gear today. It was 9˚F when I woke. I was chiding myself for my slowness when I have so much to do! Then I read that local schools had pushed their opening times up by 2 hours. Have succumbed to the bitter weather and will do the work that I can manage.

Keys and Compass

That's right, I am drawing anything and happy about it. The keys to my kingdom (queendom?), house, studio, car. And a compass in case I get lost navigating between the three of them.

Breakfast Out

Here is the scene of the first neighborhood Big Draw station three months later. Very cold — 18˚F. I was so pleased to whip out my sketchbook after breakfast and sail through an exercise.

I was shopping for Lamy Safaris (my personal favorite pen) the other night, ogling new colors and considering whether to save money with a ten pack of one color (basic black) or go wild and try drawing and writing in different colors. I remembered that I had some violet cartridges stashed away so I'll be drawing in violet for a little while.

I guess the most ecologically responsible thing would be to buy a converter and fill my pen from a bottle.

Watering Can on Hiatus

To help me draw every day no matter what, I am scattering drawing pads around the house and studio. Or that is my intention. I always carry one with me. I have squeezed one 4 x 6 sketchbook under the pillow where I sit to write in the morning. If I draw first thing then I don't have to sweat about it for the rest of the day. Which leaves me plenty of opportunity to make additional drawings!