Dana Point

Dana Point, California

watercolor on paper 14inx11in

Finally a day to be on the computer! I have only had access to the net through my phone for over a month now and finally have time to post and read everyone’s blogs. Can't wait!!

This painting was a welcome change to my drawings lately. I have been hiking in the hot, dry, dusty California hills lately. I have been trying to increase my walks to treks and then to actual hikes.  Yesterday I actually was able to sit and enjoy the waves breaking on the rocks just a few feet in front of me.

Medical Equipment

Medical Equipment

Ink on Paper

There have been many visits to doctors lately and I find myself with plenty of sketching time. Some of the things I am drawing have very little meaning to me because I don’t know there purpose. Something to do with medical procedures I’m sure but only line and form to me.

Still life with water bottles

Graphite on Paper

This sketch is a still life I set up while sitting in a waiting room. I like how the texture of the paper adds to the character of the graphite. I was attracted to the transparence of the plastic water bottles and how to describe with graphite reflected and refracted light.

Keys

Key Chain

Graphite on Paper

I am always trying to sketch something and today was my keys. I have found myself in a place where just sitting is not enough. Here is my keychain with just some of the keys that I need to carry with me everywhere. I made this key chain from a sterling silver spoon that I found in a yard sale. The handle was so beautiful but the spoon part had been destroyed by a garbage disposal.

Earrings

Earrings

Graphite on Paper

Boats in Harbor

Boats in Harbor

Ink on Paper

Foot Portrait

Foot Portrait

Graphite on Paper

Sometimes when I am nowhere in particular just waiting for the next thing to demand my time I sketch. You all know that by now, I sketch anything. Well when there are people (my unsuspecting models) they sometimes catch me staring and feel uncomfortable. Not if I draw something other than there head. So here it is. The foot portrait.

Dana Point Harbor Island

Dana Point Harbor Island

Ink on paper

Dana Point

Dana Point

Ink on paper

Hospital Emergency Room

Emergency Room

Ink on Paper

Feeding the ducks

Tri City Park

Ink on paper

I was sketching this location after walking around the lake a few times when this lady walked into my field of view and started pouring some grain from a large bag, for the ducks.  Of course shortly after that there were far too many ducks but I did manage to put the lady in at the last moment.

Wilshire Street, Fullerton

Wilshire Street, Fullerton

ink on paper

This is the street I sketched, that I forgot to post, that is next to the Rialto Café. My Bad!

Breakfast at the Rialto Cafe

Rialto Cafe

Ink on paper

This morning Ivy and I went for breakfast at the Rialto Café. It is next to the street drawing I did a few days ago when I was across the street having another cup of coffee. Rialto’s coffee is much better. Don’t tell the people across the street I said so!

Hiltcher Walking Trail

Hiltcher Walking Trail

Horse Stable

Ink on paper

This is a horse stable that I walk by on the Hiltcher Trail. There is a small structure for chickens and the stable with the corral attached holds two horses. Ivy is interested in the chickens but the horses just aren't interesting for her, well except for the time the black one got loose and ran down the trail with his owner walking behind him to eventually put the harness (that he was carrying) on to guide him back to the building. Ivy just looked longingly at the running horse wishing, I am sure, that she could run free, too. Ivy is a greyhound and loves to run fast, but at 45 miles an hour she could be a mile away in a minute and not know where she was or how to get back home. So she is never off leash unless she is in an enclosed yard.

 

Roses

Roses

Ink on paper

My yard has been neglected and now it is time to get serious about rescuing the roses and my poor vegetable garden. It is hard to garden in the extreme heat we have had. I planned on pruning (or cutting back anyway) the roses in August and here it is almost August. Where does the time go? I have to start by removing the weeds and that is a never ending task. This little sketch came after I had filled my compost piles and filled a few trash barrels full of unwanted stuff. Apples are falling to the ground and the tomatoes are so abundant right now. Plenty for drying and I have filled my freezer with applesauce and tomatoe sauce.  My neighbors have all they need, too.

Muckenthaler

Muckenthaler

Ink on paper

I have sketched this particular view several times and each drawing/painting is always different. I love the horizontal banding of the shade and sunlit grass.

Condiments

Table Top Condiments

Ink on paper

So often I sit somewhere like under a tree, or on a park bench or at a table waiting for my breakfast order to arrive and I pull out my ink pen and journal and get lost in a line drawing of anything. It’s so mesmerizing just to allow the form to materialize on the paper. No thought to thin and thick or light and dark or any other design rule. Just ink flowing out of the pen tracing a line of what I am looking at. Like an ant walking around the edges of what I see. To me it is the most calming thing I can do. Like a brain vacation. No vocabulary, no explanation, no critique just movement like a dance. It just feels good.

Walking Trail

Walking Trail

Ink on paper

I have continued to sketch and walk as an exercise program. The group I belong to, as I have mentioned before, is called Sketchercise. I tuck my journal in my backpack, then Ivy and I walk a few miles and then I sketch with ink, graphite and/or watercolor and walk home. This particular area is behind a hospital in Fullerton and at the end of a golf course. I love just walking with no goal in mind other than to explore and find something new to sketch.

Dana Point, Califronia

Dana Point, California

Ink on paper

I have been away for a month and really have so many sketches that I haven't posted so I will just put them in as I remember them. This one was done on a day that was over cast, with a dappled sky that let light through periodically. I remember that this was a great for just sitting and sketching.

POPPIES

POPPIES

Watercolor on paper

The Last Winter Poppies

Poppies

Watercolor in Handmade Paper Journal

This is the last entree in the last signature of my handmade paper journal. I have been working in this journal all winter and enjoyed this wonderful paper and how it takes the ink from my Lami pen and watercolor. Now all that is left to do is to finish stitching and adding it to the other signatures in my journal. Then it will be closed and placed on the book shelf with all the other journals only to be looked at (probably) when my children go through my things for the garage sale when I am moved into that old folks home or after I die. That sound a little too honest for the light of day but I am afraid it is the truth. How many of you artists out there in Virtual Blogland, that make journals, actually share your drawings with real live people?

ROSES AND POPPIES

Roses and Poppies

Watercolor on Paper

I worked in my garden for a few hours mostly chopping back the undergrowth. It has been a week since I have been able to weed and they have taken over. I am always so surprised to see how fast things change. I usually spend a little time in my garden everyday but with the other things that are going on I have neglected the weeds and they have taken advantage. After filling my compost piles to the brim I came across this collection of mingled roses and poppies and that was it. I stopped to paint and take a break. The poppies are almost gone. I love my poppies. People ask me, 'What is my favorite flower?’ I always say the one that is blooming of course.

Laguna Lake, Fullerton

Laguna Lake

Graphite on paper

Walking journal

Pasadena Street

Pasadena Street

Ink on handmade paper Journal

Night Drawing

Night Drawing

Ink on handmade paper Journal

I happened to find this scene that begged drawing.  I have looked at the way the street lights stand out at night and wondered about sketching them.  I worked on this until my pen ran out of ink.  I couldn't really see it that night and looked at it this morning.  I like the way it has only taken up some of the page.  I may work on it more but for now I like the way it looks.

Restaurant and Bakery

Restaurant and Bakery

Ink on handmade paper Journal

I had the opportunity to wait for a friend in this delightful place full of goodies for the eyes and the scences.  I never mind waiting if I have a sketch book with me.  In fact I have been known to feel a little disappointed when they show up on time.

Fullerton Arboretum

Tree at the Fullerton Arboretum

Ink on handmade paper Journal

I started this April 17 during the Fullerton Arboretum's Green Scene weekend.  I  had an opportunity to go back and finish it last Friday.

Just another parking lot

Parking lot

Ink on handmade paper Journal

It seems like I spend a lot of time sitting looking at parking lots. I think the real situation is that there seems to be parking lots everywhere, at least where I live. When I am painting my trees and trails it’s because I am looking the other way or simply leaving out the cars and people and putting in only the trees.

Salad Bar

Salad Bar

Ink on handmade paper Journal

One of my favaorite places to eat are the places that have salad bars.  I am a slow eater and when I sketch and eat I get even slower.  If I can get to the restaurant just after the huge lunch crowd I can sit and chew and chew and sketch and sketch until the dinner crowd comes and I need to give up my table.  Pluse I like to keep an eye on the dishes so when they come out fresh from the kitchen.

Garden Journal

Garden Journal

Ink on  handmade paper

I don't usually write in my journal but I thought I might just this once.  I won't again.  Here is what it says if you can't read it from the picture.

I can’t believe it is already 12:00. I have been working in the garden since 8 and I am ready for a rest. I have had a Towhee with me all morning but now I am not finding one bird to sketch. This is one of my new plants from the Green Scene. It’s a pink/salmon geranium. It’s name is Belinda.

Washington Navel Orange

Washington Navel Orange
Ink on handmade paper Journal


I love my little orange tree. I planted it when the children were little (they are in their 40's now) so that we could have fresh squeezed orange juice for breakfast. Well of course they are not around very often now but I still am enjoying my fresh squeezed orange juice every morning. I have 21 oranges left for this season. I only use the fallen ones so that they last longer and of course get sweeter. I have pruned it smaller now, only 6 feet high so I can take care of the tree without getting on a latter. I cut my apple back this year for the same reason. The apples will take care of my fruit needs till well after fall and of course all the veggies are coming along fine. I have already been eating tomatoes while I have been weeding.

Coffee Shop Parking

Coffee Shop Parking Lot

Ink on handmade paper Journal

I sketched this over a month ago now and am finally getting around to posting the things that have not been posted since my computer problems.  I always find the parking lots interesting with all the cars and all the people that must go here and there and of course grab their cup of coffee for the road.

Laguna Beach

Laguna Beach

Watercolor on Arch paper

I got to go to one of my favorite places - the beach. It turned out to be a beautiful day with some clouds, cool breezy fresh air and of course the color and movement of the water. I wish I could have spent hours but a stolen 30 minutes was all I could manage. Painting a quick sketch is a great way to spend a mental health moment. I feel so blessed to have paints in my car, an ability to use my art tools, a location that is so healing and the ability to post without too much trouble. I say that tentatively because I am still on my old computer.

Painted Dish

Painted Dish

Glaze on ceramic

I tried something new and painted with glaze on a ceramic dish last week. It was fun and different. What do you think?  It is micro and oven safe.  I think I need a service for four.

Channel Islands Exhibit at the Fullerton Arboretum

Channel Island Exhibit

Fullerton Arboretum

Ink in handmade paper Journal

A few weeks ago my garden/art buddy and I went to the Fullerton Arboretum to see where the Orange County Geranium Society booth will be for the Green Scene You can find it at this link: http://calstate.fullerton.edu/news/Inside/2009/arboretum-green-scene.html. I will be working the booth on Saturday so come and visit. We will be selling pelargoniums (commonly known as geraniums) varieties such as Zonal, Scented-leaved, Ivy-leaved and Regals. I will be sketching like last year so if you are going to visit don’t stand in one place for to long or you will be in my next week’s posting.  This time I am not going to forget my camera.

Riverside Garden Tour

Riverside Garden Tour

Ink on handmade paper journal

Computer ........ Can't afford them and live without them.

Well I had another computer hospitalization but she is back now and fully loaded so tomorrow I will be back at posting and try to post the sketches and paintings I have been working on for the last 2 weeks.

Walking in the Fog

Spring is here and for California that means fog. I walked out the door and went right back in for my camera. Foggy walks are my favorite,

First I found this clover blossom. When I use my macro lens I have to wait to see what I captured when I get back to the computer. All of these pictures can be enlarged and I tried to make them as large as possible.

This is a Dandelion.  Enlarge this one to see all the little droplets.  Very Cool!

This one I gave a little boost with Photoshop.

IRIS

Iris

Graphite on Journal

I have been working in my garden getting ready for the growing season. I have pruned for weeks now and still have not finished and the weeds are everywhere. I really don't mind weeding it just is never ending. I consider my yardening activity just like go to my local gym. I work in the garden for a few hours a day normally but during this part of the year the time is much more because there is so much prep in veggie gardening and getting those roses and fruit trees under control. My sketch for today is the sketch I work on when I just need to sit for a while to rest, hydrate and enjoy the wonderfully fertile soil that is now visible because I have pulled all those weeds out.

Brea Hills

Brea Hills

Graphite on journal

The snow is still visible from the trail that Ivy and I enjoy and so I took the time today to sketch the view. I notice the view is changing because a housing development has claimed the crest of one of these slopes. If they would have just dropped the houses down below the top of the hill there would still have been a view and would not have ruined the visual impact of these hills. Ah money, that's what its all about. If a community sets its standards around money I find esthetics suffers.

Light blue Iris

Iris

Graphite in journal

This is a new Iris in my garden. My friend Lillian and I splurged last year and purchase a few new colors to add to our gardens on the plan that when they multiplied we would share with each other doubling our plants. Lillian.... are yours blooming yet?  This one is the most lovely shade of very light blue and about 30 inches tall.

A View of Los Angeles

Los Angeles

Ink on handmade paper journal

It rained yesterday and when it rains the sky is clean and clear for a few hours. Today, from a walking trail in the hills I could see Los Angeles, about 40 miles away, very clearly. I always forget that I live in a basin surrounded by mountains and hills because you usually can't see them because of smog and air density.  

Iris

First Iris of the Season

Watercolor, ink

It's happening! Everything is starting to bloom and leaf out like apple and pear blossoms, veggies like tomatoes, squash and potatoes and of course daffodils and iris and weeds. Oh ya, and nasturtiums everywhere. I made my salad with the flowers from my nasturtiums today and the lovely fresh radish taste just was delightful. OK everyone out there where winter is still at your door step…..spring is coming.

Rainy Day Flower Box

Window Flower Box

Watercolor on handmade paper

I went out early to do my walking with Ivy and to capture a sketch so I could participate in the Skethercise group I belong to. I had sketched this last week but didn’t paint it because it was raining. I painted it when I got home from my walk

Portrait

This is a portrait of someone who didn't know I was sketching her.  Meetings are wonderful for this kind of thing.  Everyone is traped...... some listen some drift away in thought and some make shopping lists or sketch.  I think she was on a mind vacation. 

Walking Trail

 

Hiltcher Trail

Watercolor on Yupo

It was supposed to rain today but I gave it a chance and even thought the clouds dance with the sun creating these wonderful shadows and bright spots of sun I was able to walk, paint and get home before the clouds opened.

Reading Glasses

Reading Glasses

graphite on paper

Peaches from South America

Peaches

graphite on paper

I have started a new sketchbook that is just for graphite.

Doodling

Doodling

Pall point pen on paper

I know you have all done it. 

Doodling. 

That is when you just see what happens as you draw lines on paper until you run out of

paper, ink or time.