Dana Point, California

It is so relaxing to sit and paint while feeling the wind, hearing the waves and the laughter of children playing in the water, the fog horn and the smell of ocean all this while I am trying to get the waves right.

When pelicans fly over their shadows follow them along the sand and over the rocks.

BUTTERFLY

During my morning walk I came across this butterfly hanging from this blossom. I of course grabbed for my camera but the memory chip was in my computer at home. I started to sketch it thinking that it would fly away any moment. It seemed to wait for me to finish because it flew away just as I was thinking about doing a better more clear drawing. The entire time I was sketching I kept thinking that I wish I had more time and some colored pencils or pastels. The wing calls out for pastel.

Then after my walk and already thinking of my day, with my house in view a neighbor child stopped to show me this butterfly she had found. I asked if I could sketch it and she allowed me to take it home.

Top of butterfly

Underside of butterfly

Maybe I will get my wish to try colored pencil on this beauty.

MAGNOLIA BLOSSOM

This sketch of a magnolia blossom has been drawn with a graphite pencil on recycled cotton paper.

The photo below was taken after I had sketched the flower and the petals had started to open allowing more opportunity to see the magnificent center.

STAIRS

I was helping a friend with her Rummage sale. The first couple of hours we made 25 cents. What do people do when they have time to do nothing? My friend took a nap. She was selling a huge old overstuffed lounge chair. I sketched these steps to the backyard across the street. The air was cool, birds were singing and I could hear the neighbors getting ready for church. I love to just observe nature and experience the morning.

Amaryllis

Today was a sick day but I did manage my daily drawing of this Amaryllis opening.

Rock Dove feather

WASHINGTON VACATION

View from livingroom window of neighbor's house on Thanksgiving Day.
While everyone else was relaxing, playing or eating somemore I selfishly took time to draw.

CALA FLOWER AND LEAVES

This cala is in a friends yard. It might be finished.

PAINTING DAY

Here are a few watercolor paintings from Saturday in the hills near San Juan Capistrano, CA.