Day's sketch book

"Creating More Then Art"

2007-03-21T17:44:00.000-07:00

This was done when I was watching one of my bible shows. Some preachers talk so fast you can't follow in scripture, so I decided to sketch what I was hearing. Then I can go back and look up verses.

"Insulator"

2007-03-16T07:02:00.000-07:00

Well this is my first attempt at painting glass. I was on my patio and learned when working with glass work quickly before the sun moves. This is in my 4x6 sketch book, pen drawing then painted over....

" I Hate When This Happens"

2007-03-15T22:14:00.000-07:00

I was at ...well you know... I was just sitting having lunch and spotted this little girl on a hamburger stool. I quickly started sketching her but before I could get to her facial features she ran off to play, I tried to draw her face but it came out ...not so good. So I got frustrated and covered her hair all over...."I Hate When This Happens"

"Test Paint"

2007-03-15T21:53:00.000-07:00

Well as I was painting The"Insulator", I was doing a test paint paper.This is it. I added a couple of sketch lines , and this is the result....Like it or not.

"Sleeping Cat"

2007-03-08T05:59:00.000-08:00

This was another painting I did last night on the porch, I just wanted to play with color, I like it. 4x6 in water color sketch book.

"Yellow Mum"

2007-03-08T05:45:00.000-08:00

This perky little flower sits in a simple clay pot on my patio table on the porch. I sat out there last night after a hard day of work. This is in my little 4x6 canson 140lb cold press paper.

Art 4 Art Sake

2007-03-04T09:26:00.000-08:00

O.K. this may be pushing it, but it's still as much fun as it was when I was young. It's IS called "etch a SKETCH". So that's my story.

The journey begins

2007-02-13T05:50:00.000-08:00

My freind John has started his journey about a week ago, He is taking his two dogs and is driving the United States taking in the sites and will be updating us on his web site, which I will post later.

My Hand

2007-02-13T05:22:00.000-08:00

This is a new sketch book I purchsed, It's only 4"x6" so I can easily take it with me anywhere and do quick sketches. Then I take it home and paint them.

Monkey Tree

2007-02-01T20:27:00.000-08:00

This is a primary drawing for a mural. My nephew and his wife are expecting their first child (a little girl) and the theme is jungle animals. I'll add a few more animals and play with it a little more, right now I'm just monkeying around with it.....

"Daffodils"

2007-01-21T20:07:00.000-08:00

watercolor on 9x12 block. Just needed a little sunshine and looking forward to seeing my own daffodils come up and bloom in the next few weeks. So far they are up about 2-3 inches out of the ground as well as my tulips.

Cymbidium Orchid

2007-01-20T07:46:00.000-08:00

Watercolor on 9"x12" block. I purchesed this orchid plant a few weeks ago with the great idea to paint the bloom. The actual size of the flower is 3 and a half inches by 2". I've never tryed this much detail to a flower bloom before, after several hours I'm pretty happy with it.

Testing 1-2-3 (2)

2007-01-05T05:28:00.000-08:00

I realized I forgot to finish sketching final phase. Now I think the picture looks detailed. This was done from my imagination, no real reference.

Testing 1-2-3

2007-01-04T18:22:00.000-08:00

I received a gift certificate for Christmas. Today I used it to buy 3 sketch books. One for pencil and 2 for water color. This is done on a 4x6 canson, 140lb. cold press. And since I don't normally work on such small paper I purchased 2 new brushes as well. Thanks Tami & John.

"Belly Dancer"

2006-12-31T17:25:00.000-08:00

This is on my block. Last night my brother Dave, his girlfriend Heidie and I went to a Mediterranean restaurant in Walnut Creek. Salena was the belly dancer that preformed. She is a lot prettier than the painting and really nice. She gave us information for taken lessons, Heidie and I just might.

"Brown Hat"

2006-12-29T09:15:00.000-08:00

This is on my block, The hat was a gift from my...sister's boyfriends grandmother...She passed earlier this year. Knowing that I love old hats, my sister Denise presented my with this lovely gift. The main part of the hat has a shiny-glimmering look that I tried to achieve with salt to no avail. Any tips would be appreciated.

"Fruit of the Earth"

2006-12-28T19:18:00.000-08:00

I keep this jar of cream by my big chair where I like to draw, play on the computer and generally hang out.

"I AM ME"

2006-12-26T17:35:00.000-08:00

This is in my aquabee. A self portrait of sorts. Well if a picture says a thousand words, I don't need to explain.

"Mom Mom"

2006-12-22T23:33:00.000-08:00

This is a black and white photo I hand painted with watercolor paints. I took this photo the last time I saw her about 13 yrs. ago. Today she took a journey to a place where she will never know pain, and she will once again remember who she is. We will miss her but it is a comfort to know she is in a much better place.

"Favorite Things"

2006-12-22T06:30:00.000-08:00

This was done on watercolor paper that come in card form with envelopes, I purchesed from Aaron Bro's. I used a Christmas ornament I bought for the cats a few years ago as my subject. When I discovered I painted on the card upside down I used it as an e-mail card. I'm very pleased with the way it came out. I was telling Tami http://tamslines.blogspot.com/ about the Faber-Castell pens I bought from office depot. They are water proof so I can draw out the picture and then come back and use watercolor paints, and they won't bleed. So I guess these are a few of my favorite things....

"Santa's Hot"

2006-12-20T21:41:00.000-08:00

Christmas cheer is here! This is in my sketchbook, it's a incense burner I bought a few years ago that comes out once a year and helps make the house smell woodsy.

"Goebel" Bird

2006-12-19T19:06:00.000-08:00

This little cutey is a ceramic bird made by Goebel that I acquired from my sister-in-laws mother or as I like to call her Mom. She gave me her collection of four. It's alot prettier then the painting. Although I think the face turned out well.

"Breakfast Out"

2006-12-17T15:26:00.000-08:00

Tami called this morning to meet her for breakfast and bring the sketchbook. The table next to us provided my victims. I didn't have time to get the Mom and the sister, and tho I'm still trying to draw people I think it turned out ok

"Is This Considered Art"

2006-12-14T20:19:00.000-08:00

O.K. maybe not. Tonight I baked a chocolate cake topped with a chocolate glaze, sliced almonds and strawberries for a party tomorrow at work and we are to bring a wrapped gift. I painted with watercolor on butcher paper to make my own wrapping paper....and that's my story!

Look Out

2006-12-13T18:33:00.000-08:00

I did this in my 6x9 aquabee sketch book. Last week at one of my school sites, I looked up and saw this girl hanging on the flag pole on the look out for her ride. She looked so high spirited it made me smile. Then I thought "now that will be a great picture".

Eleagance 2

2006-12-11T16:33:00.000-08:00

This was done on 9x12 block watercolor. This is my take on http://ephemeral-light.blogspot.com/ Whispers blog. Her photo inspired my to paint this version. I like the dress and the shoes.....the legs not so much...After 2 hours of trying to get the colors to blend, I decided to give up. Plus I started destroying the paper.

1519 Fire Hydrant

2006-12-10T18:04:00.000-08:00

This is another watercolor on block. This is an old rustic hydrant on my route that I found....charming and I thought I give it a go.

Photo of painting

2006-12-10T08:24:00.000-08:00

I decided to post the photo also, The painting was done on sight not from the photo but I like taking pictures just for reference. I enjoy seeing other bloggers/ artists showing the setting of where their painting, as well as their vision. So here is mine.

Rockville Hills

2006-12-10T08:12:00.000-08:00

Yeah, I found my camera right where I left it in the car! This is the water color on 9x12 block. It is done loosely and the for ground is really a black top road that I decided to omit. I might do some detailing later but I wanted to get something posted.

Oh No!!

2006-12-06T05:37:00.000-08:00

After a great day of taking photos to paint and starting a water color on my block, I now can not find my camera...It's the only way I know how to post my paintings..Oh No...

Funky Old Hat

2006-11-30T19:42:00.000-08:00

This is my hat I wear when I paint or need to get creative. I have had this hat for over 20 years. And the star pin that hangs out on the side, my mom gave me....I can't even remember when...When I'm not adorning it upon my head, it sits on top of my easel patiently waiting for me to play.

Sick at Home

2006-11-29T13:00:00.000-08:00

Today I stayed home from work so I sat in my big chair wrapped warmly in my big fluffy robe and engulfed in a sea of blankets. I tried to draw myself drawing me. I started painting the sketch and well the drawing is much better. Once again I am glad I took a photo before I messed it up.

Brick Patio

2006-11-27T17:01:00.000-08:00

Back in September I posted "Pile of Bricks" when I was working on this project. Well the patio is done and a small retaining wall where I planted bearded iris, tulips, snapdragons and a few more little goodies. The patio is just big enough for a cosy chair and small table...

White Vase

2006-11-26T08:24:00.000-08:00

24x36 canvas in acrylics, I purchased this vase at goodwill for something like $4.00. I think it's one of my favorites. The painting I did last night, although I think it needs a little more work, but I wanted to post it because I usually start over working the medium. It just felt good to slap some paint on canvas and due to the size of the piece I was able to get a lot of movement in the strokes.

Leaf of Faith

2006-11-25T17:43:00.000-08:00

I did this today realizing I've been avoiding painting anything...It was just done with brush in hand and let the paint make what it wanted to. I like it better in the sketch book where the colors show more of the pinks and blues. I don't know why I have so much trouble some times, maybe just lack of confidence but as my brother Dave says "just get over it"...wise words of wisdom

Lotus

2006-11-13T05:48:00.000-08:00

This was done at home after learning some more cool techniques. The sun was done with salt and the water was done with plastic wrap. The drawing was originally done in one of my journals in color pencil. When seeing the results at class I knew this was the picture to do....The ink I used as the border is not what was in my head, I think I'll do something else next time.......HEY, I just noticed I forgot the border in the water...DANG

Primrose and Alyssum

2006-11-10T21:24:00.000-08:00

I bought some winter color for my new planter. These will be planted with my new bearded iris and some snapdragons...

Hey Stack In Blue

2006-11-10T17:56:00.000-08:00

Hmmm, This is another sketch from Tami's photo site...It's probably better to go out hiking, finding a nice quite spot and communing with nature...but at 4 in the morning Tami's photo blog and a cup of coffee is just fine with me.

"fuzzy" slipper

2006-11-08T20:02:00.000-08:00

practicing texture........

Rose Hip

2006-11-08T18:37:00.000-08:00

I did this as a quick sketch this morning and I'm glad I did. When I came home from work, poor Leo's face was swollen up like a balloon. He is at the vet's tonight while they tend to him. I did this from a photo on Tami's photo site...Thanks Tami.

Blue Door

2006-11-05T09:39:00.000-08:00

I did this with the concept of texture, I lost the continuity of the wall and will probably try this again but for now this is it. I'm just glad to be home listening to music and lost in my little world......

Value Painting

2006-11-05T07:34:00.000-08:00

I did this in class yesterday. The objection was to paint with different values of the same color. This was from a photo of opuntia cactus. Although it doesn't look like the photo I think the challenge was a success and I learned alot and it inspired me to come home and paint, which is the whole objective anyway..

Fairwind Farms

2006-11-03T21:14:00.000-08:00

This is a farm I pass on one of my routes, I love passing thru this area. It's not to far off the freeway but as you drive thru you feel like your a million miles away from the hustle of the working world.

2006-10-31T05:54:00.000-08:00

light & shadow

2006-10-28T17:49:00.000-07:00

I made it to class today and we were learning about light, I learned some new techniques and learned what not to do also...

Loose

2006-10-23T18:18:00.000-07:00

Well I missed class last Saturday, But with the help of Tami and her description on her site I came up with this. I think I should of got more colors in the base...but I think it came out well.

Pansy

2006-10-20T20:39:00.000-07:00

This took alot more effort then it looks like. I generally take photos as I go just in case.... This is one of those times when it really came in handy...

Perlagonium parts

2006-10-18T19:17:00.000-07:00

I'm not really happy with this but I'm glad I did something. The great thing is I did a painting and I planted my geraniums and some pansies after a hard day of work.......some times it the little things in life...

Snow caps

2006-10-14T18:45:00.000-07:00

I painted this from a cover of a book. I was trying out some new techniques I learned from class. Flat wash, wet on wet and dry brush. The blue in the water bled a bit but I'm pretty happy with it.

Pumpkin

2006-10-14T17:06:00.000-07:00

I haven't posted for awhile, this is a painting I started in class today. I started over working the colors and decided to stop the madness. I'll try to create more depth....later....for now this is it.

Leo sleeping

2006-10-12T20:08:00.000-07:00

10min drawing in sketch book this morning, but he didn't want to move so I could post, and I had to get to work. It's funny as I was drawing Leo he didn't even move from my lap..

UNDER CONSTUCTION

2006-10-08T16:50:00.000-07:00

I haven't painted any thing. I started Jana's watercolor classes on Saturday. Not only was I inspired to paint, I loved her studio so much I decided to change my art room. I'm moving ALL the furniture and painting one wall. Well I've been working on it for the last 7hrs, and 5 coats later I'm still trying to get a full coverage. It's a very deep purple (really pretty) I know I will love it but I will NEVER paint this color again.......maybe.

Scare Crow

2006-10-06T05:50:00.000-07:00

OK so it's not so scary, I was trying to just play with color in the sky and land. It's interesting!

Apple Vase

2006-10-04T18:51:00.000-07:00

This is what I found to paint outside on the patio after work on a rainy day. I think it took me longer to get a picture that was not fuzzy to post than it took to paint.....hopefully after taking painting classes with Jana, I'll be able to get a better feeling for depth in my paintings. But I had a good time doing it and It does make a difference painting on a semi-daily basis.

Driving Ms. Daisy

2006-10-02T16:29:00.000-07:00

I drew this from a photo I took, while my friend and I took a drive to search for things to draw. I did this a few weeks ago, but I needed something to post today so I'm glad I had it waiting in the wings

Sattui "2"

2006-09-30T14:17:00.000-07:00

This is done in pencil, I took a few photos at the winery so I could do some sketches at home. I'm glad I did. I might try to add some color and re-post....we'll see

Sattui Winery

2006-09-30T09:05:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I took the motorcycle to the Napa wine country. It was a beautiful fall day. The winery was bustling with people enjoying their purchases and a picnic. And look, I did people.

Old Town

2006-09-29T08:56:00.000-07:00

I did this from my head. I think it looks like down town Suisun City. It took me longer than I thought, but It was so much fun. It's like a little miniature world. Next time I'll attempt adding people..

Argyle Socks & Black Shoes

2006-09-28T10:00:00.000-07:00

This was to help me draw legs and feet. I did this from my head and I'm pleased with the way it turned out. I was trying for a little girl look but I don't think I captured the youth I was looking for. But all in all I like it.

Busy day at the Market

2006-09-27T17:30:00.000-07:00

Well a lot of things can be said about this one, but I had a great time with Tami going to Larry's Produce stand and drawing in public. I truly apologize to anyone in this drawing. And no these people were not dwarfs. I think Tami captured a better feeling of the busyness of the day but all & all I had fun!!!!

Pineapple

2006-09-26T19:11:00.000-07:00

Fresh pineapple from Hawaii, a present from my nephew and his wife. Tami and I enjoyed the sweet nectar while we painted the gift outside on the back patio.

Pile of bricks

2006-09-20T18:24:00.000-07:00

Today's project is to take this pile of brick and make a small patio. After 5 hours of pruning and turning dirt I decided to finish tomorrow. I'm just glad to get something down on paper....

Black Leaf

2006-09-15T13:16:00.000-07:00

This is a chalk drawing I did a while back. It was sitting on my drafting table and started folding at the ends. This was to become another multi-medium painting, but it just never made it.

Keep Trying

2006-09-13T18:54:00.000-07:00

I thought this up in my head last night while trying to sleep. Funny, It didn't look like this at all. I like the orchid and vase somewhat, other than that . Not so much!!!

Contemplating

2006-09-10T18:29:00.000-07:00

This is a salt shaker I purchased in Alaska in year 2000. Some times I just have a hard time drawing. Today was one of those days. I saw this in my hutch and thought that's good! Maybe I kind of feel a little like this. Isolated and alone, I just left my brother Danny's house, where I stayed for a couple of day's. Their house is so full of people, love and activity it takes an adjustment to living alone. But all in all, I'm glad to be home....

painting with pencil?

2006-09-08T10:13:00.000-07:00

I didn't know what to draw, so I drew a pencil, then a paper and let it draw its self. This is what came out. Interesting......

Sun Flower

2006-09-07T10:23:00.000-07:00

This sun flower was done with my new D.S. water color paints. Wow I love them. I never worked with artist quality paints before. I can tell the difference between opaque and transparent......I think I'll play some more.

Full Moon In September

2006-09-06T19:03:00.000-07:00

I did this in ink today. Last night when I went outside I noticed that the moon was almost full and I thought it would fun to do. The moon looks a little more like an orange or something, but I like the swirling motion in the sky.

Hand with Orthoceras fossil

2006-09-06T18:54:00.000-07:00

I did this pencil sketch this morning, what can I say. Drawing human parts are hard.

Do not tell the secrets of the garden

2006-09-04T18:39:00.000-07:00

I drew this yesterday sort of in a hurry, But I wanted to get use to doing something every day, When my new paints come in I'll most likely redo it. But for now it's here.

illustation Friday "SAFE"

2006-09-02T14:26:00.000-07:00

OK here's the story, Thursday evening when I was doing my man drawing in the living room, I decided to watch a show called Hauntings...any one how knows me, knows I don't do "scary" I mean I go thru nightmares, REALLY BAD ones and well you get the point. Well I saw not 1 but 2 episodes...needless to say by 10 o'clock I was scared to be alone.... I watched two hours of Who's line is it anyway..that didn't help..so I got my 26 pound cat Claude, got a book and crawled into bed with all the lights on.....till 2 in the morning.....and that's my story.

2006-08-31T22:03:00.000-07:00

2006-08-31T22:00:00.000-07:00

Man drawing

2006-08-31T21:50:00.000-07:00

This was a pencil drawing I sketch out of a book, I'm very pleased with it and it gives me hope. I included a few different shots of the same picture from different angels and in different light. I think it's amazing how different it looks.

Dance

2006-08-31T12:56:00.000-07:00

OK this is not the Mona Lisa , but It's the first picture of a human that I would ever show to any one...I like the movement that it gives and it was fun doing. It took me about hm-mm 4hours to do. It is in ink and water color and is definitely not a self-portrait. I tried to add more depth in the color but I started over working the paper..I think I just need to let the paint dry between colors on certain areas.

Fairy lily and Lobelia in the warm summer morn.

2006-08-30T19:54:00.000-07:00

I did this picture this morning, the fairy lily's are in a pot with a camellia and the lobelia is in a different pot. I learned a lot doing this painting. It's amazing how different the camera See's the picture then my own eye's. I went back at least 3 times adding color and blending to get the colors that showed what was in my head.

Don't put all your eggs in one basket!

2006-08-29T11:32:00.000-07:00

This pen and ink was a sketch from a very bad day. I started an application for a new job as I am currently unemployed, The first wave of tests and paper work started over six weeks ago. I was almost overqualified for the job. At last I got the call that assured me the job, just the last round of test and physicals remained. Today I was notified due to my old back injury I did not get the job.... Because everything was going so well with the interviews and such I didn't look for anything else..So I was remembered a little to late...Don't put all your eggs in one basket..

2006-08-28T09:41:00.000-07:00

This is a pen and ink of my idea of a street in Europe, not that I've ever been there, but I would love to go "some day". I love the texture and old weathered paint, use of colors and the feeling of belonging. This is my first try, the sketch was inspired from another blog that said she used popcorn for flowers. Well I didn't have popcorn so I used rice cakes...

2006-08-28T09:31:00.000-07:00

2006-08-28T09:25:00.000-07:00

2006-08-28T09:01:00.000-07:00

Here I go exploring the world of blog, this is done in pen and ink of my living room. Looking at other peoples sketch book, I'm very ascared "a Tami word". Everyone is an inspiration and I'm looking forward to expanding my painting ability. I'm finding out that I'm not getting the colors I want and ink is some what different then water colors.