"Blue Ridge Pasture"

 Posting drawings from past outings.
Creating atmospheric depth is a challenge with graphite.

                                         11" x 14"
                                         graphite            

"July 6, 2019 in My Garden"

I stood in my kitchen door and looked out into our garden.  The early morning light was lovely this past Saturday. 

                                                   watercolor and "Pitt" artist pen on 7 3/4" x10 1/4" sketchbook page                             

"Jacob"

Here's a sketch of my other grandson.  The angle of his head and downcast eyes presented challenges.  I wish my reference photo showed his hands (hands are as individual as faces).  He was holding a leaf he had found on the ground during our "nature walk".

                                                     9" x 12"
                                                     graphite on acid free paper

"Zachary"

Continuing my recent urge to do portraits, I decided to do drawings of my two grandsons.  Using photos that I had made of them a few years ago,  I've completed the first one. 

                                                     9" x 12"
                                                     graphite on acid free paper

Self Portrait 1/24/2018

It's been awhile since I've done a self portrait.  Usually doing quick sketches while looking in a mirror,  today I decided to use a photograph and do one that is more involved than usual.  A couple of my students have been working on  graphite portraits from photographs.  So, I decided that it was time for me to do one to show them.  I took a "selfie" to use as reference.  Quite a revelation for me to discover wrinkles that I normally wouldn't notice or give any attention!

                                          12" X 12"
                                          graphite on paper

Jekyll Island, Georgia

Here are two sketches from a recent visit to Jekyll Island. Such a beautiful island with many old "Live Oak" trees that are covered with hanging moss.

The first sketch was done at "Driftwood Beach" , an area along the northeast side of the island where many storm damaged trees and limbs have found their way here over time.:

                                                        watercolor, pen and ink
                                                        on 7" x 10" sketchbook page

The second sketch is of a clump of trees along "Clam Creek Road":

                                           watercolor, pen and ink on 7" x 10" sketchbook page

"Path to the Beach" Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

                                                      graphite on 7" x 10" sketchbook page


                                                     

                                                       Found along the way:

                                                       graphite on 7" x10" sketchbook page

"Sycamore Beside the New River"

This past weekend we attempted to escape the heat and traveled to Jefferson, NC.  We visited friends in Crumpler and had a wonderful riparian afternoon and picnic alongside of the New River at their delightful setting there.  I enjoyed sketching this magnificent sycamore while embracing the soft trickling sounds of the  river and general peace and beauty of my surroundings.

                                                      watercolor and "Pit" artist pen on 7" x 10" sketchbook page

"Our Garden"

Our garden has been exceptionally beautiful this season.  Abundant Spring rains have kept everything lush and growing strong.  Many heretofore bare spots have been filled with transplanted divisions that I have made and other plants have spread into their allotted spaces.  I've finally been able to enjoy some time creating this watercolor sketch.

                                          watercolor and "Pitt" artist pen on 7 3/4" x10 1/4" sketchbook page
                                          

"Cumberland KnobTrail"

Day trip to the Blue Ridge Parkway this past Wednesday.  Had a lovely picnic at Cumberland Knob.  Walked down a trail and sketched this scene.

                                                       watercolor and "Pit" artist pen on 7" x 10" sketchbook page

"Our Garden on May 24, 2016"

I sketched this late in the day on Sunday and then painted it yesterday on site at the same hours as the day before.  This view is looking toward the east.  Right now the "rose campion" (the tall deep pink) is blooming along with the orange "butterfly weed", white "yarrow",  and short pink "ice plant".

 Most evenings I sit on our patio and sketch and also enjoy watching the birds at our feeders and baths-so peaceful and relaxing. 

                                                       watercolor and "Pitt" artist pen on 7 3/4" x10 1/4" sketchbook page

"Fort Fisher Partners"

Just returned from a short trip to the NC coast.  Only did this one sketchbook entry.  Again and again I return to Fort Fisher where there are many windswept, seaside Live Oak trees in thick groves.

                                                     watercolor and Precise pen on 7" x 10" sketchbook page
                                                    

"Carolina Beach State Park Live Oak"

I know this was created a few months ago.  However, I missed posting this one from last November (2015).  I went for a walk on a maritime nature trail in Carolina Beach State Park and came upon a stand of lovely "Live Oaks".  There were so many beautiful vistas that it was hard for me to "land" on any one of them. I finally settled for this composition.  I love the many directions of the limbs and the negative spaces created by their twists and turns.  These forms were made by growing for years in the winds and weather of this coastal region. Just to the left of this scene about 40 feet away is the Cape Fear River winding it's way eventually flowing into the Atlantic Ocean. The flora and fauna of coastal NC is so, so beautiful to me!

                                         "Live Oak"
                                         watercolor and Pitt artist pen on 7" x 10" sketchbook page

"New Hanover County Arboretum in November"

Here are two more plein airs that I did back in November at the New Hanover County Arboretum in Wilmington, NC.  I spent most of the morning on the first one.  After taking a break for a picnic at noon in this beautiful garden, I spent the rest of the day on the second one.

                                          "Red Bridge"
                                          watercolor and "Pitt" pen on 7 3/4" x 10 1/4" sketchbook page

                                                     "Tea House"
                                                     watercolor and "Pitt" pen on 7 3/4" x 10 1/4" sketchbook page

"Greenfield Park Fragrance Garden"

Greenfield Park is a very large park in Wilmington, NC.  It is located near the center of town and is also a cypress inhabited area.  Around the lake are many wonderful vignettes just like this lovely spot.

                                                     watercolor and "Pitt" pen on 7 3/4" x 10 1/4" sketchbook page

"Wrightsville Beach 'Resting' "

I enjoyed the color of these neatly stored beach kayaks.  The rack is built along the shore of "Banks Channel" at Wrightsville Beach, NC.  It was challenging for me to get the perspective and construction of the racks along with the placement of the boats.

                                            watercolor on 10" x 7" sketchbook page

"New Hanover County Arboretum Beauty"

Here's another plein air from back in November at the New Hanover County Arboretum in Wilmington, NC.

                                                      watercolor and Pitt artist pen on 7" x 10" sketchbook page

"Snow's Cut"

A very pleasant day sketching a view of "Snow's Cut" at the point where it connects with the Cape Fear River at Carolina Beach State Park.

                                           watercolor on 10" x 7" sketchbook page

"Incoming Storm"

This was a late day storm approaching the NC coastline one evening during "cocktail" hour.  I sat on our balcony and enjoyed the beauty as I painted (glass of wine close by).

                                           watercolor on 10" x 7" sketchbook page

"Wax Myrtle"

Another plein air from our November trip to Wrightsville Beach, NC:

                                          watercolor and PITT artist pen on 10" x 7" sketchbook page