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

"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

"Tonight's Self Portrait" (quickie)

Well, here's tonight"s quick sketch (not a good likeness) of my mug:

"Durham Davis House"

From trip to Wilmington/Wrightsville Beach, NC,  one month ago ( November ):

                                                             Precise pen on sketch book page.

"July 4th 2015"

                                           'peach bottom' road view
                                           cool mountain air refreshes
                                           fourth of july fun

                                           water color on sketchbook page
                                           10" X 7"

O my!  What a delightful time we had on the 4th!  My family gathered at my nieces farm in "Laurel Springs" and had such fun.  She and her husband made good ole North Carolina bar-b-que and the rest of our clan brought all kinds of wonderful sides like fresh tomato sandwiches, green beans, squash, cucumber salad, potato salad, watermelon and an array of scrumptious delectable desserts.  The mountain air was so much cooler (mid 70's and low humidity) than down in the Piedmont plateau where we've experienced many days of 90's with high humidity.  We had such fun watching the kids swimming in the pond, jumping from paddle boats, and simply playing with gleeful abandon all day.  I personally enjoyed sitting under a large "shade tree"  while playing with my watercolors.  At dusk, Jason built a fire in their fire pit that was enjoyed by all as the temps continued to drop and displays of fireworks across the ranges (Jason's were the best!) were exchanged by several mountain inhabitants. I'll never forget this day.

"Izoria's Garden"

                                                     just before sunset
                                                     warm and humid glistening
                                                     after day's late rain

                                                      graphite on sketchbook page
                                                      7 3/4" X 10 1/4"

Memorial Day Weekend

  The weather was so pleasant last weekend. I sat on the patio in our garden and did this watercolor sketch. I spent a couple hours the first day and then came back again the next day at the same time of day and spent about 30 mins. to finish it.
  It is painted on the cover of a new handmade sketchbook that was given to me.  I spoke (about plants and garden design) to a garden club a couple years ago and one of their members is a book binder who made this lovely book.  Why am I just now using it?  I just couldn't decide what I wanted to do with such a beautifully made book.  Well,  it finally occurred to me that of course it should be used to create sketches of gardens, trees and botanical studies.  So, I have broken the seal and the fun has begun!

                                                    

Recent Drawings

"Waiting for the Ferry"
graphite on 10" X 7" sketchbook page

"Bo Napping"
graphite on 10" X 7" sketchbook page