This page from my new nature journal shows a selection of what I collected the other day when I took a walk in the woods near our house. I wanted to see how many “crops” (seeds, nuts, and berries) I could find as fall dwindles down and winter moves in. Ink & watercolor, two-page spread […]
Category: Sketchbooks
Dogwood Sketch & Time-Lapse Video
I’ve painted quite a few fall leaves in the past couple of weeks, but I was especially struck by the deep, rich colors of these leaves from the Kousa dogwood tree in our yard. It seemed like every possible autumn color was right there in the leaves on this one twig – deep burgundies, rich […]
Nature Sketching
In September 2015, I’ll be teaching a four-day workshop called “Sketchbook Journaling in Nature” at Touchstone Center for Crafts. Touchstone is a residential learning center located in the Appalachian mountains about 60 miles south of Pittsburgh. We’ll be visiting during one of the prettiest times of the year and will have plenty of opportunities to […]
Sketches from “Between the Covers” Art Show
I promised I would show you some of the sketches from the artists who participated in the “Between the Covers” art show that I was involved with at Artbeat gallery. I had a hard time choosing which sketches to share, since there was such a huge variety of styles and subject matter. In the end […]
Bleeding Heart Sketch with Watercolor Calligraphy
Every spring I’m tempted to sketch the bleeding heart plant that grows by our front porch, but I’m usually so busy weeding, pruning, mulching, and planting that I never get around to it. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed in the spring with all the yard work and gardening I have to do, but this year […]
“Between the Covers” Sketchbook Show
Between the Covers: Artists and Their Sketchbooks Artbeat Gallery Opening reception Friday, May 9, 2014 7-9 pm Artbeat gallery will be showcasing the sketchbooks of regional artists for three weeks in May at their Waynesburg, PA, location. The exhibit will give viewers a glimpse into the artists’ creative process – a peek behind-the-scenes to see […]
Squeezing in Sketching Time
Sketching time has been scarce for me lately, and I’ve really been missing it. Teaching, commission work, spring garden chores, and a whole host of other obligations have been filling my days, and it seems like everything needs to be done right now! When things start to get out of whack like that for me, […]
Sketchbook Journeys – Italy: Day 13 (Lovely Lucca)
The wide city walls surrounding the Tuscan city of Lucca date to Renaissance times and are one of best reasons to visit. They’re perfect for walking a dog, riding a bike, or strolling hand-in-hand. When Suzy and I arrived in Lucca, it was late afternoon, and as soon as we dropped our bags at our […]
Sketchbook Journeys – Italy: Day 13 (Tuscan Wildflowers)
Springtime in Tuscany…what could be prettier? 10″ x 7″, ink & watercolor in Stillman & Birn Beta series sketchbook As we drove through the countryside on our way from San Gimignano to Lucca, the scenes we passed were enough to keep a constant smile on my face. Olive groves, vineyards, villas, and bright green hillsides […]
Sketchbook Journeys – Italy: Day 12 (Siena & Casale Virgili)
Casale Virgili was the perfect place to use as a home base to explore Tuscany. The B & B owner, Roberto, was a sweetheart. He spoke English, gave us great advice on restaurants and sites to see, and even fixed my hair dryer for me! The seventeenth-century farmhouse and outbuildings were beautifully maintained and made […]
