Treena

Adopted by a dear friend, Treena and I hung out for a week while her owners got married. Treena is very sweet, in spite of the fact that she likes to eat. Everything!

Elegant older homes

I'm re-reading Danny Gregory's "The Creative License".  If that book doesn't inspire you to get back to or even to start sketching, I don't know what will!!!

Two very quick sketches touched up with my Pentel water brush -  done from the safety of my car yesterday, as it was a cold, rainy and gloomy day.  Finishing these brightened it up for me, though!

Phelps Mansion

An older west side home

Winged Migration - The Bar head Goose

These aptly named birds were shown in a snowstorm. 

It was challenging to capture the bitter cold.

Winged Migration - The White Stork

I love this movie! I have the dvd, and have watched it at least 5 times. (I'm kind of embarrassed to say it's really been 10 times!) The birds and the images are just lovely, and there may be more to come from this!

The Kitchen

I'd like to sketch a plan of each room in my house, with notes about each room. I like to sit at the counter with my coffee, and enjoy the view. It's not a huge kitchen, but it certainly works for me.

Coconut oil:
So far, I am really enjoying trying this.  Used to fry eggs and salmon patties, it adds a certain 'je ne sais quoi' to the taste.  It's also supposed to be more healthy for you than some other oils!  The young man in the health food section explained different ways to use it, but said he thought the best use was on his face! 

Whoa!

As part of my half-hearted attempt at minimizing and simplifying my life, I took an honest look at the quantity of sketchbooks I have. Some have been partially used, but none of these are full. So I hope not to buy anymore until there is a significant dent in this pile! Yes, I need to get going and sketch more!

Angry Orchard beer tap

Sitting at the local Blind Tiger bar, this little object caught my eye. 

Not a beer, I just found out! Instead, it is a "crisp and refreshing cider, 

its fresh apple aroma and slightly sweet, 

ripe apple flavor make it hard to resist." But it IS a fun to draw tap!

It reminds me of the trees in the Wizard of Oz!

Orlando, FL October 2012

Sketches from my recent trip to Florida.  

We had some rain, some sun, and some humidity, 

but overall, it was a lovely place to be!

A view of the spa building *sigh*

Ibis by the water

Kayaks are ready to go (But not for me -
I saw an alligator in the water!)

He was posing for me

Cool looking bird we drove by (Heron?)

Lady Liberty

Matted and framed, this 8x10 sketch was my donation for a silent auction benefitting
HFOT (Homes for our Troops).
Our organization raised over $12,000 for HFOT.
This organization builds specially adapted homes for free for disabled veterans. 
Visit www.homesforourtroops.org -
Thank our heroes and consider donating time, materials or money!

These four sketches were printed as notecard gifts.   

Flight delayed...

Flight delayed..., a photo by artbybernadette on Flickr.

Keeping busy with a sketch while waiting...

2012 Aug 31 Downtown Binghamton

Enjoyed a perfect weather day at the Friday Farmer's Market in downtown Binghamton.  

Fascinated with the building details I never noticed before, 

out came the sketchbook and pen.  Color was added later.

Sketch kit Sept. 2012

Trying to minimize things for upcoming travel. This seems to be the least for now! About 5 x 2 x 8 inches.
See my Flickr post for detailed notes on individual items.

Belated baby gifts

These children are not newborns anymore, let's leave it at that. I hope 'better late than never' is okay. It took me forever to make these cute name sketches, and now they are matted, framed and wrapped.

Aung San Suu Kyi

I've always been a huge fan of Aung San Suu Kyi. 

Recently, I saw Barbara's mesmerizing depiction here:

www.flickr.com/photos/barbara_luel/7808271992/in/photostream. 

Then, I watched Janina's excellent demo of her portrait technique:

www.flickr.com/photos/janinab/7850277284/in/photostream

So, when I saw this image of Aung San Suu Kyi in a Smithsonian magazine recently, 

I 'had' to try my own version. Thank you so much ladies for the inspiration!

My palette July 30, 2012

Something 'easy' to sketch during my recovery. I've been sketching, but not scanning.
As soon as I think I'm improving, I find out it takes a looong time to get back to 'normal'!
Every day, a little bit better!

Part of Applebee's decor!

Well, this was a new and exciting event for me - 

3 of my sketches were selected to be part of the decor at a local Applebee's. 

(Front Street, Binghamton, NY)

They wanted to use art and photography by local artists. (Me?!)

There's a second Applebee's in nearby Vestal, NY, maybe they'll include some there too!

I'll keep you posted!

I took pictures of them, but am also including links to the original sketches.

Farmer's Market

Conklin Ave clock

The Skirmisher

Art display at the Lost Dog Cafe

My art will be on display at the Lost Dog Cafe in Binghamton, NY 

this Friday for the First Friday art walk! 

It will remain there for the month of August. 

Also that night, hear The Ayana D Project from 9-12. :D

Rotator Cuff - like new!

You may have noticed I haven't been posting much.  That's because I've been busy and preoccupied getting ready for rotator cuff surgery.  I really wanted to keep a visual diary, but...the best laid plans...

Waiting at the doctor's office 

I used my iPhone to take a photo while she drew a blood sample!

Taking a blood sample

Just before surgery

Then, a final sketch while waiting to go in for surgery, tube stuck in my hand.  Left hand, which fortunately is my drawing hand, and the surgery was on my right shoulder. (Lucky me!)

SPAC Saratoga Jazz Fest

Relaxing to some excellent tunes from Christian McBride, Lisa Fischer, Hiromi and so many other superb musicians.  We didn't stay for Diana Krall Sunday night, as we all had to get up for work the next day.  It was a perfectly sunny and very hot day!  For me (the sketcher) I really appreciated the fact that most people were kind enough (and logy from the heat!) to sit still long enough for me to sketch.

No musician sketches yet, but that Hiromi is one amazing pianist!  She is so full of joy and energy that she jumps up, looks like she's just making a noisy mess when she bangs her forearm on the keys (no 'tickling' the ivories for her!), and the sounds she makes are mesmerizing and wonderful to see and hear.

Matching chairs

Medley

Stopped reading long enough to make a comment

Texting in between sets.  Maybe bragging to friends about where he is...

Foot tappin' music all two days!

Otsiningo Park Farmer's Market

On one of THE most perfect weather days of the year (so far!) I spent an hour at the farmer's market.  It was a great day for gorgeous produce!  I did four sketches, and bought zucchini and some yummy rhubarb cake! 

Be sure to support your local farmer's markets!  They provide natural, wholesome and delicious foods.

 'Closer to the Heart' Farm produce
www.facebook.com/CloserToTheHeartFarms/info

'Catskill Cattle Co.'
www.catskillcattle.com

'Hemlock Creek CSA'
www.hemlockcreekcsa.com/

Swiss Chard
'Vines Binghamton Urban Farm'
vinesgardens.org/

Courthouse monument

Every Friday in downtown Binghamton, they have a lunch concert and farmers market. So I took advantage of the beautiful weather today and sat on the courthouse steps to sketch.  Shame I left before the music started, though. Lots of construction going on to beautify Binghamton.