ATX Musing During Walks

I've been walking a lot in the mornings before working. During these walks I have been sketching. The subject matter varies. I've sketched people walking their dogs, vice versa, construction equipment, construction workers, etc. I've also been attracted to the morning atmosphere and how it affects the greens and sky. Transformers and telephone poles are showing up in a lot of my musings. They demonstrate connectivity.

Convict Lake

We spent an afternoon at one of Pam's favorite places in the Eastern Sierras. Convict Lake was absolutely beautiful. Pam got in some fly fishing while I sketched and took photos. This sketch was done in my Garza Papel sketchbook. The paper is very soft and is great for fountain pen sketching. The water was crystal clear. The surrounding mountains were a visual feast.

2016 First Tulips

I purchased tulips last weekend and got in quite a few paintings before the flowers transitioned. I worked on Garza Papel with Daniel Smith watercolors. The initial drawing was done in red ink. I haven't been posting enough. I am painting and filling sketchbooks but not posting. Not good. When I get home lately I just want to sketch, paint, chores and not be at a computer. From my Union Square sketchbook.

Sky Works

I did this little painting of a Commerce, Texas landscape a few visits ago. I slow it down a bit when I go home. Its nice learning to appreciate my home town as an adult. I see why my mom loved the place and never left. I used part of my gaza papel stash as a surface.

A sketch from my Crescent sketchbook.

Brazos Hipster Crossing

I snagged the photo that inspired this painting with my camera phone. They just had to be painted. Their body language and spacing drew me to the composition. I started with an ink drawing to which I later added watercolor.

Garden Beauty

d Happy New Year everyone. I'm am looking forward to 2016. I also look back on the year 2015 as a year of growth for our country and for me. I plan on drinking the wine, buying the art and laughing out loud. I hope to grow artistically and in my profession. Peace and love to all of you. I made this painting last year while painting in the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens. I worked with Garza Papel watercolor paper and my Daniel Smith watercolors.

Beach Sport

One of many paintings completed in early September. I worked in ink with watercolor washes on Garza Papel (paper). I love handmade papers. I enjoyed the group dynamics of this set of people.

Blight Of Condos

We are going through a lot of growth here in Austin, Texas. Condos are going up and being filled to capacity. Our city has lost a lot of its old feel. It takes longer to navigate the city these days and we sit in traffic a lot longer. I still love living here. I took a break from work on Tuesday and did this sketch standing at 11th and Guadalupe using a fountain pen on watercolor Garza Papel (paper). Daniel Smith watercolors were applied later.

We Leave It Behind

I made this painting standing on Pam's back porch. Pam had complained about how one of the workers wouldn't pull up his pants as I was doing the initial sketch. Of course this guy had his underwear exposed and that became part of the pun and painting. On a more serious note, I knew the man who lived in that house. He passed away this year. His house is being renovated for sale or rent. That's how I got the title. Gary left behind his home and belongings. I catch myself looking out Pam's window into his backyard. I miss him and I hope he rests peacefully.

Lone Diner Reluctant Model

The initial sketch for this painting was completed in a diner in Fort Bragg, California. This guy knew I was drawing him. I could sense his discomfort so I did a quick ink sketch and moved on to another subject. The ink was not permanent so I used it to establish the dark and mid tones before adding watercolor. I used the exquisite Garza Papel as a surface and Daniel Smith watercolors.

Cafe One Brunch

I love having lunch or brunch at Cafe One in Fort Bragg, California. The food is good for you in the sense that it is real food. I have sketched in this place many times. I did this one during Sunday brunch waiting for food. I worked with Garza Papel watercolor paper, Daniel Smith watercolors and my Parker ink pen.

A Flower Begins

This was my second visit to the gardens to paint. My agreement with Pam was that I wouldn't stay in one place the entire visit. I saw this bloom midway through the gardens. I did a quick sketch on Garza papel (paper) and moved on. I later added watercolor. I was attracted to the transparency of the petals.

Beach Puppies

I just returned from my annual birthday trip to Fort Bragg, California. It was a great time and I got to make many paintings and drawings while I was there. We spent a lot of time just sitting on the beach. I took those opportunities to sketch people and puppies. I did the initial drawing on site with a Parker fountain pen. I worked on handmade Garza Papel watercolor paper. Daniel Smith watercolors were added later.