False Bravado Or Self Care?

We encountered these young men while enjoying an afternoon stroll/sketch session at the marina. I immediately got a sense of false bravado as they walked past us. Of course being a Black woman I gave the customary chin "what's up" as we passed....strictly out of habit. Of course I turned around and took photos as they walked away.

This was the initial sketch. I was attracted to the lines and postures.

Where Is The Case

When I finished this painting the first thought I had was "where is the case". Maybe its somewhere out of the scene in the shade.

Sketchbook share

Commerce Country Roads

My mother loved riding around in the country and so did/do I. As and adult I photographed those same roads and used those photos to inspire paintings like this post. I did the initial drawing in ink. I dissolved the ink to create a grey scale under painting. I used Daniel Smith watercolors and a few inks to finish it off. I used to run by this scene a lot as a kid and young adult. The barn is long gone.

Something from my sketchbook.

Stream Reflections

This is an exploratory sketch for a larger set of paintings. Its from Samuel P. Taylor Park in northern California. One thought is to base my paintings on this actual sketch as opposed to the photo. Those reflections are going to be fun in any medium and I have plenty of work to do to capture that in paint.

Aggressive Floral

The second painting from last Sunday's visit to the gardens. I was painting while this lady told Pam and I her story. I know for sure that I can talk while painting. Maybe that is evident in the painting and I just don't see it yet. We were sitting in the shade because I had to cool off from a painting that was done in an hour of full on sunlight. I actually drenched my shirt completely. Luckily it was made of tinsel which drys fast and breathes.

I'm starting another sketchbook.

Cousin Drawing

Recently my family reached out to our family in the Sulfur Springs, Texas area. We have had reunions, holidays and just plain fun this year. I, being the artist get an entirely new group of people to paint and photograph. Plus it adds to my family series. I have painted Laroyce quite a few times. He is one of my cousins. I wonder if we were friends as kids. I find him to be funny plus he cooks good. He makes a great painting like all of my family.