Sketches & Stuff

"My EDM Challenges: 1 - 12"

2012-01-12T10:04:00.000-08:00

EDM Challenge #7: Draw a jar, bottle or tin from your kitchen.

I started this project two years ago and got 5 of the then, 250, challenges completed. So here I am this time tying to pick up where I left off only now there are 324 challenges.

Art-A-Day is blog started by a couple of local artists, I think mainly for local artists, not sure; the intent, I believe, is in the title. Thus my project of posting one EDM Challenge per day, in sequence, to this blog. So far I have 12 of the 324 completed and posted, so as you can see, I'm well on my, right?

You see, dear reader/follower, there are few, if any, dispursions here regarding the liklihood of my completing all 324. It's just this: I don't have a whole lot of other things to do other than rake some leaves, shampoo the carpet, shine the kitchen floor, keep the birdfeeders filled, clean the garage, prepare an ocassional meal, and make sure the trees don't leaf out until next spring. A full slate as you can see.

You can see the first 12 here, by clicking on the picture above.

And of course, comments are always welcomed.

"You & I Framing and Gallery"

2012-01-08T13:05:00.000-08:00

Ever since watching Tommy Kane draw the Red Hook Tavern in the Red Hook section of New York, I've been thinking about doing storefronts. Yesterday, Sunday, as I was driving past this storefront it caught my eye. It being Sunday I was able to park directly across the street, backwards, smackdab in the middle of a bank drive-thru.

This is "You & I Framing & Gallery" right here in our community. Mike and Brooke, owners, do a terrific job of supporting local artists by featuring a few of them each month in their gallery. They provide great frames and mats and will even cut local artist's mats for no charge.

"One Apple, and One-Half of a Pair of Pears"

2011-12-16T17:14:00.000-08:00

So I have decided to try some oil painting. This pear and apple are two of my first attempts since pretty much forever, well, I may have done some oil painting in a college class. I think that class might have been about a hundred and fourteen years ago and I just don't remember.

Although, wait, I do remember a headless nude, about 8x10, sitting on my parents' mantel for a while. They never said a word about it though, so I guess they were into fine art, like me, yeah, that's it. I think actually it was just me pushing the limits some just to see what they would say; and they said nothing, I took it as approval. Ya think?

Why was she headless, my painting's nude figure?? The face was just too hard to do, so I left it off. The figure was sitting, I think on a bench, or where a bench would have been, and her legs may have been crossed, and she had no head. Hmmmmm, I guess I did do oils in that class; and that's why I have taken so long to mess with them here because they were difficult to work with.

I had a lot of trouble with the pear (both in the painting of it and the posting of it here!), in fact, this is the 3rd, or maybe even the 5th, attempt. Finallyust painted the whole thing black and started over with a large brush and some yellow, white, green, red, and blue paint. Still not what I had in mind, but it's acceptable, to me.

I really like the apple. Someone on Facebook made the comment that she wished she just "find one that looked that good in the grocery store." Ok!!

oil on 5x7 canvas panels

"Occupy Christmas and Have a Happy New Year"

2011-12-04T17:11:00.001-08:00

While watching television a few nights ago, I took out my sketch book and started playing with something for our Christmas cards this year.

This is the tenth year in a row I have created something for the cards and every one of those years it has been a challenge to "come up with something." (See them all here.) But this time, it only took a few minutes.

If I were to do this again, or create something less "sketchy" for the card, I would have added a sign carried by one of the snowmen, saying, "Occupy Christmas."

Merry Christmas everyone, and have a Happy New Year, too!!!

"Faux Tuscan Architecture"

2011-11-10T15:41:00.001-08:00

I have had my eye on this structure in the "River Walk Village," for a number of years. It's located just off the main drag in Richland, Wa., and serves primarily as a fancy strip mall housing among other things, "Rosie's Ice Cream and Diner." As far as strip malls go, it's fairly pleasing to the eye; however, it is obviously not a bona-fide piece of real Tuscan architecture . . . no more than the castle in Disneyland is a bona-fide piece of Germany's Neuschwanstein Castle.

Sad, but true.

Driving home later I was lamenting the fact that this building and the old baroque-styled court house across the river in Pasco, are really the only "European" style buildings in our area of 100,000 plus population. And that got me to thinking about how utterly dismal all the architecture was way back in the good ol' days when buildings were constructed in this area with nothing other than the lowest government bids and they were all covered in asbestos siding, probably. Buildings then were built for nothing more than meeting the goal of the proprieters. Nothing fancy, just lay the foundation, put up the wood frame, plumbing, electrical, doors, windows (some), and get on with it.

I guess we are pretty lucky these days. Faux, or no faux, that is the question and I have to go with faux - for now.

"33rd World Wide Sketchcrawl - Clover Island"

2011-10-31T16:36:00.000-07:00

A couple of weeks ago our sketchgroup went down to the Columbia river here in Kennewick, WA., and out on to Clover Island to sketch the "bridges and things associated with them," for the 33rd World Wide Sketchcrawl. Clover Island is a man-made island, though I don't know when it was made I do know it was there in 1957 when we moved here from Texas. Back then it was littered with old boats, and dirty mechanic shops, a Coast Guard station, and a bunch of junky looking places.

Some years ago a restaurant and a hotel were constructed, and in the last few years the city has been working to dress the place up. So far, I think they are doing a good job of encouraging more commerce to move in; and they have put a decorative light-house and landscaping.

We had a good turn-out for the sketch, and in particular I had a great time sketching the island looking east first, then from the same spot, and on the next day, sketching the view looking west.

Both days of sketching were gorgeous, warm not cold, and the sun was shining brightly.

The top sketch is looking east, down main, the only street on the island. In the distance is the Cable Bridge. That bridge replaced the old Green bridge way back in the late '70's, I think. It's very modern looking with not one, but two sets of spires with the cables running down to support the roadway. On a really clear day, you can see the Blue Mountains in the far distance.

The lower image is looking west, from the same spot, on the next day. Here you can see one of the newly added buildings, the Clover Island Yacht Club, and the lighthouse, previously mentioned. In the far background is Badger Mountain. It isn't really a mountain, but here in eastern Washington, it might be the 2nd or 3rd highest point. The other bridge runs off to the right, way behind the lighthouse. I decided to leave it out of this sketch.

Hope you enjoy.

"The River Arno at Florence"

2011-10-28T14:29:00.000-07:00

So I was sitting here one night, feeling remorseful that we have such a sterile environment here in the deserts of eastern Washington in terms of things to draw and I went back to one of my favorite places: googlemaps.com. I highly recommend this site to anyone who wants to go places they can't get to in the very near future. Some of my favorite places to "tour" are found in Europe, so that's where I headed out to, on the computer . . . at googlemaps.com.

I landed in Florence, Italy, a lovely place to actually visit. In fact, it's much more ideal to go there in person, as I have in the past, than it is to sit here, even with a glass of iced bourbon, and move about the streets with my fingers, but I digress (isn't that what they say?).

Anyway one of the literally thousands of things to see in Florence is the Arno river, and in particular is the bridge known as the "Ponte Vecchio." The allure for this bridge is that one, the Nazi's didn't knock it down during WWII; and two, it is lined with shops, mostly selling jewelry. And I guess if there is a third, it would be the sheer beauty and fascination of such a place.

There are two bridges in this sketch that you can see: in the foreground is the "Ponte Lugarno degli Acciaioli"; and the famous "Ponte Vecchio" is in the background. The bridge you are viewing this scene from is the "Ponte alla Carraia."

This piece is hanging in a cheese shop here in our area, and it was for sale, until someone purchased it. Hated to see it go, but I do have the image on my hard drive and I do retain the copyright...

The reference photo for this drawing can be located at this site.

"Hedges Winery - Red Mountain, Washington state"

2011-10-02T08:39:00.000-07:00

A friend and I drove out to Red Mountain here in eastern Washington to find something to sketch. After driving around a while, viewing some very lovely landscapes scenes, closeup grape clusters, and wineries, we settled in here at Hedges Winery.

What I like about the facade of the building is that it has this classic European look. I'm not good at discerning the differences between Baroque, Renaissance, Greek, architecture (the art history class was waayy too many years ago), but I'm thinking it's in there somewhere. Anyway, we both settled in on this particular point of view and sat down in the late afternoon sun and had a great time drawing and adding some color.

According the reports we see in our newspaper and literature found at the wineries at Red Mountain, the terrior of the west side of the mountain is more similar to that of the French vineyards than any other locale in the United States. Sounds a little like a "chamber" claim, but who knows? I do know this, the wines they produce out there are very fine.

ink, watercolor, on 12 x 18 watercolor sketchpad

"Pear Cluster"

2011-09-04T16:57:00.000-07:00

I saw this cool collection of pears the other day and after looking at some fruit and vegetable sketches in someone's blog (sorry, don't remember whose), I decided to paint this little picture in my new 12 x 18 watercolor sketchbook.

I think they look rather smart there, floating in space. A little photoshopping was used, so I may have cheated some, still, it's ok. Afterall, it is art, right?

watercolor, PS, in 12 x 18 watercolor sketchbook

"rue de'l Abeurvoir: Paris, France"

2011-09-03T14:29:00.000-07:00

I went on another internet excursion through Paris today and found this quaint little scene on the rue de'l Abeurvoir.

Google provides the most amazing technology that allows the viewer to actually travel down practically any street on earth. That's how I got from eastern Washington to the streets in Montmarte this morning.

This scene is about a block from the famed Lapin Agile cabaret, in the Montmarte district. If you look in the background you'll see two of the spires on the cathedral Sacre Coeur peeking back at you.

I love Paris.

watercolor in 12 x 18 watercolor sketchpad.

"The Carnival at the County Fair"

2011-09-01T22:06:00.000-07:00

Our group of "509 Urban Sketchers and Painters" caravaned out to the County Fair and Carnival last Saturday morning for some sketching. This is my contribution from this particular location to the accumulation of local/regional sketches we are collecting.

Tomorrow we are off to one the three local Farmer's Markets in our area. We always have a good time when we go out together sketching, lunching and sharing our work.

watercolor in moleskine sketchbook

"The Gage Boulevard Cottages"

2011-09-01T21:54:00.000-07:00

These cottages sit on Gage Blvd in Richland, WA. They appear, here, to be isolated and sitting out on the desert somewhere. That's not far from the truth, but I left out a bunch of trees that line the 18-hole golf course behind the cottages and some of the other homes between here and those hills in the far distance. The hills really are there.

on 12 x 18 watercolor sketchbook

"Kennewick's Pentecostal Church"

2011-09-01T17:55:00.000-07:00

On one of the "side" streets in downtown Kennewick, this old church sits quietly almost in the wake of the city. How long it has been there, I have to guess and my guess is eary 1900's.

I grew up here in Kennewick, and this old church never caught my eye until just a few years ago. When I was a kid, and a younger adult, these old buildings didn't do much for me. Too bad, because now they do. Guess I feel like I have something in common with them...

on 12 x 18 watercolor sketch book

"The Un-Mad Hatter"

2011-08-14T10:30:00.000-07:00

Thomas Frejek is one of my favorite photographers on flickr. He has an amazing eye for interesting images and is blessed with all the photographic skills necessary for capturing them.

Some time back I asked him for permission to create an image from one of his photos of the character, "Tarrant Hightop," otherwise known as the "Mad Hatter" from "Alice in Wonderland," that he had posted at the link below. He graciously agreed to my request, and here we go...

This is my unfinished, and finished, rendition of that photo. It is also my largest acrylic to date, at 30" x 40".

I have been told the background should be completed first, but after messing with it and messing with it, the character took over my head and off I went with him.

In completing the painting I decided to add a touch of yellow to the background which turned it a kind of lime green that really pushed that orange hair off the canvas! The eyes had to be blue and though in photos his eyes look a bit "off," in real life they are spot on!

acrylic on canvas panel

Here's the link to Frejek's image.

"Only Worry is the Tide Going to Reach my Chair"

2011-08-03T18:01:00.000-07:00

Went down to the beach here in Lincoln City, Oregon, just after sun up this morning to catch the low-low tide. After visiting here for close to 40 years in the same beach house, I've never seen the tide low enough to get out to the big rocks that line the beach here.

As I watched, Zac Brown's lyrics, "only worry in the world is the tide going to reach my chair," came floating through my head so I went back to the house, grabbed my chair and my sketching equipment. What a joy to sit quietly and sketch, the "only worry is the tide going to reach my chair."

Of course, to match the lyrics I had to add the sun. The problem with that is that early in the morning here on west coast that means the sun is to our backs when looking west....oh well.

"Majestic Coastal Sentries"

2011-08-02T09:29:00.000-07:00

Like starched sentries, perched high on the hill, while overlooking the Pacific Ocean with ever steady and windowed eyes, they keep watch on the weather, all approaching whalers, cargo ships, pirates, cruise liners, invaders, and other bad guys.

Cuddled below them, on the sandy beach, we feel safe knowing they are there to protect and defend.

But really, they are mostly, and simply, rather majestic.

"32nd World Wide SketchCrawl"

2011-07-27T12:10:00.000-07:00

We call ourselves the "509 Urban Sketchers and Painters." Last Saturday we joined together with others from around the world for the "32nd World Wide SketchCrawl."

We drove out to local farm and found this old 1928 Chevrolet truck sitting smack-dab in the middle of the driveway; we couldn't keep our eyes off of it and four of the five of us all sketched it.

This is my entry into the collection for the day. I like how it turned out; and I hope you do as well.

If you click on the image you will be whisked away to our forum on the World Wide SketchCrawl page.

pigma micron pen and watercolor

"The Spudnut Shop"

2011-07-09T14:26:00.000-07:00

Once featured on the Food Nework, the "Spudnut Shop" in Uptown Richland, Wa., has been owned and operated by the Ghiarardo Family since 1848.

That little sign above the front door says so; and please, "don't call them donuts." So says the folks who run this little shop of delights that's open pert near all-the-time.

In the half-hour or so it took me to sketch and color this drawing there were probably at least 20 - 30 people passing through the front door; and, I think the guy on the far left was watching me. Obvious as I was sitting in my truck in the parking lot.

Fun little sketch and not as easy as one would think what with all the straight lines.

Enjoy, and remember, Carol. I know you do.

Farmer's Market - Richland, Washington

2011-07-06T21:25:00.000-07:00

Farmer's markets have become all the rage all over the country in recent years. I'm not sure what brought it on, but something tells me it has something to do with the cultural shift we have experienced in terms of finding local foods that are, according to someone, healthier than those shipped across country in large, refrigerated trucks. We also like to support our local farmers and food growers.

I think it might have something to do with some lady I saw on the Food Network who owns a restaurant down in the Bay Area of California (Oakland, San Francisco) who may have started the whole thing when she began featuring local produce in her menu items. People flocked to her restuarant.

Whatever it was that started the whole thing, I'm happy about it. I just wish the local farmers could compete just a little better with those in grocery chain stores. You know, those pink tomatoes with little flavor are cheaper than those big, juicy, lush tomatoes your farmer brought to market; but not by much.

"Parisian Street Lamp"

2011-06-29T18:11:00.000-07:00

A quick sketch today while watching the Seattle Mariners get swept by the Atlanta Braves on television. I had tickets to the game, but after Seattle lost the first two, I decided to scrap it and not go. It's only a four hour drive from my home to the stadium....

This image from the internet, somewhere. Such lovely lamps...I think these are on the Pont Neuf, one of the bridges over the Seine connecting the Left and Right Banks. Nope, just did a google for "pont neuf lamps," this isn't one.

Thanks to "tintinetmilou," for setting me straight. This lamp and others like it, as well as a collection of great sculptures decorate the "Pont Alexandre III." Click the link to find "tintinetmilou's" exquisite photo!

"It's Summer, Baby, It's Summer"

2011-06-22T11:30:00.000-07:00

These beauties, growing in a large pot on our pool deck, just seem to scream, "It's Summer, Baby, It's Summer!"

Looking them over yesterday I was thinking they might just make it into my watercolor sketchbook.

So, this morning, after the eggs, toast, and coffee, I went out with my trusty sketchbook and recorded them for all of posterity to know that today, here in the desert of eastern Washington, summer has finally arrived.

Yahoooooo.

"Mariners vs. Phillies" June 19, 2011

2011-06-20T09:54:00.000-07:00

On Father's Day, my wife and I traveled across state to this most glorious cathedral dedicated to baseball, Safeco Field, in Seattle.

We saw an amazing game where no one scored until the sixth inning, where our pitcher, Jason Vargas, threw a 2-hit shutout, where our lowly Seattle Mariners beat the team with the best win/loss record in the majors and
came within 1/2 game of
taking the lead in the American League West.

I sat next to a family of Phillies fans, a man and
wife and their teenage son.

They moved to Olympia six
years ago and have yet to shed any of that Phillie Phanatacism and turn toward becomeing true baseball fans and following the Mariners. We had a nice talk and kidded each other about the "quality of the opposition."

In the end it was nice to know the mighty Phillies weren't able to put more than two hits down and scored no-runs: zilch, nada.

It was great fun, and with the win, the ride back home was rather pleasant as well.

We'll do this gain.

"509 Urban Sketchers and Painters"

2011-06-12T07:17:00.000-07:00

While waiting for some friends, the "509 Urban Sketchers and Painters," to meet with me in this parking lot, this little coffee shop, off in the distance, caught my eye.

I didn't have time to finish it, so I added the color this morning while sitting in the early morning sun streaming through the kitchen windows.

I've been thinkinig about doing a series of these little coffee shops that have sprouted up all-over-the-place in recent years.

Once everyone was there, we caravaned over to the railroad yards for our session. This is my take on a line of cars sitting off to the side of this rather large train yard.

Trains come in here from Spokane (and points east), as well as points west to Portland, Oregon, and therefore up and down the west coast. Upon arrival here they are rearranged in this yard, depending upon final destinations.

There is a large hump in the yard where the bring the cars then leading down from the hump there are multiple tracks for making up all the different trains. It's a boat-load, or should that be "train-load" of fun to watch for a while.

"Ice Harbor Brewery"

2011-06-01T10:13:00.000-07:00

I had about an hour to kill while downtown today between hanging an art show and helping to hang another, so I drove down by the tracks to this old, ice-house-turned-microbrewery, parked catywampous in the parking lot, and sketched it out.

"Opening Day"

2011-05-16T08:55:00.000-07:00

What could be more fun than watching the little ones play baseball?

This last Saturday I joined my daughter and son-in-law to watch two of my grandkids on Opening Day. It was a real blast.

At one point one of the pitchers, who doesn't really pitch, sat down and began pouring dust over his legs while the game swirled about him. The center fielder sat just behind second base and pulled blades of grass.

I can't wait for the seagulls to start coming around - great times for long balls and lots of base running while the outfielders watch the birds.

I am definitely looking forward to summer with these little guys and my sketchbook!

"Under the I-182 Bridge"

2011-05-15T11:08:00.000-07:00

The I-182 bridge crosses the Columbia River between Richland and Pasco, Washington. Before it's construction, Pasco was mostly centered around two older bridges to the east that cross the river to Kennewick.

Once this bridge was built, Pasco started creeping toward it. Today this area, once all sagebrush, rabbits and rattlesnakes, mosaics still utlized agricultural areas with upscale homes, shopping centers, new schools and churches.

A week or so ago, while heading toward I-182 to cross the river, I missed a turn and ended up below it instead. Fortunately there was a small area for a turn-around in this spot; but when I turned in to turn around I noticed these fabulous perspectives shooting over my head. I had to stop.

Someone on flickr commented they hoped I hadn't had to sit in the weeds for this sketch. I had to smile some because where I was sitting - was in my truck.

"Lunch at the Lake Mead Marina"

2011-04-12T19:30:00.000-07:00

We are in Las Vegas this week with good friends, MaryJane, and Don. Today we drove down to Hoover Dam and walked across the new "Mike O'Callaghan-Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge"; then afterwards we drove to the Lake Mead Marina and had a late dinner.

One thing about traveling with non-sketchers is that it is rather difficult to stop long enough to do any sketching.

While we sat on this dock and had a great meal, I couldn't help think this would be a good site for sketching. Problem was though, I don't want them waiting on me.

So, while sitting in the backseat on the way back to the resort in Las Vegas, I sketched this out; then painted it just after we arrived.

ink, watercolor, 6x9 Super AquaBee Sketchbook

"Old Hotel Art Gallery" Othello, WA

2011-03-29T10:14:00.000-07:00

The "509 Urban Sketchers and Painters" drove to Othello on Saturday to: 1, visit The Old Hotel Art Gallery; and 2, since it was the weekend of Othello's "Sandhill Crane Festival," to find the cranes. Having been invited by the staff at the The Old Hotel Art Gallery, we stopped there first and were graciously received by Heidi who took us on a tour of old building and shared with us its somewhat tawdry and sordid past.

Originally constructed in 1912 as a hotel for the railroad workers, it later became a place where "single ladies," shall we say, "plied their trade," and even later owned by a man who raised pigs in the basement. Sordid? Rumors still abound in Othello regarding the number of people who went missing, never to return, during this man's tenure at the hotel. More sordid? Those rumors include where the dead people may have been hidden...are you thinking the basement? Yep.

Today the Old Hotel is a beautiful old gal who hosts a wonderful art gallery filled with paintings, sculptures, hangings, pottery and all things art! If you ever have the chance to drive near Othello, a stop here is an absolute MUST.

We plan to return as soon as possible, especially since one of our members received the devastating news that her father in Nebraska had passed away while we were there.

"Tagaris Winery"

2011-03-15T18:27:00.000-07:00

Anyone who has lived in this area for much time has probably heard the Taggares name. They were potatoe growers in years past, and most likely raise alot of wine grapes these days.

I don't know if it was the family, or one of the members of the family that decided to open a winery here in the Tri-Cites, but whoever it was also decided to change the spelling of the name from Taggares, to "Tagaris."

This is one of the more popular wineries in our area as it is one the more "upscale" places in town.

pigma micron, copic pen, watercolor, photoshop, sketchbook

"Book Shoppers in Costco"

2011-03-11T14:35:00.000-08:00

I went to the local Costco today with my wife and while she shopped, I found a lawn table and chair for sale near the book counter and sketched some of the folks checking out the books.

Such a fascinating lot!

The thing about this spot though, is you have to loosen your hand and fingers up because people don't linger too long at the book tables.

ink, watercolor, Super Aquabee Sketchbook

New Banner Up

2011-03-09T15:12:00.000-08:00

Something different, something new, something to think about.

"Let Your Light Shine Through"

2011-03-07T21:01:00.000-08:00

Summer's coming and with it the thought of things light and airy and sweet and good.

And that's gets me thinking about limes and that gets me thinking about modifying an earlier watercolor I did with orange slices, and that got me thinking about using acrylics to create a similar image, only this time, with lime.

Colored pencils probably weren't a good idea for finishing touches, but hey, what the heck, it's art so who cares.

This is actually a small 4x5 on some very cheap acrylic paper and is intended to be only a study for something larger and more grandiose. Maybe someday I'll be interested in finishing it.

acrylics, colored pencil

"A Late-Winter Day's Dream"

2011-03-01T15:03:00.000-08:00

The title doesn't necessarily say it all, especially if you don't live on one of the more northern latitudes in the USA like I do. Believe me, today is NOT a summer day. But it's nice to dream - isn't it?

I drove down along the Columbia River today and spotted this little sailboat moored next to the gas attendent and decided to let it be the first entry into my new 6 x 9 inch, Super Deluxe, Aquabee Sketchbook.

Looking across the water, in the background, I just couldn't bring myself to sketch those miserable, dead-looking, trees; so I pretended it was a nice sun-filled day in June, or July instead.

In reality, today is an overcast, dull, gray, kinda cold day; and being March 1st, there are no leaves on anything deciduous including all the trees back there on Bateman Island (background).

I may have discovered how to beat these winter doldrums...pretend it's summer...

ink, watercolor, sketchbook

"My Man, Aidan"

2011-02-24T14:56:00.000-08:00

I generally stay far, far, away from even attempting drawings, sketches, or especially, paintings, of family members, because everyone just says, "it doesn't look like him/her," and turns the conversation elsewhere; but I couldn't resist the temptation on this one.

The picture I took of Aidan, six, at McDonald's caught my eye with the way the shadows and the so-so-serious pose he struck for me, so I did a watercolor sketch of him earlier (I think it is probably posted on this blog back a few weeks), and it was clear that the family, including myself, didn't really think it looked a whole like him; but it might in another ten years, or more. And then, "what's for dinner tonight?"

So, anyway, I got to looking at it again and decided since I've been doing all these funky Modigliani Knock-Offs (my term), I ought to give him another try. Now, no one in the family, especially his mother, my daughter, has seen this yet, but I think it looks alot more like him than the watercolor sketch did. Not perfect, closer. "So what do you think of the unrest in the Middle East?"

I had a real problem with his left shoulder, the one on the right, as he is actually just slightly leaning forward and that shoulder is closer than the other. It just looks deformed here. Oh well.....onward and upward. "Do you watch American Idol?"

acrylic on 12x16 canvas panel

"March Art Walk" - Kennewick, Washington

2011-02-23T09:49:00.000-08:00

The "Art-A-Day" group, featured during the month of February, is also featured on the March edition of the "March Art Walk" flyer, published for the "First Thursday Art Walk" in downtown Kennewick, Washington.

I am posting this because one of my pieces was chosen for inclusion, "Blonde with Hot Lips." She is one of the acrylics I have been working on lately and though nothing in her image shows it, she was heavily influenced by the work I've been doing with Modigliani.

Thank you to the Kennewick Art Walk Association for their decision to include her, and especially to Laura Gable for her leadership and encouragement.

"Amedeus Modigliani"

2011-02-17T17:35:00.000-08:00

A couple of months ago I sketched out watercolor sketch of what I thought Modigliani might have looked like had he used his personal style to create a self-portrait.

Today I decided to go ahead with my plan to do the same again, only this time on canvas panel with acrylics. It's part of my ongoing learning curve with drawing, acrylic technique, and art in general.

"The Old Gas Pump Gang"

2011-02-14T12:16:00.000-08:00

I hope this is the last attempt on my part to capture this old gang of gas pumps. Two earlier posts were both watercolor sketches about 4 x 6 in my sketchbook.

This is acrylics on a 9x 12 piece of canvas panel. It was fun to do, and it took a long time; but I'm not real happy with it because, it, like so many of my other pieces, is overworked.

Someone recently told me a college professor told her that a painting is usually done about an hour before the artist think s/he has reached completion.

Such is the case with this one.

"My Wife ala Modigliani"

2011-02-07T20:21:00.000-08:00

Truth be known, this image took on the look of my wife almost accidentally.

But when I showed it to her, she said, "Is that me?" And that's exactly what I wanted to know when she saw it - if she saw herself in it like I did. Cool.

So, I have been thinking more and more about doing some contemporary images done in Modigliani's style, and if you read this blog, you know that.

I've actually done a few. This one is my favorite though because of how it turned out. Ok, accidental or not, I like it, alot!!

8x10 acrylic paper (terrible stuff, too), acrylics

"Sketchbook with Coffee on the Edge"

2011-02-07T20:12:00.000-08:00

A friend suggested coffee mugs, so I've been messin' about with them for a while.

Of the approximately 7 or 8 I've done, 2 or 3 sold back when I had an active eBay Store, and since maybe only one of them do I find interesting.

That one is this one. I like the "graphic" look, totally accidental as it is was/is.

The black area began as a wall with a window and from that window flowed the light that created the shadow this side of the mug. When I blackened it in, because I didn't like the "look" of it, I pulled the black paint right over the edge of the table as I focused in on the shadow line; so there's the "big oops" with this one.

But I still like it so off it goes to the blog.

5x7 canvas panel, acrylics

"Woman in Subway Shop"

2011-01-25T17:01:00.000-08:00

After completing a number of Modigliani reproductions, I've been wondering how I might interpret his work into my own.

This lady was with her mother and very young daughter in the Subway shop where I frequent. She had a difficult time with her lunch as her daughter wasn't satisfied with sitting still and having her lunch.

She was wearing a cool pair of beige boots that went just a few inches short of her knees. She wore them outside her trouser legs.

acrylics, and pigma micron inks, on 9x12 canvas board

"30th World Wide SketchCrawl"

2011-01-24T10:36:00.000-08:00

A group of local artists enjoyed a beautiful day on this last Saturday while going out on what is known globally as the "30th World Wide SketchCrawl."

Everyone had a great time sketching and drawing in three different locations around town, then we convened at a local coffee house to share our work.

The "SketchCrawl" phenomenon was begun about 5 or 6 years ago in San Francisco, when local artist, Enrico Casarosa, started thinking about rather than a pub crawl with pints and friends, why not a sketch crawl with sketchbooks and friends. He got a group together and they went on the first SketchCrawl with probably just a few people, and they probably had a great time.

So Enrico got a web page built and began inviting others to join in. In short order, the idea spread across the entire earth and now there have been exactly 30 SketchCrawls held.

This January 22nd, 2011, was the first official entry of the Tri-Cities, Wa, aritists to participate.

SketchCrawl Site

Forums: Note there are 30 SketchCrawl entries, click on one, then find all the cities, towns, and villages, that participated and find their work.

Tri -Cities, Forum

"Two After Modigliani"

2011-01-20T17:53:00.000-08:00

Two more Modiglianis were finished today. On the left is Maude Abrante, and on the right, Jeane Hebuterne.

acrylics

" Here She is Again only this Time in Acrylics"

2011-01-16T20:54:00.000-08:00

I have watercolored this image twice in watercolor - once on the terrible paper of a Sketchbook Project page, and once on a larger piece of Arches watercolor paper.

This one is all acrylics, a fairly new medium for me, and I think it turned out pretty good.

The original is by Amedeus Modigliani, and the model is simply a "Woman from Algiers." I am quite taken by Modigliani, as some of you may already know, and have decided to practice my acrylics skills by creating a series of Modig's pieces. They are fun to do and they come out looking presentable.

Maybe by the time I get tired of Modigs and his models I will have honed my acrylic skills enough to take on something else.

Meantime, stay tuned.

"The Columbia River Gorge at The Dalles"

2011-01-13T16:52:00.000-08:00

Actually, though I've been through the gorge many times, I'm not sure if this would be on the east or west of The Dalles, OR, but I know it is east of the Cascade mountain range the gorge cuts through east of Portland.

It is a most interesting place though, due to the extreme contrast between the Oregon side on the right in the painting, and the soft hills of southern central Washington state on the left.

I'm not sure if I am finished with this. The plant in the foreground seems to be begging for assistance.

The original sketch for this 14x18 painting is posted below at Sketchbook Project #11.

watercolor

Sketchbook Project #33: Too Many Choices

2011-01-09T14:54:00.000-08:00

Ok, so I'm getting a bit desperate to find something interesting to put into my Sketchbook Project before it has to be postmarked on Jan. 15th. This is a complete re-draw of an earlier sketch I did last summer when we went into a friend's backyard to sketch his old gas pumps.

The three closest to the viewer were based on actual gas pumps. At that point in the drawing I'm thinking, there needs to be something to tie these things together. That's when I realized that once you drawn three or four old gas pumps they get fairly easy to make-up. So all the others are figments of my imagination.

Even in this redraw there are pumps that do not exist in the original.

watercolor, pigma micron inks, cheap moleskine

"Sketchbook Project #32: Lunia Czechovska"

2011-01-08T19:32:00.000-08:00

Meet Lunia Czechovska, another Modigliani model for the "Sketchbook Project."

I'm pretty sick of the "Sketchbook Project," and am beginning to think I'm going to be just a few pages short of complete come the deadline, Jan 15th. The funny thing is the closer to the deadline I get, the less I seem to care whether the book is finished or not.

Will be so glad to get away from this paper. Elsewhere I commented the paper is only step away from the paper they use on the outer wrappers on a stick of Juicy Fruit.

Snark, snark, snark....stop it, Jim.

watercolor, ink, sketchboo project, cheap moleskine

Sketchbook Project #31: Annency, France

2011-01-02T23:29:00.000-08:00

Too many football games on today to find time to do any "art," so after they ended and Seattle made it into the play-offs as the first team in history who lost more games than they won. But, I digress.

After the games were over and we had a nice little dinner, I came upstairs and found a reference photo of Annency, France, taken last summer by a cousin, and decided to see what I could do with it.

Sorry to spoil anyone's expectations, but this is all I could come up with, in the time allotted.....lol.

Thanks for the ref photo, Linds!

watercolor, ink, moleskine

Sketchbook Project #30: Aidan

2011-01-01T12:51:00.000-08:00

Aidan is only six years old, so it's easy to see a too long nose and a too strong chin make him look considerably older, especially if you know him like I do.

He was sitting with his siblings at McD's the other day and that blue and white striped stocking cap and the way it was casting that shadow over his eyes caught my attention.

So, though once again, I have created an image that doesn't look exactly like it's insiration, I don't really care. I had a lot of fun on this one and that's why I'm posting it here on 1-1-11.

watercolor, ink, moleskine, 4x6

Sketchbook Project #27: Amadeus Modigliani

2010-12-31T16:47:00.000-08:00

So, I went to google and did a search for images of Modigliani himself because I thought it might be fun to try to do a sketch of him, as he might have approached a self-portrait.

Of course I need to be careful less anyone think I'm getting big headed about "doing" Modigliani. The last person I would want upset with me is, the man himself, Amadeus.

Still, I find his style really interesting and honestly, for me, it seems somehow to fit with what I like to do: quick sketches, long noses, and long necks.

moleskine, ink, watercolor

Sketchbook Project #26: Modigliani #3

2010-12-29T20:04:00.000-08:00

I am having too much fun doing these Modigliani's today. This is the third in the series, and I don't have much of an idea if there will be anymore, or how many more, I might do.

This "Sitting Algerian Almiisa," and she was painted by Modigliani in 1916.

A real beauty she. Wonder who she was?

This image also posted at the Art-A-Day blog.

watercolor, pigma micron pens, moleskine

Sketchbook Project #25: Modigliani #2

2010-12-29T18:17:00.000-08:00

"La Belle Romaine" sold at Sotheby's this last November, 2010, for $68,900,000: a record for Modigliani's work.

This is the second one I've done today and I must say I really quite enjoyed working on them. I may have even learned a valuable lesson for myself. I think it has something to do with being loose and allowing oneself to explore and have fun rather than get that nose practically touching the point of the pen, pencil, or brush; but I can't really be sure, yet.

watercolor, pigma micron pens, moleskine

Sketchbook Project #24: Modigliani

2010-12-29T16:03:00.000-08:00

So this is the 24th image I have drawn, painted, sketched since beginning this "Sketchbook Project," and finally I have one I like.

This is a Modigliani, entitled, "Woman from Algiers." I love the way he did noses and necks; but in his painting of this woman it almost lookslike he lost his concentration on that left eye, or the woman's right eye. In my copy, I tried to emulate rather than improve because that would represent the apex of any thoughts of grandeur on my part; and I'm sure it would totally piss Modigiliani off as well.

This was a fun sketch, and it was equally fun to put some color on the inked page.

pigma micron pens, watercolor, moleskine

New Model: Debra Lee

2010-12-16T16:35:00.000-08:00

Debra Lee is a new model for our group of figure drawers.

She's a little older and much more reliable and responsible than many of the younger ones we've tried out, not that all of the younger ones don't work out.

It's obvious how hard Debra Lee works at being a good model and we all really appreciate that in her.

ink, watercolor, some photoshopping

"R.I.P. John Lennon"

2010-12-08T20:47:00.000-08:00

This is the first repost of this drawing I did of Lennon about 6 or 7 years ago. I think today, on this 30th anniverary of his death, is a good day for a repost.

RIP John, we miss you.

Sketchbook Project #18: The End of Chardonnay

2010-12-07T12:16:00.000-08:00

During this most dreary month of the year with nothing but cold, gray, wet, freezing days, remembrances of cool chardonnay under sunny skies is a nice interlude.

Sketchbook Project #17: The Girl With Graphite Eyes

2010-12-01T09:20:00.000-08:00

When I saw her hair and the almost total lack of shadows on her face I had to get out my sketchbook and see if I could capture maybe just a fading glimpse of her essence. I like this one.

This is total graphite and a bit of a photoshop touch-up.

Sketchbook Project Portraits

2010-11-29T17:34:00.000-08:00

Sketchbook Project #12: Tuilerie Pond Sailing in Paris

2010-11-18T14:04:00.000-08:00

In the Jardin de Tuileries in Paris, youngsters, and I suppose, others too, can rent these sailboats and sail them about the pond. I've searched and searched online for set of plans so I could make one these beauties. What I am beginning to realize is that it wouldn't be as difficult as originally thought. Some wood, some dowels, some heavy twine, some heavy cloth -brightly colored, and there you go.

Shall we go sailing?

Sketchbook Project #11: The Columbia Gorge

2010-11-16T20:40:00.000-08:00

Last summer we drove through the gorge both on the way, and on the way home, to and from the Oregon Coast. If you've never driven through the gorge, you've missed one of Mother Nature's masterpieces; especially in that section a little further east where the trees have disappeared and what you get is the basalt cliffs on the Oregon side and those lovely, soft, and very sensual hills on the Washington side.

This sketch was a bit of a challenge because what I was really working on here was the perspective on the water. When your eye is on the horzon line with water, you can't really see it very well. Also I had a problem to solve with the foreground. I don't really like all those big rocks blocking the view, but without them the perspective seemed all out of whack.

Sketchbook Project #10: "Tough Guy"

2010-11-09T11:57:00.001-08:00

So, after completing the graphite sketch of the "Old Man" below, I decided to get out one of my charcoal pencils and give another headshot a try. I found this guy at http://www.mugshots.com/; he's a real bad guy.

I'm not interested in either his name, or his crime, only his face. I've looked at mugshot sites before and found some characters there have amazingly interesting facial features. This guy's isn't necessarily one of those, but I thought he was interesting enough to spend a few minutes with.

If you know him, tell him I said, "hey."

Sketchbook Project #9: "The Old Man"

2010-11-09T11:47:00.000-08:00

The sketch says, "The old man challenged me to sketch him in 5 mins. So I did." That's just for publication as my theme with the "Sketchbook Project," is "in 5 mins." I'm not sure exactly what that means and I think the orginators of the project intended it that way; so I was trying to be "cute" with some kind of comment with each sketch having a comment with that phrase, "in 5 mins" in it. After this sketch, I decided to quit doing that and just add sketches from where ever.

I found the reference photo for this image online. I probably should provide a link or something to it, but I didn't. It doesn't really matter though because an artist's rendition isn't subject to legal scrutiny. I don't think.

Anyway, for a year or so I have been trying to learn how to work ink pens. They are far more limiting than graphite and charcoal, so with this sketch I went back to graphite. It was much more enjoyable to work on this than almost all of those inked sketches I been posting for so long.

I think I'll do another one of these, and if I do, you can find it posted just above this one.

Sketchbook Project #6: "Red-Haired Girl"

2010-11-07T10:52:00.000-08:00

I am rather wishing I hadn't signed up for this Sketchbook Project project. I got in late, as the deadline to send the sketchbook is January 15, 2011, and I have about a gazillion pages left in this sketchbook they sent. I could rip out some pages, and some of the others say they have, so I think I will continue until I am either sick to death of the whole thing, or until I get to the end of the book.

Finding something to draw is a challenge. I went out into the community for the first few. I prefer sketching places and people in the tri-cities; but I prefer to do it on nice days. The past couple of days have been cold, gray, and rainy.

The next-best option to head into the internet to find images to draw. I belong to flickr.com where there are literally hundreds of thousands of images. This one came from a group in flickr known as "Julia Kay's Portrait Project," where people send in photos of their faces and then they all have this orgy of drawing each other's schnoz's. I belong, but I haven't sent in a pic of myself yet. Too vain, I guess.

Anyway, I found "Marga" and found her "wig" interesting. I'm afraid I've botched, rather badly, this pretty woman's face, but, as I've said before, "Hey, it's art and that's all you can do about it." Or something like that.

Actually, I was quite surprised to see a former student of mine emerge when sketching Marga. If you know, or knew, Miss Sharon Rupert, former student from Prosser High School, then you probably see her here too, sorta, kinda. well, maybe not. Sharon is much prettier than this sketch would lead anyone to believe.

Sharon?

Sketchbook Project #4: "Little League Park"

2010-11-05T15:05:00.000-07:00

I noticed in the news the other day that Pat Prudhomme passed away. I never met the woman, nor her husband, Chet, but they owned "Prudhomme Hardware" here in Kennewick for many years. When I was a Little Leaguer I played for "Prudhomme Hardware." They supplied us with uniforms, bats, and baseballs; and in those days the uniforms looked sharp. In this little park I remember hitting a couple, or more, homeruns by smacking the ball into those trees on the far side of the park. They were much smaller trees then as that was in the late '50's. Great memories.

"The Sketchbook Project #3: Library Man"

2010-10-28T12:01:00.000-07:00

Libraries provide perfect opportunities to draw people who aren't "on the move" like they are in food marts and other places where they are in a big hurry. Library patrons move very slowly, whether they are studying, writing, reading, computing, or some cases, knapping.

This gentlemen sat very quietly reading his magazine, and though I commented that "with-in 5 mins, he finished," he didn't really. The theme for my sketchbook is, "In 5 mins.....," so I have decided to pepper my comments with that short phrase, somewhere, in each sketch. It's the best I could come up with.

"Sketchbook Project #2: Brulant's

2010-10-28T11:54:00.000-07:00

This is the only place I know where instead of building a "quicky" mart, where one can purchase groceries with gasoline, they created a coffee-bagel-smoothie shop instead. I am on my second punch-card as I find their coffee and their service - top notch.

I had my first smoothie here last summer, a raspberry oral explosion that came close to addicting me. But I stood the test and only had one more after that one.

"The Sketchbook Project #1: Starbucks"

2010-10-25T20:07:00.000-07:00

I found "The Sketchbook Project" online and my vanity got the best of me. The project is one where participants enter their sketchbooks into the Brooklyn Library where they will be barcoded, scanned and entered into their permanent collection.

Each time anyone views a participant's sketchbook, it is logged as such and the participant receives an email notifying him/her that someone has viewed their book.

I thought it all sounded like fun, so I joined up. $25 USD gets you the book and all the benefits of having it housed, forever, in the Brooklyn Library.

The problem, for me, arose once I opened the envelop and inspected the sketchbook. It is filled with what makes me think, "cheap moleskine" paper. The pages are very thin and will show ink marks on through to the next page; and they are not friendly to watercolor, just like the regular non-watercolor moleskines.

The instructions do say that the paper can be replaced, but I don't want to bother with all that. I'm not sure I even know how to do that.

So, we'll do the best we can with what we have, while we have it. ok?

ink, watercolor, 5x8 sketchbook project sketchbook

"Groovin' at Fred Meyer's for a Sushi"

2010-10-24T23:22:00.000-07:00

So I drove down to Fred Meyer's the other day to get some sushi for lunch. I love sushi, but I'm the only one in my family, other than my son-in-law, and he is always working (poor guy), so I get it on my own, occasionally.

I like the sushi at Fred Meyer's. The lady who makes it always uses fresh products, is very helpful, and since she speaks with a thick oriental (Japanese?) accent I figure she knows what she is doing, so the sushi has to be authentic. When I approached the sushi bar I noticed she wasn't there, and no one seemed interested in stepping up to help me, so I picked up a box with 12 pieces of eel (my fav), purchased it, along with a medium diet cola, and had a great lunch.

Afterwards I found a tall table in the coffe lounge and sketched the view in front of me. It's the one up above.

ink and watercolor

"Published in 'Costco Today' Magazine"

2010-10-18T15:33:00.000-07:00

Costco contacted me a few months ago requesting permission for them to use this photo in their employee magazine, "Costco Today". I received three copies of the magazine today and found the image under the "humor" column toward the back of the October issue.

Original title and caption:

"Groovin' at Costco for a Polish."

"Dropped into Costco today for lunch: Polish and Coke - $1.50 + tax. One of the best hot dogs in town and the price is perfecto. The gal in the middle ate two large pieces of pizza and finished off her lunch with a hot dog the size of the one I ate.

Tri-Cities, WA."

exciting

"29th World-Wide SketchCrawl"

2010-10-17T11:11:00.000-07:00

A few years ago, Enrico Casarosa, down in San Francisco, got to thinking about how he and his frends enjoyed an ocassional pub-crawl. Being an artist, this got Enrico to thinking about how this activity might be applied to his artistic interests.

From that "brain-storm," and the first few sessions he held with his friends, a web-site was created and now there are about four or five regularly scheduled events per year, that span the globe: the "World-Wide SketchCrawl." And at this site you can find the reports from all over the world on the day's activities.

Yesterday, two art-buddies of mine, Dave and Mike, and I went out "sketchcrawling." It was more fun than we expected and I think we plan to continue the activity as the "World-Wide SketchCrawls" are planned and scheduled. Our point of interest was the "Blue-Bridge" which spans the Columbia river here in eastern Washington connecting two of the Tri-Cites, Kennewick and Pasco.

You can find our work at the "SketchCrawl" site at this location.

And if you can, please join us next time....

"The Beach at Lincoln City, Oregon, USA"

2010-10-10T20:18:00.000-07:00

Walking early in the morning along the ocean's edge, and intoxicated with the crisp, cool air lying as still as a warm blanket across the beach, I happened upon this scene just north of where we were staying in Lincoln City with our good friends, Mary Jane and Don.

Later in the day, I grabbed my art supplies and headed down to the beach to see if I could capture it; and this is the end product of those labors.

This day was glorious with full sunlight (the clouds in the painting are nothing more than filler in an otherwise blue sky), no wind, no rain, and the temperature was in the mid-70's. It just doesn't get any better on the beach.

watecolor in moleskine sketch book

"Sunset Over the Horse Heaven Hills"

2010-10-04T20:05:00.000-07:00

We are often blessed here in eastern Washington with spectacular sunsets which always outline the beautiful Horse Heaven Hills that lie south and west of the area where we live.

acrylic on 4x5 gatorboard

"Grid Kids"

2010-10-02T21:28:00.000-07:00

It never occured to me, even in the remotest possibility, that a more entertaining form of football than either college football, or the NFL, existed until my grandsons, Izaiah and Aiden, began suiting up and playing "grid-kid football."

There are no television cameras, no blisteringly beautiful cheerleaders, no cold and frothy beers, no charcoal embers or the smell of grilled hamburgers wafting over the field from the tail-gates parallel parked along the busy street, no concern regarding scouts hiding in lawn chairs along side the field: just pure go get'em, crackmouth, football.

Occasionally there is the missed tackle, the dropped pass, and someone jumps "off-sides" on almost every play, and the holding - oh my gosh, the holding - but these minor distractions fall by the wayside when football purity such as this is on display.

Today we lost our game; but just wait until next Saturday when the mighty Eagles take the field again. Mayhem, total mayhem, like that the befalls the enemies of mighty warriors on bloodied fields of battle will prevail.

Really.

"Charleston Street Scene"

2010-09-30T19:31:00.000-07:00

When we were in Charleston last April, I knew I wouldn't be able to comfortably whip out a sketch book, sit down on the curb, and begin sketching because we were traveling with dear friends and I am the only sketcher in the group; so I took lots of reference photos, and of course planned to create all kinds of sketches in my sketchbook when I got home; but, I have been procrastinating.

Lately I have been inspired by Rob Carey's work. Rob is an American teacher living somewhere in Europe. Lucky him, he has all kinds of beautiful architectural scenes to sketch and toss online; and he does much more than 'just' architectural scenes. I love the loose, high energy of his sketches and hope to learn something from them.

Here's his flickr site: go check it out for yourself. You'll see what I see. Just don't compare my work to his! He's one of sooo many people whose work I really admire.

watercolor, ink, some photoshopping for enhancements.

"Starbucks at the Mall and the Queen of Nairobi"

2010-09-28T20:17:00.001-07:00

I've been wanting to sketch this for a long time, but you have to have the primo parking stall to be in the right positon; and until today, it's always been filled.

I did have to wait for a guy driving an old Ford pick-up to pull out of the stall. I waited patiently in the adjacent row, only having to pull out twice because someone drove up behind me, and drive the 'ciruit' to get back into position: that's right, I was Patient. He had his foot on the brake the whole time, but was on his cell phone.

When it was time for me to leave, without thinking about it, I gathered up my pencils, pens, watercolor kit, etc., to put back into my satchel. The car was running, my foot was on the brake. All of sudden I hear a car-horn go off. I check my rearview and see the Queen of Nairobi sitting behind the wheel of her black 'beemer,' all pissed that I was taking my time. Sheeeesh. Where's the respect? lol

watercolor and ink

"Grandad Joe and His Barn"

2010-09-27T09:22:00.001-07:00

A different treatment of my grandfather's barn that was posted earlier:

"On a recent trip to visit relatives in Oklahoma, we drove out to the old Brown estate where my mother and her ten siblings were raised. This barn was built in about 1931, when the family moved from the other side of Massey Creek, to this location.

The old house was situated to the right of this image and a path/road led between the two down to the shops behind and below.

The barn was built out of the oak triees that grew here. My grandfather and uncles Boots, Bert, Cliff, and Washie cut those trees then had them cut into planks by a nearby relative who owned a sawmill. My uncle Bert told me there "was many a bent nail that fell to the ground during construction," because the longer the milled oak sat, the more difficult it was to get a nail into it.

The barn is typical of old barns and will soon be gone."

Walla Walla - "Kirkman House Museum"

2010-09-23T09:59:00.000-07:00

William Kirkman came to Boston from England, then after gold was found in California he moved west and began mining.

In time he began distributing mining supplies by running muletrains from San Francisco to Alaska.

Eventually he settled in Walla Walla were he made another fortune in cattle and sheep.

His mansion was constructed and completed in 1880-81. Kirkman died in 1893, but his wife, Isabella, kept the home in the family until 1919 when it was transerred to Whitman College and used for approximately the next ten years as dormitory for freshmen men. In 1929, it was sold to a private party who turned it into a apartment building.

In the mid-70's the Historical Architecture Development group took over and began renovating it as a project to stimulate other building owners to begin restoring, renovating, and otherwise preserving their buildings.

It worked.

To see for yourself, visit the lovely and well-preserved city of Walla Walla, Washington.

"Starbucks in Walla Walla"

2010-09-10T22:56:00.000-07:00

My drawing buddy, lapoynte, and I, drove to Walla Walla today to capture more of the architectural splendor there.

This is the busiest corner in town where it seemed while I sat and sketched most everyone driving through yelled something to someone they apparently knew who was in the crosswalk, or standing on the corner.

Starbucks seems to own the corner, and across the street to the left is the "die Brucke" building which can be viewed in the posting just below this one.

watercolor, ink

"Walla Walla - 'die Brucke' Building"

2010-09-03T02:04:00.000-07:00

My friend, Dave, and I drove down to Walla Walla today to try to capture some of their old, and quite architecturally pleasing buildings in our sketch books.

This is the "Die Brucke" building that sits on a very busy corner just across the street from Starbucks. I am not sure what "Die Brucke" means, but I surmise it is German. (From E*phi and Peggy, commenters below, we learn that "die Brucke" means, "the bridge." Now that has me wondering if this was the name of the builder, owner, of the building, or as Peggy said, maybe the building itself was styled after a bridge...hmmmm)

Perhaps a bit overworked and wonky, the sketch was a fun one to do.

watercolor and ink

"Lonely Clown"

2010-09-01T13:00:00.000-07:00

I found this clown lurking around online, so I captured him and his image with some graphite, ink, and watercolor.

I think he looks lonely. How about you?

"Col Solare Winery"

2010-08-29T01:04:00.000-07:00

Col Solare winery sits in the Red Mountain appelation, east of Benton City, WA. This particular appelation has been reported to be one the most optimal areas for growing wine grapes outside of France. Whether or not it is actually, "that good," I think remains to be seen. .

Red Mountain's hillside is covered with vineyards and wineries. The most prominent winery, from far and wide, is the Col Solare. Stationed near the top of the hill, it looks out across the valley to the Horse Heaven Hills on the southern side and on westward toward Mt. Adams and Mt. Rainier.

Architecturally, Col Solare is like no other building I am familiar with. In this sketch, the bell tower is just out of the image to the right, and the roof, which really can't be seen here, is semi-circular in structure.

I think the most interesting characteristic of the building is the front entrance; which really isn't an entrance at all. The main entry is actually up on the portico behind the far wall behind the stairs. It is accessed from the parking area to the right of the building. These stairs lead one down into the vineyards. Still, they are striking in appearance; so that's where I spent my energies earlier today when the small group of artists I hang out with caravaned here.

watercolor, ink

"Between the Buns" - Street Vendor

2010-08-19T14:31:00.000-07:00

My favorite cache for my photos and art is at flickr.com. This week, at the "urban sketchers" group, the theme is "street vendors." So I drove downtown yesterday to this hot dog stand, "Between the Buns," and did a very rough, and hopefully appropriately 'loose' sketch of the place.

She is running a "land office" business as there was a steady stream of customers: even in 100 degree temperatures. I bought a polish from her and it was pretty good. Maybe not as good as those at Costco, and certainly priced just a touch higher; but good anyway. You can find the sketch at the "urban sketchers" theme site here.

"Downtown Kennewick"

2010-08-19T12:04:00.000-07:00

I drove downtown yesterday to sketch a street vendor, but when I discovered I was an hour early, I found a bench and started sketching the far side of the street.

Since I have lived here, off and on, since 1957, I can tell you these buildings are all basically the way they were then; but, what's in them, except for the one on the far end of the line-up, is not the same. Not even close.

I have lots of memories on this street, but perhaps one of the most interesting was a summer rain. I think it was in 1966. Home from college and out foolin' aroun' on a hot July day and down comes the rain. We never have Warm rain here in the high desert of eastern Washington - only cold. But on that day it was so warm I remember taking off my shirt, on that far sidewalk there that you see and simply Enjoying the downfall.

The building at the end of the sketch is across a street that runs at 90 degrees to the one you can see. That building used house a place simply called, "Leon's." It was there on New Years Eve, 1968, that, indirectly, I met up with the lady I have been married to for almost 40 years.

sketch, watercolor, ink.

"Nancy's Place"

2010-08-14T17:37:00.000-07:00

We went out to Nancy's today to do some drawing, sketching, and painting. Her home overlooks the Columbia river, to the left of this sketch, from a high hill.

The view is Spectacular and includes many of the atomic reactor sites west, across the river, on the Hanford site.

The large "do-nut" object is a piece of art she had done just for this particular spot. It is about six feet tall and rotates. Cool, huh?

"Down on 3rd and Auburn"

2010-08-13T23:36:00.000-07:00

Down in the older part of town there are a number of houses that are still standing that were built mostly during the first half of the last century.

Most of them are fairly run-down as the old part of town hasn't experienced much economic stimulus in more recent years.

Some of them are loaded with potential for modernization and this is one of them.

"Gas Pump Forest"

2010-08-05T16:39:00.000-07:00

Our little drawing group; aka., "The Garage Band Artists," or, "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Art Club," found itself in the back yard of a friend of a friends' home this morning looking at his collection of old oil and gas pumps. Quite an impressive collection at that.

Some artistic license had to be applied to create what appears to be a "Gas Pump Forest."

"Underground Sprinkler Head"

2010-07-28T11:22:00.000-07:00

I have loved the sound of this style of sprinkler ever since my plumber, welder, pipefitter, father connected a bunch of them via metal pipes to the pump which drew irrigation water from a small ditch that ran along the backside of the property.

In those days, 1957, the pipes and the sprinklers were made of metal. Today they are all plastic and PVC - much lighter in weight and, I guess, just as hardy.

This is a plastic one I just purchased to replace one that has gone bad.

"Summer Fun - The Watermelon"

2010-07-27T19:27:00.000-07:00

I spotted this watermelon disply in a local grocer's while mailing a package in their postal office. Being that I absolutely love watermelon, especially when flavored with a liberal sprinkling of salt, I had to get out the sketchbook and record it.

"A Sort of Sketchcrawl Day"

2010-07-24T18:11:00.000-07:00

My drawing/sketching friends, Marsha and Dave, and I went down into the belly of Kennewick, WA., to draw the new lighthouse on Clover Island. The lighthouse is essentially functionless in that watercraft no longer need lighthouses, especially on inland waterways such as the Columbia river; but it is a nice addition to an otherwise rather glum piece of man-made island they are trying to beautify. One thing about this sketch is that it is a fairly good demonstration of how to "fix" problems, such as perspective on circles, with dark brown ink. The Blue Bridge in the background connects Pasco to Kennewick (and vice versa). It was built in the early 50's - and when you walk across it, you can feel it move with the traffic. Cool, huh?

After sweltering in sun and heat at the lighthouse, we drove over to the Ice Harbor Brewery, a popular local watering hole and eatery for something cold to drink. Each of the three of us had iced tea (I think it's an age thing); and I sketched the people at the bar. Anyway, after much discussion about art, and our part in it, here in the tri-cities, we left and went elsewhere.

"Sacagawea Museum"

2010-07-15T17:10:00.000-07:00

This interpretive center sits in Sacagawea State Park, just outside Pasco, WA., where the Snake and Columbia rivers converge. Lewis and Clark's "Corps of Discovery" camped on this site in the early 1800's when they came through this area.

The park has been here for many years. I remember visiting it as early as 1957 in my youth, and after our junior year in high school, our class had a big party in the park. The party was wild and wooly as the park wasn't supervised back in those days like it is now, and was such a hit with our class that one of our reunions was held there back in the '70's. That too, is getting to be many years ago...but I digress.

The group I hang out with went out here today and sketched and painted the museum. If you ever have the chance to visit this park/museum, definitely visit the museum. It is a good one.

"Little Bitty Pretty One"

2010-07-12T11:35:00.000-07:00

This small and seemingly insignificant flower was inspired by the one that grew, against all odds, from a pot that was discarded out by the back fence. What was tiny and so very fragile, has grown into a huge bush that desperately needs some trimming!

It reminds me of a tiny fragile woman who once lived in south central Oklahoma who gave birth to 12 children and had the strength to get them all pointed in the right direction: my Granny Brown.

9x12

And for those so interested, available for sale here.

"Up All Night"

2010-07-12T11:10:00.000-07:00

"Up All Night" is another in the fairly long series of acrylic flowers and pots of what I refer to as my "Fifth Grade Art" series.

"Up All Night" was inspired by a cluster of dandelions I spotted in a nearby field. They don't look at all like dandelions, but that's what happens with 'inspirations.' Isn't it?

9x12

This painting has been donated to a silent auction in Lacey, WA.

"My Grandfather's Barn in Hennepin, OK."

2010-07-02T21:07:00.000-07:00

On a recent trip to visit relatives in Oklahoma, we drove out to the old Brown estate where my mother and her ten siblings were raised.

This barn was built in about 1931, when the family moved from the other side of Massey Creek to this location. The old house was situated to the right of this image and a path/road led between the two down to the shops behind and below.

The barn was built out of the oak triees that grew here. My grandfather and uncles Boots, Bert, Cliff, and Washie cut those trees then had them cut into planks by a nearby relative who owned a sawmill. My uncle Bert told me there "was many a bent nail that fell to the ground during construction." The barn is typical of old barns and will soon be gone.

Charleston, SC - Rooflines and Cupola

2010-06-07T16:35:00.000-07:00

On the last day of our visit to Charleston, we took a walk through the neighrboods mostly south of Broad (known as SOB in Charleston). We found many mansions and churches, and cemeteries where we stopped and pondered. Along the way this interesting view of rooflines and a church cupola caught my attention. There's just a touch of photoshop with this sketch - made a great sky didn't it?

"USS Yorktown"

2010-06-02T09:42:00.001-07:00

While in Charleston, SC, in April, we visited the USS Yorktown which is berthed in Charleston Harbor at Patriot's Point in Mt. Pleasant.

The ship, with its long and illustrious history, has been declared a National Historical Monument; and, in my humble opinion, is a marvel of engineering, especially when one considers it was constructed in 1943!

"Uptown Bar & Grill"

2010-05-18T21:44:00.001-07:00

Went into this bar this morning, just after 8am to do some drawing, and was surprised to find no coffee drinkers; just a guy sitting at the bar getting an early start on the day.

"THREE TULIPS"

2010-04-11T14:21:00.000-07:00

I spotted this little clump of spring-time tulips just down the street from our home the other day when driving home. Hopefully me neighbors didn't wonder what I was up to when I pulled over to the curb, pulled my sketchbook from my bag and started sketching them.

They make a nice entry into my "Fifth Grade Art" series on Flickr.

SOLD
acrylic on 8x10 illustration board

"Coffee in Funky Coffee Cup"

2010-04-08T11:31:00.000-07:00

A nice hot cup of coffee, in the morning, after lunch, mid-afternoon, after dinner, or even while watching late night television is thing to hold close, to cherish.

SOLD

8x10 acrylic on gatorboard

"Red Flowers in Round-bottomed Vase"

2010-04-07T16:16:00.000-07:00

A bouquet of red flowers, and one of my favorite paintings, popped off my brush earlier today and into this vase that seems to have been fired and glazed in a potter's kiln.

I'm thinking these flowers love the sun and will stretch toward any close window to capture as much of it as possible.

The are bright, cheerful and happy to be here!

SOLD

8x10 acrylic on gatorboard

"Sunflower on Black"

2010-04-04T11:51:00.000-07:00

Today is Easter Sunday, so to relieve some of the guilt I had for not going to church, I painted one of many of God's beautiful creations here on earth, a sunflower.

Many requests for similar paintings have been honored.

SOLD

8x10 acrylic on gatorboard

"Bouquet on Table"

2010-03-30T18:42:00.000-07:00

Sometimes ones has to step beyond the boundaries of mind and imagination. The idea for this one came out of a magazine. Yep, a magazine; so there I was, stretching my imagination completely out-of-the-box, and during a break thumbed through a magazine and spotted a very similar bouquet of flowers in an ad for something totally unrelated - I don't know what it was since I was completely focused on the flowers.

SOLD

acrylic on 11x14 canvas panel