December 12 - 17, 2019

It's a bit crazy to head off on an artist retreat in Spain right before the holidays.  And ... it might be just the adventure you need to help you survive the joy and chaos of that special time of year with family and loved ones.

This is an opportunity to experience a...

The short video shows many of my sketches from the Wales/England trip I recently enjoyed.  As I photographed my sketchbooks I noticed that the collection of sketches is different form those I've done on previous trips.  I can see in these sketches that I was less focused.

Usually when...

I'm addicted to making my own sketchbooks.  I can make them any size, use any combination of paper, recycle my favorite shopping bags and boxes, make them thick for home and thin for travel!

 I used old watercolor paintings for the covers of the sketchbooks pictured above. 

You...

Sketchbook Story Time No. 9

Sketches from the 1970's

A few more glimpses into my heart and mind ...

The stories behind the drawings and paintings in my sketchbooks

a few pages at a time.

Sketchbook Story Time No. 10

February 2, 2012 to June 6, 2012

Trumpet Parts, Squiggle Drawings and Bathroom Inspiration

A few more glimpses into my heart and mind ...

The stories behind the drawings and paintings in my sketchbooks

a few pages at a time.

Capturing Moments of Discovery in an accordion journey journal

It's about an hour an a half hike up and over the'Little Skirrid',the smaller hill of Ysgyryd Fach from the shepherd hut at Chapel Cottage Studio in Llanddewi Rhydderch. Rain was predicted for the evening.  I had been...

Sketchbook Story Time No. 12

Sketching in Provence - 2014

A few more glimpses into my heart and mind ...

The stories behind the drawings and paintings in my sketchbooks

a few pages at a time.

Sketchbook Story Time No. 11

Sketching in Great Britain with black and sepia inks

A few more glimpses into my heart and mind ...

The stories behind the drawings and paintings in my sketchbooks

a few pages at a time.

March 15, 2019

A week from tomorrow I will board a plane and begin my eight week adventure in Wales and England! This will be the first spring in the UK.  I've only explored there in the autumn and I'm looking forward to experiencing the blankets of bluebells that cover the rolling hills and...

Sketching in St. Ives, UK - Part Four

Values - Shapes - Dominance

What do I look for when I'm out in the world sketching? What are the questions I ask myself before I touch my pen or brush to the paper?

Question 1: What grabs my attention?

Question 2: Why does (blank) grab my attention: shape;...