"Trees on Cokesbury"

Continuing with my recent enthusiasm with graphite and working from reference photos.

                                                   5 1/2" x 8"
                                                   graphite on acid free paper
                                                   SOLD

"Price Lake on the Blue Ridge Parkway"

Another beautiful spot along the Blue Ridge Parkway is Price Lake.  The smooth rocks are a nice contrast to all the textures of the foliage.

                                            8"x5 1/2"
                                            graphite on acid free paper
                                            SOLD

"Blue Ridge Parkway" (near Wilson Creek overlook)

Recently I posted in my sketching blog portraits that I had drawn of my two grandsons.  Enjoying creating with graphite, which I hadn't done in a very long time,  I'm continuing with some drawings using reference photographs that I have made in the past.  Here's my first one:

                                                  5 1/2" x 8"
                                                  graphite on acid free paper
                                     

Two More Drawings in Mandala "Evolution"

Both of these were drawn in my sketch book with "Precise" pen.

"Evolution"

In my life there are many passages going on at the same time.  (Probably that's the same for all of us.)  I may be rendering a site specific commissioned abstract painting, a house portrait, or a landscape/garden painting for clients,  while in other blocks of time I'll sketch what is in front of me at the moment or care for a loved one or play with grandchildren or friends.  There is also the inner artist (I take great liberties using "artist") striving to make unique statements, testaments, profound illustrations conveying enlightenment, history, beauty, injustices, and/or every other idea know to humankind.

Here's what I have been doing the past few months as my musings have lead me into new areas of exploring line, form, color and contemplative spiritual content.  I am happily enjoying this new phase.

The drawings in sequence:

                                            "Beginning Trees"

                                                     "High Noon"


   

                                                          "Queenly"

                                                     "Hybrid"



                                                 
                                                      "First Mandalas"

                                          "Crown Mandala"

                                                   "Mandala on Coffee Filter"

"Night Crane"

Here's something a little different from my usual.

compositional quick sketch
graphite and "Precision" pen on sketchbook page
4" X 6"


Completed painting:

acrylic on gessoed masonite
4" X 6"

SOLD

"Quick Sketch"

Here are two "quick sketch" drawings that I did in my studio:

Both are:
graphite, pen and ink on sketchbook page
8 1/2" X 11"

"For Sarah"

I have a wonderful coworker and friend, Sarah, who is retiring this month.  Her favorite flower is hydrangea. Wanting to give her something that she might find "special", I decided to create a garden scene featuring hydrangeas.  

My study of an hydrangea blossom:

  graphite, pen and ink on sketchbook page

Then I did a value and composition study  for the painting:

Now, my painting and haiku:

down a garden path
remembering my dear friend
her favored flower



acrylic on composite panel
 7" X 5" 
GIFTED
 

"View from the Instituto (San Miguel de Allende)"

This photo is San Miquel as seen from the patio at the Instituto. The beautiful cathedral on the left is the "Parroquia San Miguel Arcangel"-a structure of interesting varieties of architecture.

Pictured also is my drawing that I have done on a gessoed cradled wood panel . This is a work in progress, so there will be other posts as the painting process unfolds.

Charcoal on Cradled Wood Panel

36" X 12"