Tiffany and Chris

Ashland Church

Hmmm...I don't know why I am so fascinated with old churches. This was a darling little church in Ashland, Oregon. I have little control over the wash on this sketchbook paper. Once you touch it, it's there. Can't wait to try some real watercolor paper

St Michael's

My niece had a wonderful pre-wedding girls weekend in St. Michael's, Md. I had just discovered the sketching- journaling concept. I did this quickly and had no idea what I was doing. So, much of this picture is pretty pitiful, but I learned from it (mostly that I needed to learn how to paint trees!)

Horse outside my window

Some of my favorite things :-)

Autumn Road

Another little exercise out of an instructional book. I did this on an airplane flying home from Michigan. Breaking out my little sketchbook on airplanes is really helping me survive the constant business travel!

St. Joseph's Church

This is one of those years when I can't think of any really "wanted" gifts for my grown kids. So, they are getting some gifts cards and I hate the whole thought of that. The only thing I have done, so far, that brought me that pleasure you get when you give from the heart, is to paint this little picture for Brandon and Jessica. My son and daughter-in law got married two years ago in this precious little church in Galveston, Texas. I hope they like the picture! I changed a few things after I scanned it, added some shrubs below the right palm tree and some more foliage to the palm. Looks a tad more balanced now in the picture I framed. Not great, but from my heart.This was also my first painting on "real paper"--which was pretty eye opening! So far, I have been using a little spiral sketchbook. Now, I can't wait to see what can happen with this nice watercolor paper! I also pencilled some of this first. Makes it a little more formal rather than the quick and dirty ink sketches--where you take what you get the first time! I enjoy doing both! Happy Holidays!

Lil Girl

I was sure I couldn't draw our cat, much less make it actually look like HER. But, it does!

Our House

It was a beautiful fall day in Nor Cal and I couldn't resist sitting on the lawn to sketch our humble abode.

I am adding this link to our home listing. I love this place so much, but, the time has come to head back to Texas. Be sure to scroll all the way through the photos to see our glorious sunrises over Mt. Diablo.

http://www.realtor.com/search/listingdetail.aspx?ctid=86571&mnp=34&mxp=33&typ=1&sid=38b8a56b22f242d5a3a14843055279ed&lid=1095894795&lsn=10&srcnt=11#Detail

I addded the above mls link when we listed the house in February 08. It didn't change the date of the original post--the sketch of our house. This entry won't change the date either. I am writing this on 4/23/09. That's the way blogger works.
The posting date doesn't reflect the date the blog was modified.

Art Lesson

This little exercise came out of some art book. I am trying to learn to sketch quickly and enjoy the process as much as the outcome. Trying to enjoy the imperfections, rather than driving myself crazy making things every so perfect!

Ashland Restaurant

I need to figure out how to darken these things before posting. This is my favorite little sketch so far. Click on it, so you can see it better! What a charming little restaurant I saw on a girl's trip to Ashland Oregon with my Berkeley Bad Girls book Club!

Water Tower

This is where it all started when we took the short course and painted this cute water tower. Susie Long http://www.suzilong.com/classes.html is the delightful artist that lives and works in this Mendocino water tower. That little hour class is what got me crazy over sketching/watercoloring! Thanks, Susie!