Airport sketching

I truly love to pass the time in airports and on planes sketching my heart out. This was from DFW to Colorado Springs with a quick stop in Denver. The black and white is from some magazine, while the others are people and things around me.

Donkeys need recognition, too!

So, I spent an entire, wonderful, morning with the miniature animals that call Crystal Mesa Farm, HOME. I wasn't entirely thrilled with the mulitude of sketches I did of them--after all, their porportians are a little "different".

But, I loved them so much, I felt I should at least share them. Most of them moved so much, I just couldn't get them to strike a pose!

Here they are and I just love them!

More from Ghost Ranch

I decided to honor this beautiful place again http://www.ghostranch.org/ , by painting from a photo I took there. Georgia O'Keefe spent many years painting there, being inspired by it's beauty. Who wouldn't be?! I have a goal to attend one of the many workshops offered at this awesome place.

The colors and light in New Mexico are so often indescribable. Capturing it can make a painting look almost fake. Nothing could be that filled with ethereal color! The color of the landscape when I took this was cast with purples of all kinds. The sky, the tree, the mountain--all had a fog of lavenders and plums cast upon them. Still takes my breath away to think of it.

100th Post and Photo Nomination

Today I got a note from the Schmap Napa Valley Guide http://www.schmap.com/ saying I had a photo on the shortlist to appear in their November guide. That's kinda cool, isn't it?! The photo they selected was one taken at the Mumm Sparkling Vineyard. You may recall the previous posts where Martha http://www.trumpetvine.com/sketchblog/2008/04/13/napa_sketchbook/ and I sketched at the Sparkling Vineyards in Napa Valley before I moved back to Texas. In fact...the banner at the top of my blog is a sketch I did of the tulips we saw that day! What a great memory!

So, here is the photo that made the shortlist. I'd rather have a sketch nominated, but I still celebrate my 100th post with this nice little bit of recognition!

Living Room

I did this very quick ink sketch in the Living Room of my employer. I just love to move as fast as I can with pen in hand. I usually like the outcome far more than things I deliberate over. Hmmmmm....yet...I will always do both! Can't give up that paint!

World Wide Sketchcrawl in Austin Texas

We are getting geared up for a fun day of sketching in the 24th Worldwide Sketchcrawl! Please join us!

**** Saturday, October 25th, 2008****

10:00 a.m.

Austin Texas--State Capital steps

How will we find each other?
Martha will wear her signtaure blue sketch hat and we will have sketch books in hand.

To learn more about the world wide crawls, check out the below sites and join the forum>

http://www.sketchcrawl.com/blog/

http://www.sketchcrawl.com/forum/

Ghost Ranch, New Mexico

I got to spend one night at Ghost Ranch on my recent vacation. I expected to sketch non-stop since I was alone and staying in a stripped down dorm room with no laptop, tv or radio. But, it was the night IKE came through the Houston area and I kept going back and forth to my car to listen to the radio and driving up the road to get cell coverage. I was a little distracted by checking on my kids and other loved ones there, so my creative juices took a back seat.

I usually stick to my little sketch books doing quick ink and washes. But, I did give a full size watercolor a shot that one afternoon. This is the one of the views I saw at Ghost Ranch. Next time, I will be there taking a week long watercolor class. At least, that's the way I see it!

My neighbor's sweet home

This should have been included in my Aubrey, Texas posts--maybe.

But, I really painted this for different reasons. We are new to the area and new dog owners. My neighbors bailed me out by looking after our puppy, Yao (more to come!)

I sketched this and gave it to them when I saw them at the Peanut Festival yesterday--as a thank you for making sure our puppy was okay. They really seemed to like it! And, I really like looking at their place!

What happens in Santa Fe stays...:-)

So, a few of us members of the Berkeley Bad Girls Book Club took a trip to Santa Fe. If you haven't followed along--the Bad Girls Book Club is bad only because we either haven't read the book or we don't show up! I don't even live in the same state with them anymore so my excuses are always valid (now!)

We had a night on the town in New Mexico and after a margarita or three, I did some real fast sketches of the band---yeah...that's right-- on cocktail napkins. The last one, of the Sax player on his break, is clearly at the end of the evening when I sketched his demeaner more rock starish than the more-than-middle-aged dude he was. And, I mean nothing by that---I even have some best friends his age (!)

You will have to wait for Martha's real deal sketches of that night. Guaranteed- hers are far more art worthy than mine! Yet, I wiped up on Scrabble later that night. See what I mean about us not being all that BAD??

Here's to the BADS that were there and those who had FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) YOU DID and we talked about you, too! See you next time??

That's the way I see it!


Lisa

Aubrey, Texas

This weekend is Aubrey's famous Peanut Festival. I thought it was time for me to sketch a few things in my own back yard. We live a block away from these sites on Aubrey's sleepy Main Street. Included is a mostly abandoned strip of stores, the little old church on the corner that is now an event place, the closed down Peanut Factory and how about that quaint Police Station!

An "artist" painting an artist painting an artist

Sitting on a bench in the Santa Fe Plaza provided all the subjects I needed. There was a colorful character posing for a REAL artist. I did a quick sketch of the guy. When I returned to the house we were renting, the owner stopped by and saw what I was painting. He saw this sketch and said, " Oh, that's Don!" He told me that Don is an old prospector from Idaho, who has been in the area for years. Well, Don lit up the Plaza that day and I just had to record the moment.

I also wanted to give a shout out to the very talented Mike Mahon www.mmahon.com . It was pure joy spending some time watching you and your delightful model.

Some love from Waterblossoms!

After neglecting my blog for too long, I finally posted some things yesterday. What a boost, to wake up to this recognition from my very favorite http://waterblossoms.blogspot.com/

Thank you, Peg, for the inspiration and joy you bring to me (and so many) every day.

A bonus comes with these awards. I am always introduced to new and very talented bloggers. I am honored to be in their company.

Good thoughts,

Lisa

La Fonda Santa Fe

Then, I went crazy and juicy on this familiar place!

St Francis Santa Fe

I sat on a bench and sketched a morsel of this wonderful building....

Sante Fe--vacation

The last phase of my vacation was meeting my Berkeley Bad Girls in Santa Fe for more fun and games! Here is where we stayed or How I see See It! http://www.colorfulsantafe.com/

Stairway to Heaven

Simply a stairway to the meditation loft in the Sunset Room at Crystal Mesa Farm. Try it, you will like it!

Crystal Mesa Farm Vacation

I cannot stop thinking about the wonders of Crystal Mesa Farm. It is magical and spiritual and if you open your hearts to all that it is, you will be transformed. Truly, the vacation of vacations.

My husband told the owner, Marie, that she should be worried about me--"the body snatcher"--since I wanted her life. And, that was before I knew she was married to a hunky soap star!

I was mesmorized by the shrine/chapel that houses and honors Marie's mother's life and ashes. I sketched it from every angle and photographed it in every light and felt the reverance of the consecrated land.

Words do not go far enough to describe the experience I had at Crystal Mesa Farm http://www.crystalmesafarm.com/

Crested Butte Colorado

I had THE BEST vacation ever! Phase one--I met Mark and Gretch in Colorado for a few days of laughing, eating, reminiscing...yoga, world class scenary and well....not too much is better than being with them in our family's beloved Rocky Mountains. I have miles of sketches and start with these.

I sat on a corner and could have sketched all day. I was approached by a really darling girl, Melissa Neuner, curious about what I was up to! She has an art studio/school in Crested Butte We talked about art and everything else (!) and became fast friends. I hope to see you next summer, Melissa! Check out her passion, if you are in the area http://crestedbuttestudio.com/default.asp

The church in the distance is where Charles and I found a minister to marry us on the banks of Spring Creek. It is a different color now, so I painted it the way I remember it back in 1981.

The second sketch is dedicated to my brother, Paul---he would call this "Another Day In Paradise"... in this case Paradise Cafe!


This was a day of bliss.......

Arte y Pico Award

Inspired by Danny Gregory http://www.dannygregory.com/ the Every Day Matters Group
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/everydaymatters/ is an amazingly supportive, talented group of artists. The seasoned professionals are so willing to share advice and provide praise. The newbies are so charged up and willing to put themselves out there for all the world to see. Since I only started this journey a few months ago, I am tickled to be noticed by the legends and the "up and comers" alike. It is so fun to get peer recognition such as the one awarded to me today by http://purplepaintsmuse.blogspot.com/ THANK YOU! I am so happy to be in the company of a couple of my favorites (the 2 Magnificent Margarets!)
http://waterblossoms.blogspot.com/ and http://scquiltaddict.blogspot.com/
Plus, I love being introduced and to artists I had not known before.

This award is described better on the website http://arteypico.blogspot.com/
For now, just know that I am honoring five sites that for me are-- WOW! Participation is optional but here are the guidelines:
1) You have to pick 5 blogs that you consider deserve this award, creativity, design, interesting material, and also contrubuites to the blogger community, no matter of language.
2) Each award has to have the name of the author and also a link to his or her blog to be visited by everyone.
3) Each award-winning, has to show the award and put the name and link to the blog thathas given her or him the ward itself.
4) Award-winning and the one who has given the prize have to show the link of "Arte y pico"blog , so everyone will know the origin of this award.
5) To show these rules

This gives me a chance to bring attention to and honor some folks that bring me joy and teach me something every day. And the nominees are>>>

http://gabicampanario.blogspot.com/
A world ahead of most in the blog-o-sphere!

http://www.paperandthreads.com/
I love seeing and reading about Shirley's interesting life, travels and family. Her ideas and style keep MY creative juices flowing!

http://thehappypainter22.blogspot.com/
An example of how trying something new can open up a whole new world!

http://rahkyndl.blogspot.com/
What incredible detail--check out his "organized chaos"! Oh my goodness!

http://john-alookin.blogspot.com/
Even newer to this sketching/blogging world than me! Visiting John's blog is such a fun stop along the way.

Who knew there was such a huge world of like minded individuals out there?!

Martha & Lisa - "Favorite Things"

What a treat to open the mail and see a Reloaded Moleskine
from my dear friend and best sketchbuddy, Martha!

http://www.trumpetvine.com/sketchblog/moleskine-reloaded/ (to see how she does it!)

She had sketched a "bunny pot" that I gave her when we left California. She has planted it with some pretty flowers and it appears to be thriving. The sketch is beautiful and warmed my heart when I opened up our new book. We are doing our own exchange and will sketch our "Favorite Things".

I am posting Martha's sketch and will put my contribution in the mail tomorrow.

Thanks, Martha! I miss you! Lisa

House Painting

What REALLY kept me from painting recently was PAINTING! House painting that is! My son and I spent some long Texas HOT days repainting the exterior of our little house. I am so pleased with the outcome. Several people have referred to it as a "doll house" which really makes me happy. It is becoming the cottage I envisioned!
Weird. When I picked the colors and put it on the computerized house, I was not even thinking of the back of the house--which seems to be a lost cause. Look at how similar the Home Depot version is to ours. I love it when things happen like that!
Thanks for following along!
Lisa

"Reclaim Your Life" Sketches

I had the priviledge of attending a two day course " Reclaiming Your Life" this weekend. I am posting these two quick sketches to remind myself of some of the key things I got from it. I am pretty charged up with some tools to help me be the best that I can be and enjoy that journey. Can you tell, I had some housekeeping to do--getting my blog up to date so I can move onto my grander goals? Thanks Lane Pierce http://www.allotime.com/ for a terrific weekend! You are a rock star!

Here is The Chair (a symbol of obstacles I have no use for!) and Lane reminding us all to FOCUS!

More Summer Fun!

We have a Lake very near and it helps keep us cool in this crazy Texas heat. Okay, nothing can really help but we go anyway. Our nephew came to visit from Austin and the kids enjoyed the beach. We have also spent some time there with our old friends, Pat and Joe, kayaking and picnicking. Here are some sketches from adventures on Lake Ray Roberts.

Another Talented Niece!

A great bonus of being back in Texas is being able to enjoy the talents of my nieces and nephews.

Anna is a wonderful musician and I got to see her perform (Oboe) following her Longhorn Band Camp at UT recently. The first group is very quick scribbly contour sketches of the musicians, then some of the audience. The last is a sketch of the concert setting as they played their hearts out.

Award!

I was tickled pink this morning to wake up to this award by EDM peer.

Thank you Starr http://wistex1129.blogspot.com/ ! I have also been in a creative slump, at least when it comes to sketching and actually getting something posted. This is just the shot in the arm I needed!

The rules of acceptance are:

1. Put the logo on your blog.

2. Add a link to the person who awarded you.

3. Nominate 7 other blogs.

4. Add links to those blogs on yours.

5. Leave a message for your nominees on their blogs.

This is a short list of blogs that I enjoy and inspire me daily:

http://www.trumpetvine.com/ My buddy and the mentor of so many of us!
http://terrybanderas.blogspot.com/ A newer blog to me, but so delightful!
http://bmgarnersketches.blogspot.com/ Just a creative genius, that's all!
http://waterblossoms.blogspot.com/ A feast of delicious artistic surprises every day!
http://artbyanita.blogspot.com/ I visit multiple times daily and can't wait for Anita's posts!
http://abrushwithcolor.blogspot.com/ Simply wonderful!

http://demibrix.blogspot.com/ I am enjoying your journey so much!

(Of course participation is optional)

Sketching in the dark

My dancing niece had her recital yesterday (she was wonderful!) I sketched in the pitch dark and added some color this afternoon. Martha's sketches in the dark http://www.trumpetvine.com/sketchblog/2008/04/20/symphony/ inspired me to try this. What fun!!

Ashland Sketch

This is one of the first sketches I did when I started this sketchaploosa and haven't stopped! I posted it before, but it was too small to see. It is on sketch paper with a really light wash- since the paper wasn't made for water! Don't laugh, I was new and didn't know!

The sketch is my wonky intrepetation of a little restaurant in Main Street in Ashland where I went with my Berkeley Bad Girls Book Club in October. Martha sketched it, too. If you want to take another look at hers, it is here...

http://www.trumpetvine.com/sketchblog/2007/11/18/ashland_oregon/

Fun to see how different the two sketches are! I love revisiting sketches even more than photos. What vivid memories they bring!