Wild Turkeys Inked

 

How often do I get to sketch wild turkeys in my sketchbook?!! These sweet birds make their daily journey down and up the mountain, walking right beside the cabin.  These were quite young, not nearly as filled out as the big ones. They are very tame here, almost as if they have no predators. I bet I won't see them on the banks of Lake Erie! Painting number 4573 in 4573 days. 

Overlook Chapel View

 

What a peaceful and serene view to sketch from near the Overlook Chapel!  This is the kind of view one could look at forever, and never tire of.  I chose this vintage journal for my pen and ink sketch walk today.  Longing for that timeless feel, this page could have been drawn 100 years ago.  These mountains are timeless, as the many souls who have stood in this place taking in the beauty. Perhaps they sketched here, or shared a prayer of gratitude, as I do this day.  There are so many priceless things in this life, and this moment is one of them. Painting number 4569 in 4569 days. 

Ponderosa Paint Demo

Just when I thought we'd be able to find our perfect composition in the woods, the Day Camp group I was teaching was put under a Red Thunder protocol. This means we had to shelter under the roof on the back porch rather than in the open. So, I sketched two trees which I could see, sharing my process in steps while we worked together.  The class was full of wonderful artists!  It was super fun to see what they each did with in and watercolor, while observing their scene in nature.  I hope they all continue this practice of sketching outside in the future!  Painting number 4567 in 4567 days. 

Dandelion!

Day 2 - Artist Residency! This is my first Nature Art Journal workshop demo at the YMCA of the Rockies, and this dandelion next to the tables made the perfect subject for line, color and value instruction.  Bonus - Mr. Bee joined for the sketch, and now he's been immortalized on paper!  It was fun to share drawing instruction with an absolute newbie in the group, too.  She's got skills she didn't know she had, and has now started down the path of Art journaling!  Everyone was so nice, and I got some GREAT bear tips from the locals! Painting number 4547 in 4547 days. 

Turkey Trot

Right on cue, the wild turkeys started their single file march up Emerald Mountain as we arrived at our cabin near sunset. These turkeys march down in the mornings to the stable, and up at night to roost. I thought the late comer at the end might just jump up on the porch as he eyed me curiously!  First sketch in my travel journal in Estes Park! I'm the Artist in Residence for the next three weeks!  Come see me if you're in the area!  Painting number 4545 in 4545 days. 

First Pansies

 

Today finds me in the garden for a quick pansy sketch before family come by! Yesterday's rain was a little hard on them, but they are still shining this morning.  Pansies are so sweet in early spring, and each line and brushstroke while in the garden lifts my soul.  I soon will have a couple of little helpers out here, too!  Painting number 5143 in 5143 days. 

Barrett Browning Dafs

 

Painting these beauties can brighten up any day, even the dark ones we travel now.  I've spent all my time support family these last days, and it doesn't seem to be enough.  In the little scraps of time I find, I choose to sketch the beauty of this special variety.  It cheers my soul to put pen to paper, like time spent with an old friend.  Their beauty is fleeting, and I can only hope to get them all painted before they fade. Painting number 5142 in 5142 days. 

Spring on the Farm

 

Our daffodils have never been as abundant as they are this year and I'm so happy to get to paint them in their glory.  The very first variety to bloom is just starting to fade, as others are opening up anew. This variety in the foreground is just coming to it's peak.  The redbuds are also shining pink, though blocked in this view by foliage to the right.  This farm has been in my family for 80 years, a place of hopes and dreams for generations.  I love this place with my every breath, and continue to scatter bulbs and seeds as my grandmother did.  I hope to paint every bloom one day, each planted where I intend to paint. Painting number 5141 in 5141 days. 

First Daffodils

These first daffodils greeted me by the front porch this morning, blooming abundantly!  Normally one or two will open up first on the cellar or under the windmill, before these.  What a sunny surprise it was to find a while bouquet - so I HAD to paint them!  This is a journal i bought at a local shop right before the holidays, and I am just getting to know it.  The cotton paper is very soft, and rather resistant to my watercolors.  So, I must load the brush a little heavier and use a bit more water, to work into that sizing on the page.  The leather cover is lovely, with leaves on a branch adorning it. My plan is to use this journal for my nature studies and lovelies in my garden. Who knows where the pages will lead me?  Painting number 5122 in 5122 days. 

Sponge Boats

The Sponge Docks in Tarpon Springs are a "must paint" for me whenever I'm in town!  It's a great place for dining, shopping and painting sponge boats!! 

Prickly Pear Cactus

I sketched this lovely prickly pear at the top of the Window Trail Loop as we played with Casper and Kirby. These beauties are abundant here, so I captured them with pen and ink on the aged pages of one of my favorite travel journals.  We enjoyed prickly pear shiners and prickly pear tacos that were amazing, too!  These come in shades of yellow green to purplish pink, and I can't wait to paint them in oil and watercolor, too!  Painting number 5100 in 5100 days.  

Ferris Wheel at Scheels

 

It was fun to meet inside to sketch the Ferris wheel on this very cold day with artist friends and Mom!  Lunch afterwards at their Cafe was icing on the cake.  Scheels is a great place to shop, with painting subjects ranging from architecture to the grand aquarium and taxidermy.  I brought a sketchbook today, wanting to immerse myself a little deeper in my methods.  Many subjects would have been far easier than this Ferris wheel, but when I think of Scheels, this is what comes to mind.  I've left the upper left corner a little dreamy because I plan to write about my day in that area.  I find it best to sketch on scene and fill in the words later - when I'm not so distracted by family and friends.  I can paint all day while talking to others, but it takes solitude to pull together the right words that really 'paint' my experience.  Painting number 5068 in 5068 days. 

Harvey's at Union Station

 It was such a fun morning sketching at Union Station with my oldest daughter and artist friends, Jean.  We ordered hot drinks and visited as we worked.  It is the first time Tiffany had joined in Monday morning paint outs - and she did such a great job!  I'm so excited for her newly found art journey!  With all the boys in school, she can join me more often!  Since she didn't need to be home until 2 - we sketched for an extra hour in the upper balcony!  This is the first painting in my new sketchbook - I can't wait to see what unfolds!  Painting number 5146 in 5146 days.