Lino Reductions

These are probably the 2 worst lino reductions that you'll ever see. And, these were the best of each batch. I guess it's not too bad for a first and second try, especially since I was printing them by hand.

Another Cardinal

Another cardinal in graphite.

Another Aborigine

If you're new to my sketchblog, feel free to scroll through older posts. I have several types of work on here. My full pastel paintings (like below), my full graphite drawings (like the Condor and Kingfisher), and on the spot sketches that are more for fun and being out drawing with friends than anything else.



This is a soft pastel piece that made it into the Women's Show at the Butler Institite Trumbull Branch a couple of years ago. It's one of the biggest shows that I was juried into (this was one of two pieces of mine that got into the show, the 2nd is in a frame and it's almost impossible to take a photo of it due to glare).

Manatees

Manatees in soft pastel. Sorry for the funky angle, I took the picture in the natural light from my windows with it on the floor. I couldn't seem to take the picture straight down on it. Probably wouldn't have noticed if I had cut the mat off when I fixed the photo digitally.

Kingfisher

Kingfisher in graphite.

Skyrail

This is from a photo from 5 years ago. When I worked on this, I had my picture taken for an article when I did a demonstration for an art organization near Mount Union College.

This was a while ago, and I think that my style has developed a bit more over the years. I can see a lot of problems with this piece, though I do like the letterwork. Letters have always been my weakness; they often discourage me from painting or drawing a particular scene. I should work on them more, because I'll only get better if I keep doing it.

Sketchcrawl 12-5-09

ISCA Convention

Had just a few minutes free while working at the International Society of Caricature Artists convention in Sandusky. Drew a couple of easels set up near my table.

Condor

Navajo

Pastel (mainly pastel pencil) on smooth black paper.

Aborigine

Aborigine portrat in pastel on sanded paper. Taking me back to my trip to Australia.

Halle Building

A building that I drew when I went to the Playhouse Square area to draw yesterday.

Playhouse Square Area

Felt like being alone to sketch this morning, so instead of joining the Sunday group, I went on my own to the Playhouse Square area. I think that I'm working faster, because I was able to complete two drawings in less than 90 minutes. This is one of a few lights that are adjacent to the RTA station at Euclid and East 14th. It was odd to draw, because I had to sit pretty close (just across the street). I'll post the other one later.

Draw Bridge

Joined the Sunday sketchcrawl again this past week. I had a lot of false starts, some were bad, some I had the sun in my eyes, but finally something turned out okay.

No Sketchcrawl Yesterday

Forces were working against me at the sketchcrawl yesterday. First, it was raining horribly. Second, it was really cold. Third, I actually forgot my sketchbook.

Quarry Park North, South Euclid

Went to Quarry Park North in South Euclid to draw playground equipment.

Free Stamp

Joined the sketchgroup again this morning, and we met at the Free Stamp, where I couldn't hlpe but give our giant Free Stamp a shot. It's not quite right, and I will give it another shot some day.

Rhagdoll

I wanted to draw something around my home last night and I decided to draw my Rhagdoll. This is from a great craftsperson that you used to see at the Ohio Mart every year, but I don't thinkt hat she's been there for the last couple of years. You can still buy her beautiful dolls by contacting her through her website or checking out what shows she'll be at.

Lake Erie Boats

"Boats are hard," could be heard by 2 sketchers on the Boardwalk Cafe along North Marginal Road. Met up with Karen to draw boats and the lake yesterday afternoon. This was done in my Moleskine with the pages toned with spray paint.

I can't wait to see Karen's, because her's looked like a postcard with a whole scene sketched out.

There was a great breeze, but the sun soon overtook the building and was going to take away our shade.

Cuyahoga River Bridge

Went on the weekly sketchcrawl again this morning before work. We drew on the steps of the U.S. Courthouse, and even though I've done that a couple of times over the summer, I went over without complaining (too much). It almost forced me to draw a bridge, since I'd drawn several other landmarks around that area.

I'd toned my moleskine paper with Montana Gold spray paint prior to going. Next time, I'll do it the night before, since all I could smell was the spray paint while I drew.

Somehow, the bridge came out looking very cute. Though, in reality, it's very industrial.

Sketchcrawl 8-9-09

Went on the sketchcrawl again this week. I'd drawn enough whole buildings lately, so I decided to focus on something smaller this week. There was this little area of St. Clair where there was a Psychic storefront, a Subway sandwich shop (below street level), and what appeared to be a very expensive Italian restaurant that had a below street level entrance. I don't know what the pink thing is, but I drew it anyways.

Life Drawing 8-5-09

I had some trouble during life drawing with the gentleman's face. So, after a couple of full body drawings, I decided to use the last 15 minutes to just work on a sketch of his head. This is what happened. Now, you would never be able to identify him from this sketch, obviously. But, I like how it came out sort of cartoonish. I guess a nice accident.

Life Drawing Tonight

Will be going to life drawing for the first time this year. Here are a couple of sketches from the last time that I'd gone. I'm by far no where near the top people there, but I go with a friend and we have fun.

Innerbelt Bridge

Was up at 5:50am for no reason at all. After a quick trip to do paperwork at work, I went over to Steelyard Commons to draw the innerbelt. I took some liberties with the sky (it's actually mostly a hillside behind most of it).

Sunday Sketchcrawl 8-2-09

It sprinkled a bit this morning for the weekly sketchcrawl, but that didn't deter a few of us from still giving a go of out it outside. I started in the car, moved to the street, and then moved underneath a building overhang. I finished it up after I got home from work this afternoon.

Feel free to join us next Sunday from 9am-10:30. Typically, we meet at the West 9th Phoenix Coffee. But, it's also important to check out the group's blog in order to see if the plans for meeting have changed. It's here.

This is the back of some of the buildings running along Superior. I thought it was interesting because of the ductwork coming down, but didn't realize until I was into it that it would mainly be windows. I need to work something other than windows next week.

Rockefeller Greenhouse

Went to the Rockefeller Greenhouse with Tabitha to draw again today. She likes drawing in parks where there are flowers and trees. After several trips in and out of the greenhouse, we figured it was more comfortable drawing outside in the shade near the gazebo. Not realizing that it closed at 4, we didn't have a terrible amount of time to draw, so I focused on this one flower stalk, and she focused on a flower while also drawing a great bee.

It's way more comfortable there once you just ignore the bees. They really have no interest in you with all of those flowers around, afterall.

Weekly Sketchcrawl

Went to the weekly sketchcrawl again this morning. Started out on the steps near the Carl Stokes U.S. Courthouse, and was serenaded by the rapid bells every few minutes while I drew a building down by the drawbridge. A security guard checked on me while I was there (he was probably bored, because there seems to be no one around there on a Sunday morning).

Then, moved to the east bank of the flats where, we settled in to sketch across the river on the west bank of the flats where lovers walk along the river, smelling the unique "fragrance" of the water. We did enjoy watching he mightiest tugboat pull some giant Canadian boat around the crooked turns of the river, as it blocked our view for about 15 minutes.

Crocker Park

Went out to Crocker Park with my friend, Blaine. It was overcast, but the rain held out while we were there. Crocker Park is one of those shopping centers set up to mimic a city, instead of the developers actually developing an existing city.

Mallorca

This is Mallorca restaurant on West 9th as seen from across the street. I played with splattering masking fluid on this one, but I got a couple of major splotches, but not enough smaller ones. I also made a major mess by spilling it. It got all over my erasers. Luckily, I had a lot of paper towels for clean up. I've amassed a major bag of on-site sketching supplies now. I might even get a camper's stool soon.

Courthouse Part 2

Went down to the sketchcrawl again this week. Drew the courthouse from a curb on West 9th. Not very realistic, of course, but if you live in Cleveland, you'll know right where this is.

Lamp

Squire's Castle

Cleveland Botanical Garden

Sunday Sketchcrawl

Etsy Shop

I haven't voiced this goal before, so I thought I would post it here. I've always wanted to own my own shop where I sell handmade items with my living quarters above it. To help make this dream come true, I'm selling my own handmade items to raise money over the next several years. Feel free to take a browse through my online shop, and if you find something you like, I would appreciate your business.

Lakeview Cemetary

Sketching Around Cleveland

We drew on the stairs down to Browns Stadium this afternoon. This is the view that I worked on which is the Science Center with the Rock Hall in the background.

This was done while Blaine and I were getting pestered by lots of midges. At one point, we were just letting them land on us, until we realized that they weren't midges, but some other kind of menacing bug.

New Mac

Another New Toy

New Amp

Long time, No see

Change of Pace

Have been writing instead of drawing lately. I'm up to almost 20,000 words on this project. I haven't written in probably 7 years, used to write quite a bit.