Follow Your Mind The Art Will Follow


Let me begin by reporting that Shirley is practicing her croissant sketches, though I fear she eats two for every one she sketches, thankfully they know a good boulangerie that is nearby. I know a lot of folks that read this also sketch, be sure to tag me when you post something as I would…

Aquarelle, Graphite and Shirley


This has been an interesting, well OK, challenging week as far as the French System goes, but thankfully graphite pencils, watercolor markers, and friends got me through. Last week we returned from five days in Paris with Alexis and Joe. Wednesday evening we said our goodbyes. They left early Thursday morning for CDG and flights…

What’s happening at Pen Ink and Paint


The last couple of weeks have been busy, a weekend birthday party for Tricia, a weekend of friends and food, planning for France, and yes, a bit of sketching and painting along the way. Here are a few samples A few Travelsketch style An Acrylic, 9×14 on panel – it is for sale. And of…

What I learned about sketching from birds


Most of us have something that intimidates us when we think of doing a sketch. Some fear buildings because of perspective issues, others its people and faces, for me it is (was) birds. Past attempts were usually disappointing. Thanks to Lyanda Lynn Haupt the author of Crow Planet, and Nature Together in Mukilteo, WA, I…

Hunting in Puget Sound


The tide was lower than normal yesterday, exposing green rocks and providing a rich hunting ground in the shallow water for the local herons. A clear cerulean blue sky changed the often gray green water to a deep blue. Watching a heron hunt is a lesson in patience, standing completly still for minutes at a…