Nature Sketching

Early this morning I drove to our City Park, one of my favorite places for hiking, sketching, and just communing …

Sticks and Stones

We’ve all heard that familiar childhood rhyme. Stick and stones may break my bones…” The rhyme is intended to strengthen us against …

Stumped

When I made my big charcoal mess a few days ago, I was definitely feeling frustrated. For me, one of …

Barking Up the Wrong Tree

Nope, I’m not drawing dogs — although our stuffed puppies do make excellent subjects. From time to time I will …

Speak Softly

Theodore Roosevelt’s foreign policy was based upon his thought that good diplomacy came about when one spoke softly…and carried a …

Afternoon Serenade – Unfinished

Today I’d like to share my “Zeny Woodpecker”, and tell you a bit about its story. During the past spring …

Rocks Revisited

When I first began learning to draw, I sat outside and patiently drew a couple of rocks  sitting in a …

An Illusion of Oregano

I have always loved words. All languages fascinate me. Among the words I most enjoy are those that describe groups …

Become One with the Tree

Recently I’ve been looking again at works by my favorite landscape artists — Thomas Cole, Asher Durand, Frederic Church and …

Just Doodlin’

I’ve always enjoyed doodling. I think most of us have fun just picking up a pencil or pen and doodling …

What Does It Mean to be an Artist?

Anyone can learn the proper techniques to follow in art, but that alone does not make one an artist.

Will I Ever Learn?

Will I ever learn to create the landscapes I want? Will I ever be able to paint trees that make me smile? Or will it always be a struggle for me?

Sketchbook Memories

Every artist — and every aspiring artist — should have a sketchbook. Although it might seem like an insignificant little thing, it’s one of the most important tools in our art arsenal.

My Matterhorn

When I first got the inspiration to paint this mountain, I really thought I was out of my mind. Me? Paint the Matterhorn? But I grabbed a canvas panel, picked up a piece of charcoal, and began blocking in the shapes.

Landscape and the Sublime: The Art of Caspar David Friedrich

Friedrich wanted to capture elements of the sublime, that moment of “connection” that often happens when we contemplate the natural world, that inexpressible feeling of our own spiritual being, our awareness that we are but a part of something greater than our insignificant selves.

Penguin

Have a Happy Draw-a-Bird-in-August Day! Even though I’m taking a summer break, this little penguin didn’t want to miss out …