Category Archives: sketchbook

Jimmy and Rosalyn Carter

I am slowly posting older posts —  I’ve been swamped with work! I create sketches, take pictures, but have no time to post! Created December 29 2024: Jimmy Carter Died today, at 100 years old, and thankfully, in his own … Continue reading

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Tools: Watercolor Palettes, Updated

There is not much I buy that thrills me like a new paint color to play with!  To those who say “true artists” mix colors and have a simple palette of 3 cool primaries, 3 warm primaries, + white, I … Continue reading

Posted in art journal, color, creativity, drawing, journal, painting, process, sketchbook, watercolor, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Pussycootis, a Friend’s Cat

I sketched this for my friend from an image he posted, because he loves Pussycootis and the image was compelling! Simple line drawing in a EF Platinum Carbon (waterproof) ink, followed by adding pale greys and brown in diluted brown … Continue reading

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Two Wonderful Videos

I enjoyed them — they speak of another time, and in my opinion, a gentler, more exciting and friendlier time in our country. .  

Posted in architecture, art journal, creativity, direct watercolor, drawing, gouache, ink painting, journal, painting, pen & ink, process, sketchbook, virtual sketching, waterbrush, watercolor, writing | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

VSW: Palms is Where I Wanna Be

On the last day of one of the worst years, 2024, I looked to a Virtual Sketchwalk palm-tree-and-beach image from Vietnam to lift my spirits, and said prayers, partly because I knew where our country was headed in 2025. I … Continue reading

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Izzee Keeps me Company

Izzee is always a happy gurl when she can sit close and watch me sketch. Hahnemühle Nostalgie Sketchbook, Platinum Japanese Art Pocket Brush Pen, Platinum Carbon pen with Platinum Carbon ink waterproof cartridges, De Atramentis Document Urban Grey ink in … Continue reading

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USk: Dogwood Blossoms

The only thing good about my trip to the dentist were the Dogwoods in bloom. Pink and white blossoms everywhere, and this year the blossoms are heavy in the trees. They remind me of trips to visit Mimi and Pa … Continue reading

Posted in architecture, art journal, creativity, direct watercolor, drawing, gouache, ink painting, journal, painting, pen & ink, process, sketchbook, virtual sketching, waterbrush, watercolor, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

When Jimmy Carter Died

December 29 2024 Jimmy Carter Died today, at 100 years old, and thankfully, in his own bed.  The man deserved a good death.  I cried, the only time I ever cried for a politician when they died. I am glad … Continue reading

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Yaman the HelperCat

Yaman is his Daddy’s best friend. Where Mitchell is, Yaman is.  If I can’t find Mitchell in the studio I look for our panther-cat to be sitting outside a closed door, waiting impatiently to be let in.  There is jealousy … Continue reading

Posted in animals, art journal, Cat, drawing, journal, memory, painting, process, sketchbook, virtual sketching, watercolor | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Home is Burning

Los Angeles is where I was born, at a hospital in Hollywood. I have two places I call home, the West side, which is burning, and Laguna Beach. I have been everywhere that is on fire, and have friends, and … Continue reading

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How Do I Use My Journals? What Do I Write About?

Facebook recently alerted me to an anniversary of 10 years using watercolors in a sketchbook.  As a result a friend asked me how many sketchbooks have I gone through in ten years.  After counting, I found it is between 6-8 … Continue reading

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How Many Sketchbooks in a Year?

Facebook recently alerted me to 10 years using watercolors in a sketchbook. I had to share that anniversary — it surprised me — and as a result I was asked how many sketchbooks have I gone through in ten years.  … Continue reading

Posted in art journal, commentary, gouache, journal, painting, pen & ink, sketchbook, urban sketchers, virtual sketching, watercolor | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

VSW: Fremantle AU Boys School

From our Virtual Sketchwalk group on Facebook, Fremantle Austrailia; images offered were mostly by Debi Taylor. We do a different place each month! Info from Wikipedia: The Fremantle Boys’ School is a heritage building on the Register of National Estate … Continue reading

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VSW: Two Aussie Birds in Direct Watercolor

From our Virtual Sketchwalk group (on Facebook), Fremantle Austrailia; images offered were mostly by Debi Taylor. We do a different place each month. Pen and ink is my jam… In direct watercolor we use no lines (tho’  I sometimes cheat … Continue reading

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VSW: Direct Watercolor of Fremantle Market

From our Virtual Sketchwalk group (on Facebook), Fremantle Austrailia; images offered were mostly by Debi Taylor. We do a different place each month. Direct watercolor is a challenge for me.  I love drawing with pen and ink…  In direct watercolor … Continue reading

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VSW: Swimming in the Bay, Dubrovnik, Croatia

Our Virtual Sketchwalk group on Facebook visited Croatia, and the green waters of the bay near Dubrovnik win my heart. Inked sketch using an EF Platinum Carbon pen with Platinum Carbon waterproof ink cartridges. Pentel Aquash waterbrushes added definition or … Continue reading

Posted in art journal, landscape, painting, pen & ink, process, sketchbook, virtual sketching, watercolor | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

NOT Politics As Usual

I am so fucking depressed about the turn of events in our country, about how divided we are, that I have not been able to sketch anything. For the first time in years, I am stuck. Hear me out, because … Continue reading

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Cats: Yaman

PS.  Yaman had a skin issue; that is why the bandage. I’ve been getting questions. I hope this two-page watercolor of Yaman has finally taught me a lesson, and it has nothing to do with the quality of Hahnemühle’s Nostalgie … Continue reading

Posted in animals, art journal, Cat, drawing, journal, memory, painting, pen & ink, process, sketchbook, virtual sketching, watercolor | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments