Category Archives: sketchbook

VSW: Angra do Heroísmo, 4

Our Virtual Sketching group was led this month by Toni, who took us to the island of Angra do Heroísmo. I went back to push the boundaries of using inks and watercolors, wanting to sketch impressions of Angra do Heroísmo. … Continue reading

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VSW: Angra do Heroísmo, 1

Our Virtual Sketching group was led this month by Toni, who took us to the island of Angra do Heroísmo.   Such a treat — I’ve never even heard of this island! My push for myself is to continue to work … Continue reading

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Sketching Memories of Our Staycation, 5 Yellow Truck

Is there anything cooler than an old truck? It brings back memories of my baby brother’s blue truck, of my grandparents ranch and their Grange friends, of riding in the back of my middle brother’s truck with my arms around … Continue reading

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Sketching Memories of Our Staycation, 4 Studio is Best

The best coffee is made in our presspot, by Mitchell. Organic French or Italian roast, he grinds it Turkish, so fine it is like espresso. Thin sliced organic ginger (way more than you’d think) and dark brown organic sugar added … Continue reading

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Sketching Memories of Our Staycation, 3 Industrial

Writing, writing, writing. . .  Make the book exciting, Raw-hide! Mitchell likes to make up new words to old songs! Our quest to try new places took us to the Industrial Cafe for breakfast. It was good, but not great.  … Continue reading

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Inktober, Week Four

Inktober is done!  I don’t know if I inked every day — my priority was writing our book — but I certainly pushed the boundaries of inking and playing with ink. Most of these drawings will be taken further into … Continue reading

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Sketching Memories of Our Staycation, 2 Work Happens

Small business owners rarely get to really take time off.  You can’t ignore a new client (or they may go elsewhere) and you can’t ignore the absolutely only time for a delivery, in our case.  Crater Lake is one of … Continue reading

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Sketching Memories of Our Staycation, 1

I love sketching in journals because I love making our memories come to life. Mitchell and I are staying in Portland for our vacation; I am told the hip thing to call it is a “staycation.” Mostly we are working … Continue reading

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Inktober, Week Three

Of course, a lot of my drawings for Inktober were created for my virtual Haight-Ashbury walk.  This week, besides finishing that walk, I also had some fun creating the following: The beginning of a post on delivering the Crater Lake … Continue reading

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My Secret Journal: Six, Goat-Milk Ice Cream

Note:  I am writing a story/journal that I don’t want to show before it is published in full.  These are some of the illustrated pages in the sketchbook for the story. Home-made organic goat milk ice cream became a possibility … Continue reading

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Tools: Water-Brushes and Pigmented Brushes

I don’t use water brushes except in two places — I keep them by the side of the bed (I am an insomniac, so also have a sketch pad and travel watercolors) and when in the field. Don’t forget, these … Continue reading

Posted in art journal, Booby Gurl, india ink, paint brush, painting, review, sketchbook, waterbrush, watercolor | Tagged , , , , , | 8 Comments

Inktober, First week

I feel like I am cheating with this challenge in that my drawings usually begin with ink then watercolor is applied — though sometimes more ink is applied — hell, I dunno.  Feels like cheating not to do a separate … Continue reading

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My Secret Journal: Five, NW Neighborhood

(Note:  I am writing a journal that I don’t want to show before it is published in full.   I realized I can simply share some of the images without the writing;  These are a few blank pages that will … Continue reading

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VSW: #2 Haight-Ashbury, San Francisco

The inspiration for this virtual walk came from a Preservation Leadership blog on Early San Fransisco Parking Garages.  I love funky old buildings, and these are anonymously designed (in some cases) and I don’t want them torn down! As usual, … Continue reading

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USk: Frank Ching, Gail Wong Workshop

I had the opportunity to meet the man who taught me more than most professors in college, and influenced my drawing style as a free-hand sketcher of the built environment: Frank Ching.  Architecture: Form Space and Order made sense out … Continue reading

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My Secret Journal: Two, Ganesha Chaturthi

Note:  I am writing a story/journal that I don’t want to show before it is published in full.  These are some of the illustrated pages in the sketchbook for the story. In honor of Ganesha Chaturthi, or Vinayaka Chaturthi, our … Continue reading

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My Secret Journal: One

Well as my brother’s used to say, I AM blonde! (Sssshhh, so are two of my brothers.) I am writing a journal that I don’t want to show before it is published in full. This is why I have not … Continue reading

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Gratitude Journal: Back to Studio Work!

 It is good to be back in my finish studio working on paying conservation projects. I have a NPS project due this month. Historic Mason Monterey paper and iron “chandeliers” for the Chateau need to be reproduced.  The original historic … Continue reading

Posted in art journal, furniture, handmade paper, making a living, paper, pastel, process, shellac, sketchbook, urban sketchers, watercolor | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 28 Comments