Category Archives: writing

VSW: Duluth Lighthouses, 2

Of the three lighthouses I sketched around Lake Superior I think the Duluth North Pier Lighthouse is my favorite, mostly because of the challenges. Lots of people, lots of color and texture, and a lovely reflection in a puddle on … Continue reading

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Letter Writing

I miss letter writing. Truth is I have no one to write to now.  The writers are long dead, RIP. I used to get amazing letters from my Auntie Elsa who traveled all over the world and never forgot to … Continue reading

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I Stand With Ukraine

Middle of last night I was made watching another round of tanks and fear, and journaled for quite a bit.  A ritual we do when we are enjoying our safe, warm, happy beingness (and good food and so forth) is … Continue reading

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More Idahome Flowers

More images of wildflowers from Marianne. In this set I like the line drawings a bit more. It is the transition in backgrounds I am not as fond of here. I LOVED doing the line drawings for these, and like … Continue reading

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Kamala and My Art Bag

 I bought a canvas riggers bag from Harbor Freight. It holds my A4 Hahnemuhle watercolor journal easily plus pens and brushes and watercolors and my wallet. It sits flat on the floor, allowing me to reach in and grab whatever! … Continue reading

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Tools: Fountain Pen Revolution Himalaya

I am a huge fan of Fountain Pen Revolution’s Himalaya pen (not Himalayan as I’ve been calling it all this time!)  From here on referred to as “FPR” so not to have to spell it out!  Currently I am asking … Continue reading

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Feed the Birds

Okay, my game is off (for good reason, another story) but I did this baaaad sketch because I have to shake it off and that can shift my mojo. I share the bad stuff so someone starting doesn’t feel badly … Continue reading

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My Perfect Journal

I’ve been journaling for 50 years, art journaling for forty (first architectural ideas, now art).  I’ve tried many journals before finding my perfect journal.  I bought the Chinese Journals (left, and btw, review in links) from Chinatown in San Fransisco … Continue reading

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Kill Winter with Orange

Time honored tradition now in the pen community… I’m ready! Kill Winter with Orange! I’m for warm colors warm weather and this year the cold in the studio never seems to end despite woolly socks and a heater! Cold cold … Continue reading

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Inky Thots: Birmingham Two Twinkles

Twinkle is all about the shimmer! Birmingham Pen Co has fifteen Twinkle inks right now, and if you love shimmer, these are the best! These inks are Mitchell’s favorites.  He loves shimmery inks, and Tributary Twinkle is probably his favorite.  … Continue reading

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Inky Thots: Robert Oster Monsoon Clouds

  From the post Wednesday! I love sketching with soluble grey inks, but this last month I popped a new greyish purplish color in my Benu Talisman pen, which I am loving: PEN CHALET’s Exclusive, Robert Oster Monsoon Clouds.  To … Continue reading

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Robert Oster’s Monsoon Clouds Ink Sketches

I don’t usually show the images I sketch from, but this is an exception. This is a view I see almost every night: Savitri curled into my right side while I try to sketch. She thinks she helps, and as … Continue reading

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Inky Thots: Robert Oster African Gold

Robert Oster Signature African Gold is my favorite gold sketching and suitable for the office and of course, my artwork. It is a rich gold going into a blackish sheen. I don’t think of it as a shading ink. Others … Continue reading

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Gibbs, Acrobat Cat

He gets into everything… He is a chonky fella now so it is a bit worrisome when he decides to walk along a narrow 2-inch walkway or worse, try and walk along the edge of a basket!!! I say “NO!”  … Continue reading

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Gratitude, not just at Thanksgiving

One key to surviving depression is gratitude. Every day I write about what I am grateful for, even if it is just a line during the day in my journal. The more depressed I am the more I do gratitude … Continue reading

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Mimi and Me

My grandma could do not wrong… I called her Mimi but have no idea where that came from. When I took my first Communion they drove down from Grass Valley: her coming to visit was the best thing about Communion. … Continue reading

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Inky Thots: Robert Oster Muddy Dragon

Swatched on watercolor paper, as that is the paper I use the most when not writing. I am a fan of all the “Muddy” colors (see below) but I must admit that this Muddy Dragon is one of my favorite … Continue reading

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Tools: Leonardo Officina Italiana Pen

Red is my favorite color… I love pens! I love gifts! Imagine how thrilled I am with three favorite things coming together in one pen? Thrilled! Leonardo Officina Italiana Pen in Red Passion… Filled with Robert Oster Direct Sun! This … Continue reading

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