Foggy Trees

Foggy Trees

Another quick sketch in Kansas.  This is NOT in Kansas, by the way.  I just made it up.  A 30 minute sketch.

It's always an adventure...

Distant Rain

Distant Rain

My mom's old scanner does some weird stuff to some of the things I've been sketching this week.  This now looks like a Reuben's study of the Second Coming....not intended, but interesting...

(Or maybe It's all the Fox News airwaves in mom's house)

It's always an adventure...

Old Desk

Old Desk

A study sketch from mom's basement.using what paper and charcoals I had.

It's always an adventure...

County road

County Road

A mile or so north west of Salina.  another car hood sketch last September.

It's always an adventure...

Smokey Hill River

Smokey Hill River

I'm spending a quiet Christmas in Salina with my mom.  Sorted through some photos from last summer.  Thought I would try to continue to do sketching exercises.  I have a limited supply of materials here, but sometimes less is more.

It's always an adventure...

Salina Elevators

Salina Elevators

Next Monday I will be driving past this spot on my way into town.  I'll be there for two weeks tending to my mom and spending a quiet Christmas with her.  Won't be at the studio, but will be doing some charcoals at her house.  Not much 'plein air' work in Kansas during winter solstice but I'm anxious to get back to charcoal for awhile.

I did this in '08 just on the cusp of getting back into my art after a long, long haitus into architecture.  I prefer art.  It used to not pay very well, and still doesn't for that matter.  But, in this economy now, neither does architecture.  And besides, architecture is really only 2% art, if that - its mostly about attorneys and contractors - and everything you design is driven by what your defense will be at some future deposition.  I prefer art.  

It's always an adventure...

Night Train

Night Train color study

This photo is of a grain elevator in Salina, Kansas.  I have some pastels and was experimenting on grey paper.  Pastel intrigue me and I want to do more experimentation.  I wanted to express the night without overwhelming black.

It's always an adventure...

Rimi Restaurant, Nicosea, Cypress

Rimi Restaurant

Several years ago my wife's family were all invited to a wedding and wedding party in Nicosea, Island of Cypress.  A traditional Greek wedding and wedding week, full of parties.  At one of the luncheons, the bride negotiates with the proprieter just outside the restaurant while some 50 guests reveled inside.  WHAT a memorable time.  I have many photos which I will sort through and begin the process of putting to paper and canvas.

It's always an adventure...

Lapin Agile

The Lapin Agile

This is a small structure in Paris that still serves as a restaurant.  It was a favorite spot for artists in the 1870's during the rise of impressionism.  "The agile rabbit" translation on the gable.  The trees aren't dead.  This was in March of 1997 and the buds were just coming out.  They had been trimmed rather severely.

It's always an adventure...

Farm Pump

Farm Pump

I did this one really quickly from a photograph.  Again, it's a study for future work - haven't decided what medium just yet.

It's always an adventure...

Morning Farm

Morning Farm

I did this from a photo I had for a study for a future watercolor.  The light is coming from behind, making the hills in the background in some deep shadows.  the fence and its shadow make a sort of cool perspective, combining a one-point and two-point perspective in one drawing.

It's always an adventure...

Windmill

Windmill

I pulled this one out of the archives.  Did it sitting on the car fender one afternoon outside Salina, Kansas.

Roofs

Roofs

This is a study of rooms I did in charcoal back in 2004 from a photo.  I may do an oil study of it.  I've hesitated on the oil because I'm not sure how to effectively capture the texture of the tiles without exhaustive detail.  Something to work on.  Check back in - I may do a couple studies and put them up to look at.

It's always an adventure...

Minus 5 Degrees

Minus 5 Degrees

I'm taking a trip back to Kansas in a few weeks.  This reminds me of a sunset on a day with high clouds and a filtered sun that keeps its distance in respect to the grip of winter on the plains.  Cold.  Bitterly cold, even at the end of the short day.  Nothing has thawed for a week and the ground crunches.

It's always an adventure...