NEW DRAWING

Here is my latest drawing. Not sure what to call it yet. The horse belongs to a friend of mine and I can't remember what his name is. It's rather large - 17" x 20". The photo isn't great but you get the idea. I love drawing horses and I have some incredible reference photos, so I may do another one soon. But in the meantime I think I will do a few smaller drawings.

Western Screech Owl 9.5" x 10"

Ok so I was supposed to have this finished like, a month ago! I got a very big freelance design job in - which of course is paying my bills right now. I have also been busy experimenting with acrylics and epoxy coatings so I can mount my art and seal it without having to frame. I guess it's just for no other reason than a different look and an extra added touch. I started this drawing with powdered graphite, which I am still learning and experimenting with. I like the process a lot.

I think this piece still needs some work. It looks a little flat still. I will keep working, but I hadn't posted in so long I was feeling a bit guilty!

Latest work

Elephant 12.5" x 18"
I just finished this elephant drawing. I took this picture last time I was at the Reid Park Zoo, I wish I knew a little more about the elephant. I think I'll go back and find out more about him... or her. I thought it was going to take me forever but, actually wasn't too bad. It was fun! I love drawing new textures that I'm not used to doing, because it's always a nice learning process. You come out of it feeling like you learned something. I'm also working on an owl drawing that I used the powdered graphite ( turned to liquid) on. Hoping to get it done by the end of the weekend!

Lighthouse

For those of you who read the International Artist Magazine, you should recognize the name Harley Brown. I love his articles, in the back of every issue! He is amazing to say the least. For those of you who don't know who he is just google his name and look at some of the amazing art he creates. Well, in his last article he asked readers to do a pencil sketch of his last photo and I thought it sounded like fun. So here is my version of Harley's last photo.

I also used graphite powder mixed with water to do my background. I've been playing with it for a while and this was the first picture I completed using this technique. I still need to keep experimenting with it. It's a little hard to work with, not at all like watercolor, which I'm used to. Much harder to control. Maybe it's just that I don't know what the hell I'm doing yet.

I've already started another drawing with the graphite powder. I like the slightly looser look I'm getting with it, and hopefully if I keep using it I will actually figure out what I'm doing!!

Whisper

This is one of my latest drawings. I had done a commission for a friend, and this one was a little extra surprise for her. I knew I had to draw a close up of this horse, he is beautiful. I gave the drawings to her today, so it is safe to post.

on another note - I've been doing a little experimenting with powdered graphite and water washes. Just playing but I like the effect I'm getting. If I actually finish one I will post it.

Pow Wow @ San Xavier Mission

I don't care what anyone says, the southwest is beautiful!!! Having grown up in Massachusetts, for many years living in Arizona I took for granted the beauty around me. I just saw cactus and dirt, no ocean, no green trees, no fall leaves......just dirt! The longer I live here (almost 30 years now), the more beauty I see and would not change it for anything. The people and culture are unbelievable.

We spent the day at San Xavier Mission watching a Pow Wow and dance competition among many tribes. The Indian culture has always fascinated me. I want to learn as much as I can about it's people and culture. I wanted to share a few of the more than 850 photos I took today, many of which will turn into drawings I'm sure. Kind of makes me want to paint with all the gorgeous color though! Who knows maybe I will!

Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum Juried Art Show

My "Prickly Pear Bloom" drawing was accepted in the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum Juried Art Show, a Closer Look at Cactus & Succulents. I'm very excited about this because the Desert Museum is probably my all time favorite place. It is about 30 - 45 minutes away from my house, and I go there quite often. Every time I'm there I just feel to peaceful, like there isn't a care in the world, or anywhere else I would rather be. I love that feeling! Well I just wanted to share my good news. And, they used my drawing on the postcard, even better!! The show runs April 4 - June 7, 2009 at the Ironwood Gallery.