A Starbucks Sketch

When all else fails, paint a coffee cup. It's easy and cups are generally available. This is a loose sketch of a very familiar type-- a Starbucks cup. This is a reminder to me of all the Starbucks shops I have had coffee in around the country and the world. I enjoy going into any Starbucks to smell and enjoy the coffee. Ink and watercolor.

Tug Boat Heading Home

Tug boat number 11 heads back into the harbor under cloudy skies. I was sketching tug boats one day and expanded on this one to include a cold, stormy day. Ink and watercolor.

A Spring Oak

This huge oak tree basks in the sunlight after a late spring rain storm. The air was clear, the temperature was still cool but this oak looked like it was reborn. The suns rays made great highlights on this tree. Huge, colorful and fresh, this majestic wonder of nature is saying "bring on the summer".
I drew the basic tree after a class one Sunday during some quiet, idle time. I took some photos and used those as reference material to add more detailed leaves, bark and shadow at a later time. Ink and watercolor.

Major Heat

I exhibited at a shopping center on July 18 as part of a consignment store grand opening. Except for the morning hours, there were not many people out shopping that day because of the MAJOR HEAT--about 105 degrees in Lincoln. While I exhibited (in the shade), I sketched and painted some images from my Watercolor Journeys book by Richard Schilling. The long day gave me some sketch time and the few shoppers seemed to enjoy watching some one draw and paint. Ink and watercolor.

And Here's Terry

After more than two years of doing my blog, I feel I know many of you. I have seen some your images so I know how you look. But, I do not think anyone knows me so I am introducing myself.

My self portrait was prompted by David Lobenberg who has a Self Portrait Global Love In Challenge going on. So I entered my image. Check out his site and enter your portrait.

Doing portraits is very difficult. This likeness was achieved after several attempts. Looks close enough. Of course, I omitted sun spots, and probably left too much dark in my hair. I did include wrinkles. If you saw me passing you on the street you would probably recognize me. Let me know if you have seen me walking around your neighborhood or in a local mall. Ink and watercolor.

Last Of The Tulips

These Easter tulips were a gift for my wife. A day before Easter the flowers were barely budding and all that was showing was a bit of light orange bud tips. Five days after Easter, the tulips were exploding with color and had expanded to these open flowers. I sketched these as a memory to some beautiful flowers that are now just a memory. Ink and watercolor.

Desert Fence

Vivid colors show a desert just after a rainstorm. A broken fence litters the shrubs and rocks giving us a reminder there once was some live stock housed in the area. I used bolder ink lines in this painting but I think now--too bold. Ink and watercolor.

Ringed Kingfisher

My colorful Kingfisher has a mean look as it searches the landscape for food and for any of his enemies. This is one of nearly 90 species. This one is found in southeast Texas in the USA, Central and South America. I love the color, the white ring around its neck and the large head.

Bird experts may say this painting is not exactly perfect, but for my art purposes it looks close enough to be a Kingfisher. Ink and watercolor.

The Old Milk Farm

Along Interstate 80 is the remnant of a site that served many a traveler in years past. When we would travel toward San Francisco, we always stopped at the Milk Farm, a fantastic bustling restaurant with great food and huge milk shakes. The restaurant disappeared long ago and the lone signage is all that remains.

As I returned from dropping my grandson off in Vacaville with his mother, I had time to stop on the isolated frontage road to sketch and take photos of this ghostly sign. Many of you in northern California will recognize this as you travel between Sacramento and San Francisco near Dixon. SOLD

The Hollow Beneath

This old arched bridge provides a quiet hollow with shade beneath it. The stream bed is dry and there is only quiet and shadows for the birds and other little critters. Watercolor pencil, 4" x 6".

Cassin Finch Chirping

Birds are chirping around our home as if they were saying they are happy summer is upon us. One of my favorite birds is this colorful little Cassin Finch. Entire families of finches seem to be all over the place only occasionally chased away by ornery Scrub Jays and Robins. I painted this little guy or lady because it is so happy and loaded with color. Ink and watercolor.

Hotel Del Coronado Beach

A beach side view of the Hotel Del Coronado in the San Diego area. This view is not the one we normally see when we see this famous hotel. This original painting was given to our long time friends Jerry and Ellen Halamuda who live in Poway near San Diego. Ink and watercolor.

Flower Fields

Poppies, blue flowers and fresh grasses make up this shaky little image. This was done on location in northern California while sneezing, sniffling and rubbing my itchy eyes during a warm day in May. I was a little uncomfortable while doing this so it was not exactly fun. The scene was just too nice to pass up. The blue, green and orange hues made me stay to draw and paint. Ink and watercolor.