not Perry Mason

 Courtroom dramas are nothing at all like "Perry Mason" television shows. The action is much slower and doesn't tie up neatly at the end of an hour. There are no surprises. Hamilton Burger doesn't object or get befuddled.

Actual courtroom dramas are slow. Each bit of evidence is explored and layered in testimony and exhibits. The pace is like watching paint dry. Oil paint. The kind that takes months.

Court time provided me with several days of sketching opportunities.

Besides the sketches, I took notes of what the judge and attorneys said at various points. It is now an illustrated record of an unpleasant experience.

A record with my own commentary and observations.

After all is said and done, I think I might enjoy sketching from "Perry Mason" videos. It would be much cheaper!

"Perry Mason." Full episodes are available on YouTube!

to be free

I found it along a worn path in my yard, this perfect bird nest. No broken eggs nearby let me hope that this nest was no longer needed and the chicks had flown to their own lives in trees nearby.

But the nest! The nest!  I carefully picked it up and brought it to the studio, where I could study it.

I sat it on a satin cloth and pulled my lamp over to light it. It was beautifully crafted from small sticks, moss, grass, feathers, and white dog hairs. Every piece of its construction was fitted together with the others in such a way that its form did not shake or shift as I moved it.

There are times when the hurry-scurry of life wraps me in a cloak of I'm-too-busy-to-stop-and-see. It seems that this cloak becomes a strait jacket of ever increasing immobility and distance from what touches my soul.

And then, I found the nest. Such a small object, and yet it touches me so deeply, I am left gasping for breath. The strait jacket falls away. And I am back. Trying, in my own way, to be free.

Leonard Cohen "Bird On the Wire."

dahlia bouquet, getting off the boat

ink on paper

My sketchbook is full of drawings as we begin to pack up at the end of our boating season. Here's one I did of a bouquet of dahlias my mother bought when she went ashore to a little farmer's market in Silverdale, Washington.

It's been a beautiful summer on the waters of the Pacific Northwest. In the three months we were aboard, we traveled 1071 miles, had 19 guests, and saw amazing heart-filling sights. Click on images to enlarge.

buttermilk sky in Olympia, WA

pink sunrise at McMicken Island, Washington

gray midday reflections in Hood Canal

Whether sunrise, midday, sunset, or night time under a blue moon, the light and water reflections begged to be noticed and attended.

sunset at Port Townsend, WA

Blue Moon over Admiralty Inlet

summer boating aboard M/V Flying Colors

Norah Jones "Summertime." Before we know it, it will be fall, so enjoy!

two if by sea

sketchbook on day of departure

It seems that just when I have started to hum along in the studio with a new process or idea, I am packing again for another trip. Part of me is frustrated by that interruption, but most of me is excited for new vistas and with them, new ideas.

Boat travel is different from road travel. I am much more careful to bring all of the supplies I think I want on the boat since finding an art supply store is harder to do. First of all, I have to find it on foot. I could call a cab, of course, but it's easier to bring it with me if I can.

Days before we leave home, I create long lists of things I want to bring. Clothes for about 21 days so that laundry isn't a big issue. Food for about 2 weeks (more for the big, bulky stuff). And then there's the art supplies. 

All of this stuff is packed into bins, hauled up to the boat, then hauled down the dock in carts. Next, it's all unloaded and stowed away on the boat. Did I remember everything I wrote on the lists? Don't kid yourself. It's a lot of work!

bins hauled down the ramp to the boat, unload, repeat 100x

 

If you knew you were going to be away from home for several months, how would you pack your art supplies? What would you take? What would you leave at home?

We'll see if I brought what I need (and want) as time unfolds. Honestly, as soon as we push away from the dock, I don't worry any more.

For now, I'm content with my 9" x 9" Aquabee Super Deluxe sketchbook and Sakura Gelly Roll pen. I was interested in the shapes of the land as they jutted out into the water along our route. 

looking back at the Capitol building in Olympia, WA

We're "hanging on the hook" as some nautical folks might say. Relaxing and resting from all of the work of getting underway. I hope it's a great adventure!

Last night I dreamed I was explaining to someone what it means to be an artist. "An artist is someone who has BIG IDEAS."

You know what? I think I just might be right!

inspiration by Dale Chihuly

I am easily and often inspired. Probably because I LIKE to be inspired and I am pretty much on the lookout for inspirational people and things. 

This week, I had the fortune to see a beautiful exhibit at the Museum of Glass in Tacoma, WA about the early work of Dale Chihuly. Not only did the exhibit show his early glass works, but it included some of his drawings. As soon as I saw this drawing below, I thought that I wanted to draw with a fist full of pencils. 

Since I am on the boat and only have the art supplies I brought with me, I made do with three artist pens. Awkward in my hand, I used them to do a series of gesture sketches of the passing sailboats. You most definitely aren't seeing double, or triple, it's the effect of multiple pens. 

 I am sorry I didn't buy the book, Chihuly Drawing when I was at the museum gift shop! Maybe I'll get it on the return trip.

I wonder if maybe the biggest predictor in being inspired by something or someone is my openness to being inspired. What do you think?

some kings come with balloons

"King of the Rock" was a game my sons played until they were off to college. Wherever we went, if there were rocks, they climbed to the top of the highest one, well, the highest one they were able to reach, and declared themselves "King."

Just last week I watched many little boys, and girls, attempt to climb a large rock in a park in Poulsbo, WA. Some teenagers didn't need help but quickly reached the top and then posed like rock stars. Younger kids pulled off rubber boots and jackets to gain purchase on the rock's irregular surface.

I only looked away for a short time, but when I looked back I saw this little guy, with his balloon. This little king came with a big, red balloon. I think he was the best king of all.


Simon and Garfunkle "I am a Rock."

sketches

At the zoo

The Living Desert is Palm Desert's zoo and botanical gardens attraction. Sunny and warm, in the high 80s, the sketching was still fun.

Sketching palm trees

Elegant Writer and water sketch

Ink and watercolor wash

Palms blowing in the wind

Only my sketchbook, pens, and watercolor field kit on this trip. Somehow the limitations of media provide an interesting challenge. I think that my sketches are improving. My thoughts about what to sketch are changing, too. 

Palm trees are everywhere in this desert community. The farmers market sells fresh dates (do you like dates?) and there are giant date farms outside the many bedroom communities. The trees have such a playful look to them, like Dr. Seuss characters with mischief on their minds.

Mom's team won their Bocci ball games today so they will go into the tournament games on Thursday. I have to say, I LOVE this stuff!! And the sunshine and heat are a delight.

Cattail Meditation, new project in development phase

photo credit: R.C. Clingman

cattail meditation

Tundra Swans

I have been thinking about a project centered on my favorite Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge. Enya's music always stirs me to think more, feel more, consider differently. The perfect accompaniment for a day of pondering a new project.