Urban Sketching on Wishon Avenue

My wife took part in a tennis tournament today, but had a couple hours between matches, so I went down the street to look for something to draw down on Wishon and found this place. The day was warm in the sun, but downright cold in the shade. After the tennis we headed over to Jack's Urban Eats to celebrate her accomplishment to keep up with those high school girls on the court.

Fresno Fire Department

Today the Fresno Fire Department visited our school and the kindergarten class got to jump into the fire truck and shoot water from the big fire hose. The kids loved the experience and it took me back many years to when my own kids visited the fire departments at that age.

Oroville Dam Report

We live in an interesting time when everyone can be a reporter. Today while I was looking for information about the Oroville Dam, I found this guy named Juan Browne, an American Airlines pilot who just went down to the Grass Valley Union and got himself a press pass so that he could drive up the dam and interview the folks up there. He then did his own news show with his cell phone, talking about the condition of the dam and the likelihood of it overflowing and causing major damage.

Italia late afternoon

A three day weekend, again. It can't be any better. Working with the sepia lines with some subdued color today, dreaming of days gone by, traveling, lingering in places like this. Those days seem far away now, but you just never, never know. In the meantime, there are adventures to be had right where we are; and if you dare imagine, the adventures may even exceed the past.

India Ink High

I'm exhausted again, like so many Fridays. I can barely keep my eyes open. All I can think about is going to bed. And then I remember the bottle of Bombay India ink and the dip pen. Before I know it, it's one o'clock in the morning. I love this sepia ink, and it washes on, mixed up with some watercolor. Too much fun. This has been a hard year for me in many ways, but drawing and sketching have been a enormous gift, giving me a break from the stress and allowing me to just enjoy what's in front of me. I'm looking forward to more of this medium.

Bombay India ink

On the way home from work I picked up some Bombay India ink (sepia) and a couple fountain dip pens. I wasn't sure if the India ink would smear with the watercolor I added later, and it seemed to have no trouble at all. Part of the reason could be the paper I use. I like using the dip pen very much, as the nib makes very fine lines if I want, and I love the scratching on the paper. Nice experience all the way.

The Bridge Fresno

I woke up sick today, so my family went to church without me. I stayed home and sketched our church from a photo I had taken when the trees still had color. Here is where we were married 26 years ago, and here we call home, being with those we call family.

Riverpark Fresno

Canadian Mountie

Carrie working

The problem with being married to a sketcher is that you never know when your spouse is going to attempt to draw you. My poor wife happened to be sitting upstairs on her laptop, which gave me time to sketch her before supper. She often sits here and works, so this is a typical sight for me at home.

Sketch Video #36

I haven't made a sketch video in quite a while, so I thought I'd put something together yesterday. This was a real quickie, but it was fun to get back out there and do my thing. This time I grabbed an Arches hot press pad and just tried to put off my perfectionistic tendencies and have fun. The weather is great for urban sketching right now, and downtown Fresno has quite a few interesting things to draw if you look around.

Urban Sketching in Fresno

I finally worked on a new sketch video today, and this is the sketch.  Hopefully the video will work out, but I'm hitting some snags this time around.

Monet on his way

The rain just keeps coming and today's sky was out of this world. They say most of the water is flowing out to sea, but I don't see any reason to be pessimistic. Politics are on everyone's mind and everyone seems to have a strong opinion. I think everyone needs to just chill out. What's done is done and God's on the big throne anyway. In between the rains, my wife and I got out and had a couple rounds of tennis. My daughter is taking her third art class and her talent is remarkable. She's looking into masters programs. My son is getting excited about heading off to college. Change is afoot. A good time to lean into God and take time to enjoy all that is going on.