Faces in the Woods

Even though I walk the same paths through the woods to Lake Michigan almost daily, a couple days ago I saw these "faces in the woods" for the first time.  Yes, I think my sanity is still in tact - though I can imagine a good thriller or fantasy story in it all.  I couldn't help but sketch a few.  Who knows what will become of these characters.  You should try it yourself - it really is entertaining!

 A little nervous

Gangsta

Whiney girl

Something to say

Pontificating

Jimmi

Lake Michigan

A few of the 4x6 sketches I made last night.  I like the small size, quick lines and subtle colors that give the feel of the being on the beach on a quiet day.

Schlitz Field

Lake Michigan North

Lake Michigan South

Someday

Amaryllis

I post this humbly but with hope, I have a long way to go.  Can't wait until I can say this is it.

Curious Girl

Years ago I would find buttons and then design and sew a new blouse.  These are much the same, the character just flowed out of my hands and my mind has yet to find her story -  though she definitely has one.  I really enjoy the drawings though my watercolor technique needs practice.   That is what this is all about isn't it?

Surprise

Fireflies

Bookworm

Herpetologist

Butterfly

Afloat (inspired by a similar drawing by Paola Zakimi)

Blueberries

Crayfish

Buzz

Katydid

French Girl

Last night I wanted to practice faces.   This one came out of nowhere, but looks alot like an exchange student we hosted five years ago.  Don't you wonder where these things come from?

Katydid

First Drawings

Inspired by a mystery sound in the night this past September, a high school friend and I are working on a children's book.  Thanks Ian and thanks Sheila - you got me going.

Catching Flakes

Guess How Much....

As a gift to my youngest (and myself?) I painted pictures from his story books while he napped.  This one is my favorite...from Guess How Much I Love You? Written by Sam McBratney and Illustrated by Anita Jeram.

Home Art

Below are three watercolors I painted for my bedroom wall.   I was thinking of the view of rivers from the air.  The paintings matched my flannel sheets - the sheets wore out but the paintings still bring sweet dreams.

This is the mural I painted on my sons bedroom wall - it was inspired by a Rie Munoz print.  My son helped paint the berries - he was just three years old!

While They Were Sleeping

Other then crayons and markers, I didn't draw much in the last two decades.  The exception was when we would venture to the cabin or when the babies were sleeping.

Botanical Treasure Hunt

Along with raising children and being widowed at thirty five, my life's greatest adventure was studying the disjunct arctic plants on the Suzie Island Archipelago as a young biologist.  Somehow, I dared across the waters of Lake Superior in a canoe or convinced Deep Portage trout fishermen to give me a ride.  I only got stranded once that summer.  In addition to spending time in what I still think is the most beautiful place in the world, I got to live a botanical treasure hunt.  These are a few of the drawings of the prizes.

Biological Illustrations

These are some of the pen and ink sketches I did for Ecologist Rolfe Leary for a conference presentation - in the pre-computer days when such things were all done by hand.  As labeled, ancient history.

Notecards

Lost in Orange

I started out majoring in Biology and Art in college, but found each took all of me so I dropped the later after my sophomore year.   I loved to draw, explore color and paint in watercolor and acrylic.  This is one of my favorites - one in a series in which I was exploring the relationship between shape and color.