Foggy Foliage

I had to drive into town very early on a foggy morning last week. The low lying fog and beautiful fall foliage against the dark evergreens was very dramatic. I tried to capture it from memory today.

Contours

Nothing in the room inspired me while we were watching Sixty Minutes last night, so I drew this from a fashion magazine at hand. Contour drawings are relaxing, no worry about accuracy or creating anything special, just an opportunity to exercise the right side of the brain...

Ha! I'm certain that Vogue model did not have the hips I drew on her, maybe a bit of projection on my part?

October Virtual Sketch Date

I have company coming this weekend, so I'm posting my painting for the October Virtual Sketch Date early. This is the first time I've used rough paper and I really like the granulation.

Abstraction

I was looking through my bookshelf today for some art inspiration and came across the wonderful book, Lawrence Goldsmith: A Life in Watercolor. Goldsmith's use of color, calligraphic line and white space is exquisite. Sitting down with his book was a very good way to start my day. Here's more of Goldschmidt's art:

Imminent demise greatly exaggerated

A couple of weeks ago I predicted these flowers would soon be history. But this is the bouquet I picked today. What the heck do I know? Maybe they'll bloom all winter!

Muse in flight

If I ever had one, it seems to be gone now. It's Watercolor 101 at my house lately.

Or maybe this is just what happens when one neglects to draw or paint for days at a time.

3 a.m.

Insomnia
Cornelius Eady

You'll never sleep tonight.
Trains will betray you, cars confess
Their destinations.

Whether you like it
Or not.

They want more
Than to be in
Your dreams.

They want to tell you
A story.

They yammer all night and then
The birds take over,
Jeering as only
The well-rested can.


Not much of a resemblence, but it does depict how I feel, wandering around the house at 3 a.m. A bit deranged and very tired...

Almost finished...

After a week of very hot weather, rain and cooler temperatures are headed to Oregon. One night of freezing temperatures and these zinnias will be finished.

A very quick little study while I waited for dinner to finish cooking.

How difficult is it to name the newspapers/magazines YOU read?

I guess it would be a tough question if you didn't actually read any...

Last night on the CBS Evening News, host Katie Couric asked Sarah Palin which sources she relies on for her news consumption. Three separate times, Couric tried to elicit a response from Palin about which specific newspapers she reads. Seemingly caught off guard, Palin could not name a single news source:

COURIC: And when it comes to establishing your world view, I was curious, what newspapers and magazines did you regularly read before you were tapped for this — to stay informed and to understand the world?

PALIN: I’ve read most of them again with a great appreciation for the press, for the media —

COURIC: But what ones specifically? I’m curious.

PALIN: Um, all of them, any of them that have been in front of me over all these years.

COURIC: Can you name any of them?

PALIN: I have a vast variety of sources where we get our news.