Found Objects

I've heard of people leaving their nasty dirty gloves and masks all over the parking lots and streets but I have never encountered any until today. I also got to find several painted rocks along my walking route. It was a pleasure to see these little pieces of art placed on walls, utility boxes and propped up in the dirt. I have a few artist friends that place these around town and I have always wanted to find one. I didn't take any home but left them for others to enjoy. 

#100daysofsketchbookentries

#the100dayproject This gouache was done from a reference photo taken yesterday at Lake Hodges. I painted it in my homemade sketchbook.

Main Street, Vista Village with San Diego Urban Sketchers

This sketch was created on location on Main Street in Vista, CA. The location of the San Diego Urban Sketchers event on Sunday. The area has many outside sculptures and murals to enjoy. The first minute of this video shows the artists and their work and the second minute shows the street art. Enjoy!

Urban Sketching in Old Town San Diego

The San Diego Urban Sketchers met on the corner of Twiggs Avenue and San Diego Avenue in Old Town to sketch and welcome 2 out of town sketchers. We had Urban Sketchers from France and New York join us for the morning. Making friends around the world is one of the benefits of urban sketching.

Lydia Velarde Sketchbook Flip - Homemade Book Sept. - Nov. 2018

This book was made in a workshop at the Mingei Art Museum in San Diego. I used the papers they gave us which was from various promotional material and stationery. It created a challenge with watercolor. I gessoed some of the pages and used various media in this book.

Flowers in Gouache

In the past, I have not been too fond of painting flowers but I have this lovely still life on my kitchen table and have taken on the challenge. This time I focused in on a section that had high contrast. Using its' negative shapes to create the little flowers. Painted in Gouache.

Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, Albuquerque, New Mexico

I have been working on daily painting since attending the Plein Air Convention. This Daler-Rowney Sketchbook is 11 x 14 and a little too large to carry around as a constant companion so I have been working from photos until I fill it up. I have taken notes each time I sketch so I can learn from my exercises instead of just daily painting. So far I have worked on using more pigment, making better drawings before painting, and keeping up my momentum and enthusiasm until I am done with the sketch.

Quotes from the Minimalists Podcast

"Sometimes we have to say no to things so that we can say yes to others." Remembering to tackle one task at a time is something I am constantly trying to practice because I get distracted so easily!

These are 2 quotes I jotted down while listening to a Minimalists Podcast. I am sure the faces are from my Orly Avineri influence since I took a "Facial Expressions" workshop from her this weekend.

Facial Expressions Workshop with Orly Avineri

This weekend I got to attend a 3-day workshop given by Orly Avineri. The title, Facial Expressions intrigued me because I had taken one from her a few years ago where we made a little book of faces, and I loved it. Orly's workshops are more than "how to" we become an engaged, open group of creators. Each spread has a personal meaning that I cannot put into words. These journal pages are not just pieces of art but bits and pieces of an experience.