Coptic Stitch

I finally finished my large sketchbook (10 x 11.5 inches). I have been afraid of doing the Coptic stitch and talked to my friend Stephen about it every time I saw him, I looked at videos and read directions over and over. I was so proud when I finished it I showed him and he gave me his stamp of approval.

The nice thing about the book is it is made from materials that were given to me by artist friends. Davey Board: Kathy Przekopp, Cover paper: Doris Bertch, Craft paper: Diane DeMers Chen, Watercolor paper: Jennise Ashley and Francesca Albini. Thank you friends. I also used gesso on some old watercolor paintings for paper.

San Pasqual Valley

This sketch was done at a sketchers house with the San Diego Weekend Sketchcawlers. Her home overlooks the San Pasqual Valley which is the northernmost community of the city of San Diego. It is named for the Kumeyaay village of San Pasqual that was once located there. 

Bug

Spanish Village, Balboa Park, San Diego

The weekday sketchers (aka the Rachel group) met at Spanish Village for some sketching. This is my sketch of the day.

 

 Built for the 1935-36 California-Pacific International Exposition, the Spanish Village Art Center now houses 35 working art studios in a charming setting that re-creates the feeling of a town square in Spain.

Figure Drawing at North park

A fun morning with Rachel, Stephen, Andy, and Leon at North Park.

Gray

Reconstructed Journal (a journal flip)

A sketchbook flip. I made this reconstructed journal with Stephen Sloan (instructor) at Studio Maureen & The Next Door Gallery. Journal dates from February thru April 2014. Video length 2:37 minutes.

 

Hanamatsuri at the Vista BuddhistTemple

Sketches from the Hanamatsuri Flower Festival Celebrating the Birth of the Buddha at the Vista Buddhist Temple in San Diego, California.

Japanese Classical Dancers, a Buddha and Taiko Drumming. There was a lot of movement which was a great exercise for sketching. Pencil and watercolor in a large watercolor moleskine.

Mission San Diego de Alcala

This is the watercolor sketch done at the Mission San Diego de Alcala today with the San Diego Urban Sketchers Meetup Group. This mission was the first of the 21 missions and is known as the Mother of Missions.

Toothache

The trip to North Park, San Diego

The trip to north park was just as fun as the figure drawing session. I got to see Stephen, Rachel, and Sami there. The model was Valerie.

I think that song was playing the last time I drove down there too.

Linda Giese in Art Journaling Magazine

My sketch buddy has a great article in Art Journaling Magazine Spring 2014 where she shares her travel journal and some art journaling tips.

Inez Grant Parker Memorial Rose Garden, Balboa Park

The Weekday Sketchers, (aka The Rachel Group) met at the Inez Grant Parker Memorial Rose Garden in Balboa Park this morning. The Inez Grant Parker Memorial Rose Garden displays approximately 2,500 roses of nearly 200 varieties on a three-acre site full of fragrance, color, and beauty. These are my sketch pages with the sketches. You can also view a 2 minute "Lydeo" of the morning here:

Robert Henri

The San Diego Zoo

My sketch from the zoo while on a meet up with the San Diego Urban Sketchers.

Life Drawing at North Park with Stephen

Posemaniacs and Journal entry

Oceanside Pier, San Diego, California

On a meetup with the San Diego Urban Sketchers I got to draw people in white gellyroll on black paper and use watercolor with pen and ink on watercolor board. These are my sketches:

Productivity Wheel

After reading an article, "How did famous creatives spend their day" I was curious how I spend my days. This is one of my productivity wheels in my sketchbook.

Leather Journal

This is the leather journal made from instructions in How to Make Books by Esther K. Smith. I wanted to make a closure but I didn't want to poke a hole in the leather so I made ties. I had cut up a purse a while back instead of giving it to Salvation Army. The fake leather was perfect for this journal project.

long stitch