Day 7: Smilax melastomifolia (hoi kuahiwi)

Just a quickie of a hoi kuahiwi plant I bought at the Volcano Farmer's Market. I can't wait to plant it in my yard, which is really just a part of a native Hawaiian wet forest. :). One thing nice about our Hawaiian greenbriar is that it doesn't have thorns! Over the course of time, the thorny ancestor that arrived in the islands eventually lost its thorns in the absence of large herbivores. That's why a lot of folks call our Hawaiian forests "benign". We don't have the prickly and poisonous vegetation found elsewhere ... unless they're recent introductions.

Can't wait to color this drawing!

Day 6: Sole pepper

Here is my thought on green peppers: They are the ugly ducklings of the vegetable world. Leave them on the bush, wait a long while and the boring pepper will eventually turn into a luscious red, sweet, and rather expensive pepper worthy of the prettiest salad.

This sweet red pepper is destined for the dinner plate!

Harley for Harold

This is for my new mechanic, Harold, who replaced my radiator for ONLY $60, which included three trips to the house and a 45-minute trip to Hilo for parts! This is his dog Harley, who's a grown dog now but just as adorable. I hope Harold likes his surprise. :)

Day 5: Kiholo

Kiholo Bay, on Hawaii Island has got to be one of the most beautiful stretches of black pebble beach that I know. Aqua water, blue skies, green coconut palms ... heaven! When I'm stressed, this is where I lie on the beach if only in my mind's eye, warmed by the black smooth pebbles.

Day 4: Grapefruit

Insomnia is great for my drawing commitments! I'm on day 4 of 75 of my sketch challenge and I'm finding my joy again.

Day 3: Dashy Boy

Day 3: Little Dash is over for a sleepover! 

Day 2: Impatiens

Impatiens growing outside my back door. Such delicate flowers, aren't they?

This is my Day 2 of the 75-day pen and ink sketch challenge started by Brenda Swenson. When I finish, Brenda will send me an "artistic license." :) Goodness knows I truly need one!

Day 1: Marmalade

1:00 am. Can't sleep. Must draw.

As you can see, I haven't picked up a pencil or pen in ages. Work does that sometimes and I find myself a ball of nerves and stressed, forgetting what is most important in life: expressing creativity, being with friends, laughter, love ... all those good stuff that makes every day worthwhile. Like a little light of hope, Serena Lewis posted her pen drawings as part of a 75-day sketching challenge on Facebook. She reminded me that despite the challenges of every day life, we need to make time for the things that fulfill us. So, I dusted off my sketchbook and found my favorite Pigma micron pen and sketched away. I feel a bit rusty at drawing and my proportions may be a bit kapukahi but on the other hand, I did find my smile. :)

Sharpie, watercolor, postcard size

A fun challenge to do something different for Julia Kay's Portrait Party. This is Anders Musta and his JKPP discussion thread is here.

For Asta

Prisma micron .005 pen, watercolor, postcard

For Asta, who threw me the most incredible birthday party anyone could ask for! Food, Friends, Fellowship, Fancy Homemade German Chocolate Cake, Fairy Lights, and Freaking Fun Glow Lights! It's a birthday I cherish!

Thank you card for the Perry's

Pigma micron .05, sharpie, postcard

Just a little thank you to my friends for a wonderful birthday ...

A new portrait for JKPP: Steven (sketchysteven)

watercolor on illustration board, 2.5"x3.5" ($40 USD)

This was a fun one! Got back into drawing and tried my hand at another portrait for Julia Kay Portrait Party. Steve provided this awesome reference pic.