Popcorn

2.5"x3.5", artcard

Drawing with a pencil feels natural to me. Can't get more basic than a pencil and a piece of paper. It's the first thing they give you in kindergarten and it's the first thing I reach for when I feel the need to create. :) This is a very small drawing of my first harvested purple popcorn that I grew in my front yard. It might be the only ear that I get this season and although it's really tiny, it's a pretty one, isn't it? I'm drying it right now and maybe in a few weeks, I'll pop it. That will be an adventure!

After the rain ...

Thanks for stopping by folks! I finally have a post after what seems like FOREVER! :) 

Last piece

I've been savoring my last pieces of Godiva chocolate that my friends Leon and sweet Sunshine sent me. Yummm, creamy dark chocolate! This is the very last piece of my stash and while I held off biting off pieces so I could draw it, it is now safely tucked away in my belly. LOL

Pupster

Just a quick Saturday morning sketch of my friend's pup. I love his shape ... such a cute, compact dog that followed me around when I was at her house. I hope she recognizes him. :)

I'm baaaaack! (Everyday Matters #122: Something where shade is prominent)

Ah, I've missed the smell of a newly sharpened pencil! It felt so good to have a pencil in my hand the past couple days! Drawing this plant from my front yard has done wonders for my spirit and disposition. Goodness knows what the name is tho' ... but I'm pretty sure it is in the spurge family (Euphorbiaceae). In times like this, a botany degree comes in handy. It's good to be back folks! I look forward to continuing and completing my 21-day creative drawing challenge!

Day 12 of 21: Boy's Day doll

We've had this Japanese warrior doll in our family for as long as I can remember. It's usually set out on Boy's Day, which falls on May 5th every year. It's supposed to teach boys about strength and ward off evil. I dunno, with a warrior outfit like that, a boy would HAVE to be pretty strong to fend off other boys who just wanna kick his butt.

Hippos in graphite

Finally, a post after over a week! Thanks everyone for being so patient and many hugs to those who have sent me emails wondering if I'm okay. I've been out of commission ... sick with the flu with barely enough energy for my "real" job! But, I'm healthy and happy now and aching to draw! After the hiatus, putting pencil to paper felt like quenching an intolerable thirst with an ice cold Corona ... with a lime twist!

Special thanks to Ali Stewart from Scotland who graciously allowed me to use a photo from his amazing collection. Thanks Ali!

R for Rain ... and Reprieve

We got a reprieve from the rain today long enough to draw some rain drops still clinging to leaves of my Surinam cherry plant. I drew this with a 2B and 6B Faber-Castell graphite pencil on Strathmore Bristol Vellum paper.

Microcosm

Like a rain forest that is comprised of multiple vegetative layers, each comprising its own microcosm, so does my purse. (And yes, I'm a biologist so bear with me :) ). I've removed the "canopy layer" of papers and wallet to reveal my "subcanopy" of a mix of half-used gift cards, prescriptions, keys, cell phone, nail file, and compact. Oh, in case you're wondering, the groundcover ... the stuff at the very bottom that never sees the light of day ... is comprised of loose coins, a couple paperclips, and bits of paper. Fortunately, nothing too exciting. A woman's purse is very revealing, don't you think?

Fern fiddlehead

I spent the day botanizing with friends in the wet forest on the north part of the island. I forgot how fun it is to take the time to appreciate the incredible flora we have here. This is a little pencil sketch of a fern fiddlehead that I saw today. It reminded me of an alien.

Mokuleia tribute

When I lived on Oahu, I used to drive home after work, pick up my pup, and drive out to this beach in Mokuleia on the North Shore and swim until the sun set. After being totally exhausted and covered in salt water and sand, she and I would head to Pizza Bobs and share a veggie pizza in the car (sans onions). I have fond memories of wolfing down the pizza as the car windows steamed up.

This is a very quick sketch of our swimming area that I revisited this past weekend. It was a nice spot to sit and reflect and pay tribute to a dog that loved pizza and the ocean as much as I did. Here is a pic of her with a coconut she found floating in the water.

EDM Challenge #56 - Self portrait

I am taking Anita Davis' advice to share a self portrait, even if it's far from what I'd like it to be. As she says "Art never becomes boring, always a challenge, always something to learn, something to push for." If you get a chance, check out her post. That post in particular really hit home for me.

This is what I sort of look like, if I lost the weight I'd like to lose. LOL. I guess I see myself skinnier than I really am. It's funny how that works, isn't it? I am not attempting any sort of creative piece here ... just trying to figure out what I really look like.

Bag of my sketching supplies

Admittedly and embarassingly, I usually carry my sketch supplies in a ziploc bag. Just a couple pencils, a few pens, an eraser, a pencil sharpener and some postcard sized stock that fit nicely in a quart-sized bag and being clear, I can find everything I need. Of course, I run the risk of looking like an art nerd ... a ziploc bag is sort of the equivalent to pocket protectors, don't you think? Since I knew I would be out in public this afternoon, I stuffed my things in a cloth bag, which served its purpose very well. I even had room for my watercolor supplies! I think this bag will do from now on. :)