Wednesday, December 31, 2008

burrowing armadillo


If you stand still for more than 30 seconds in the woods, you can hear the loud rustling of leaves. I watched this armadillo zigzag past me with no knowledge of my presence. When I walked towards him, he finally heard me and quickly dug himself under a pile of leaves. Apparently their brains are tiny, he was really noisy even while hidden. He came out of hiding, then loudly buried himself again. They are comical little creatures.

Tuesday, December 30, 2008

pasture grasses



I went for a walk in the woods with the intention of sketching. For the first time I noticed the wonderful design of these curly bladed grasses. They were too interesting to pass up. I should remember to look at them again in the summer when they are green and alive.

Monday, December 29, 2008

Blanco River cabin


Bamboo is threatening to overtake this tiny cabin. Bamboo spreads by its voracious roots that are very difficult to control. Sketched at the Rio Bonito River Resort on the Blanco River in Wimberley, Texas.

Friday, December 26, 2008

let it snow!


A quick sketch from a miniature snow globe. Colored with Photoshop.

cheesecake


Schilo's German restaurant and deli. When in San Antonio, this is my favorite place to eat. An old-time diner with wooden booths and a long deli counter add to the nice, friendly atmosphere. They have the best weinersnitchel anywhere around (parts of Texas were settled by large populations of German and Czech immagrants).

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

line drawing


This is the evolution of an idea that came about a couple of months ago.

black and white version


Tuesday, December 23, 2008

desire


Watercolor, guasche, and ink

Thursday, December 18, 2008

San Antonio souvenir shop window



This window display stopped me in my tracks. This is where old, lost souvenirs go for one last display. The lighthouse salt and pepper shakers are 150 miles too far north. I personally don't associate San Antonio with John Deere tractors and deer with rifles. Plastic ponies and ceramic cowboy boots...okay. Odes to armadillos and chili pepper strings of lights...perfect, Lil' Sherriff!

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

overcrowded neighborhood


This was done for the fun of it. I should be doing more important things, but today is my birthday (45th), so I'll make up for it tomorrow.

The Riverwalk, San Antonio, Texas


An old pedestrian bridge over the San Antonio river. From what I read while browsing giftshops, the Riverwalk began construction in the year 1900. I didn't quite get the mossy patina in the lines here, but this is a nice rustic old bridge. The Riverwalk is a beautiful place to wander around. Also, for those who love to location sketch, San Antonio is full of places to sit with chairs AND tables!

Sunday, December 14, 2008

the Alamo


A window on the backside of the building. San Antonio, Texas

Saturday, December 13, 2008

late night conference


Sketched while working as PowerPoint Graphics Girl at a medical conference in San Antonio. This was a dinner meeting, with doctors from around the world. Most had traveled that day, everyone looked very tired. I am not a night person, so this is not my best time of day. Thank you moleskine for helping to stay awake.

Thursday, December 11, 2008

parked under trees


Looking up in a pickup truck. This was a challenge to sketch. I felt very dyslexic...upsidedown became backwards.

Monday, December 8, 2008

The dinner roll


I know this is ridiculously obsessive, and not all the great, but I had to post it anyway. It's another experiment with lines.

giant aloe vera


With nine months a climate with temperatures between 95 to 105 degrees, plants such as the aloe vera thrive in the sun and heat. During the winter with temperatures well below freezing, plants such as these are vulnerable to dying without human intervention.

Saturday, December 6, 2008

abandoned summer


This swimming area is crowded in the summer. Looks like there are no visitors in December.

Friday, December 5, 2008

conference call art



I really need to draw during long phone calls.

the edge of the woods



This was sketched with none of the usual wavy lines. It was a great challenge.

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Cypress Creek bridge


Wimberley, Texas. The late afternoon sun made it difficult to sketch this, so I added a sun flare. If you can't beat it, add it.

Monday, December 1, 2008

the dingleberry fish


I have a small, fish shaped vase with small sunflower in it. I started to draw them, and came up with this instead.