dry creekbed

This was one of those days where I just had to get away to be alone, out in the woods with nature. Before going back to the truck to get my sketchbook, a small armadillo wandered up close to me, obliviously rooting for whatever it is they root for. Next, a line of 5 male turkeys comically filed past, also unaware of my presence. They looked like subserviant office workers dutifully heading off to work for the day. This sort of "oneness" with nature does help calm the soul. And, my souvenir is a few chigger bites.

after the storm

After the storm in the Mojave Desert, the sky lost it's thunder. The sky was like a blanket in the evening, covering the mountains for a much needed rest.

T-Shirt contest

Last month This American Life (Public Radio International) held a tee shirt design contest. This was my submission. After a month of Sundays, the final design was finally announced. http://thisamericanlife.org/

Not being the winner, I was slightly dissappointed, but it was a great challenge nevertheless. Kudos to Jon Shkiele for the chosen design! http://www.thefiresign.com/

Mojave Desert storm

Somewhere near Needles, California. On the roadtrip from Texas to Las Vegas, this was the furthest point west before heading north through the desert. The scenery was strange, the sky was spectacular.

Route 66

The final two of the set of four. The Palomino Motel is in Tucumcari, New Mexico. The Sun 'n Sand Motel is a few miles west in Santa Rosa, New Mexico.

Now it's on to painting the four of these...in color!

Route 66

Western Hills Motel is in Flagstaff, Arizona, the Turquoise Tepee is in Williams, Arizona. There are still remnants of the old Route 66. Hopefully corporate America will not pound their cookie cutter trademarks over every last one of these uniquely individual American icons.

Note: I just could not bring myself to put the actual wordage offering "WIFI, HBO and weekly special" on the Western Hills sign.

south of Santa Rosa, New Mexico

New Mexico, Land Of Enchantment. The motto on the state license plates is oh so true. As depicted in this slightly overworked sketch, the skies are always full of drama and excitement. The air always seems cleaner and clearer. Of the places I have visited, Hawaii has the same characteristics.

Santa Rosa is east of Albuquerque, on Route 40, still part of the old Route 66. North of here you quickly climb up into the Sangre de Christo Mountains close to Sante Fe.

miles and miles of Texas

Cowboys, crops, cattle, oil and gas. This is just about all you see for miles and miles in West Texas. This is somewhere near Levelland (appropriately named). There is also a fair amount of healthy looking banks in the area.

Back in 1957, there was a famous UFO sighting near Levelland. If you're hankerin' to learn more about it, go here: http://www.mysterious-america.net/levelland%2Ctx1957.html

Sing it Bob Wills!

Neon Albuquerque

As I posted on August 7th, this is a scuplture above the freeway in Albuquerque. On the return trip from Las Vegas, we drove past this sculpture in the dark, around 5:00 a.m. It was lit up, giving the desert mountain a neon glow. Remembering back, this had a dreamy, surrealistic feel.

I try not to mix Photoshop with art, but this seemed appropriate.