Millward Street - looking north (a day before the storm)

The streets of Jackson are most interesting for an artistic eye as there is always a cool background. In this scene Saddle Butte is most prominent and I've always found puzzling the contrast between its sensual shape and the very geometric lines of the parking lot.

Les rues de Jackson sont fort intéressantes pour un(e) artiste, car il y a toujours un fond différent. Sur cette vue, la Butte de la Selle est l'élément le plus large, et j'ai toujours trouvé curieux le contraste entre sa forme sensuelle et les lignes geometriques du parking.

The campground in town

I've always wanted to draw that scene and even take photos. There is something compelling about all these tables tilted in the snow, and there are dozens of them since it's in a camping, in town. It reminds me of a graveyard, yet the thought of it is comical since those are picnic tables. The light was lovely and driving by I decided to give this a shot. It might have fared better in watercolor, but I made the choice of using grayscale out of curiosity. Next time I'll try the other way.

J'ai toujours voulu dessiner cette scène et même en prendre des photos. Il y a quelque chose de fascinant dans ces tables penchées dans la neige, et il y en a des douzaines, puisque c'est un camping, en ville. Elles me font penser à un cimetière, et pourtant cette évocation est comique vu qu'il s'agit de tables de pique-nique. La lumiere était aussi jolie. Le résultat aurait pû être mieux à l'aquarelle, mais j'étais curieuse d'essayer dans les tons gris. La prochaine fois, ce sera en couleurs.

Cleaning and Sketching

It's the weekend and some go shred powder, but I had to stay home: I had been putting chores aside in favor of other more interesting things like sketching, and there was dog fuzz piled up on the sides of the corridor, not the most sightly, and it was time for it to go. Once done, I found the vacuum cleaner and mop fun to draw, as well as arranging them on a page. The bright light from outside also made shadows clearly defined. I love this kind of work, simple and clean lines, bright colors, much contrast. The vacuum cleaner is actually a light metallic gold, which was difficult to reproduce in watercolor. My version is much yellower, but I liked adding that pop of color.  Ok, now the house is clean, I'll go skate ski a bit under the sun.

At the base of Snow King

Windy today. I have to draw from the car, which is usually the case in winter. The chairlift is closed, and there are only a couple of skiers coming down. I do see 2 or 3 starting to climb up. It's a long way, but good exercise, and with a reward at the end. I prefer to be at the end of a brush.

The Elk Refuge

I love the simplicity of winter landscapes. It's an opportunity to let the mind wander and the hand to draw or paint in the most relaxed manner. Mixed clouds and sun, it makes for difficult shadows, so I do what I can. The field is a vibrant golden hue in the sun. Elk in the distance, mere dots, easy to draw!

Une auberge à Corrençon-en-Vercors (An inn in Corrençon)

En vacances dans les Alpes, et en famille, que je ne vois pas souvent. Je manque donc de temps car les journées sont emplies de marches en montagne, et longues distances à vélo. Mais j'ai pu trouver 2 heures pour dessiner et me balader dans le village voisin. Pas grand monde fin août.

Une petite fille et sa maman viennent voir ce que je fais, et la petite demande à sa mère si l'eau de mon aquarelle est un médicament. Sourires. Une autre petit fille s'approche, timide. Je lui souris, lui dis bonjour, elle se sauve vite, toute timide. Moments sympas.

Marlow's notebook

I have been meeting weekly with my long time friend Marlow and his sister Kayte at her studio, and we talk, he writes, she studies, and I draw. It's been fun doing this and it absolutely makes me want to sketch more. This quickly drawn sketch is Marlow's notebook. I asked him how old it was because he is one to make things last, not liking all that is disposable and new. Kudos to him. I have known a version of this notebook or another throughout the years and he uses it to jot down notes for his writing. I have always been fascinated by it: in such a small space it holds so many things people have said, so many things he saw, and so many ideas for inspiration. It's a world in its own.

White man

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Alan was doing some insulation work in the basement. Not fun, yet it was for me when I saw his outfit! He almost looked like he's working in a nuclear power plant. I loved the very white of his suit contrasting with the blue Nitrile gloves and begged him to pose for me. He obliged gracefully and I did this piece as fast as I could, focusing on the overall shape, noting the deep blue hue so that I could add color later. This was super fun, there is nothing like spontaneity when it comes to drawing.

Micron pen, watercolor.

Malik

That dog is hard to draw and I love this challenge. Whenever I catch him in a good pose, he never fails to move, there is always that itch... That teaches me to be fast and not think, just draw what I see. And then, he settles and lets me finish. I like the sort of oriental look of this piece.

Mousy day

Simple things to draw at home. I looked around, and that's what presented itself. Fine, no need to look for anything more complicated.

Ally's school

I was missing Ally today. I haven't seen her in a while, and I need to check with her grandma to make sure she's ok. I'd love to spend time with her this week. I was driving by, and decided to draw her school, while she was somewhere in there studying. I felt closer to her.

On Second Beach at China Beach, Vancouver Island

We're finally away from Victoria. Fun city but at small doses. We get to camp here for 2 nights and chill. It's great to be able to see far, yet the Olympic Peninsula is visible in the distance. We get to sun up, and I wish I could swim but the water is super cold. We see two sea lions in the water, pretty exciting: they are curious, peaking at us, with their funny head and round, black eyes. It's peaceful.

Malik

Malik remains my best subject to draw. He always presents a pose I haven't seen before, and even if I've seen it, it's always a new challenge to draw. His restlessness can be tough, but I found I like it as it makes me draw more dynamic lines. I find that time and again, unless he's really sleeping hard, which is rare. My artpen remains my favorite tool after having tried different ones. I love how I can do a quick wash and make it more interesting.

La basilique de St Just

Cette jolie basilique fut une découverte en arrivant dans le coin. J'y retournai plus tard pour la dessiner, d'un champ voisin. Lieu tranquille, serein, un beau souvenir. Ensuite, mangé une crêpe au village.

On the Triangle X ranch

I was invited by a friend to spend a night wine tasting at the Triangle X Ranch. Fun event, great food, great wine (didn't drink too much!), and had the chance to sketch some. Not easy with gloves but I managed. Lovely time over there, I'd love to do it again with Alan.

Malik's birthday

The note says it all. Glad the vet could do that, but not a fun $300 birthday present. I even kept the seed, put it in a clear pouch at the end of my journal. Expensive seed, not to be thrown away!

View from the Elk Refuge entrance

Spring is slowly trying to come, we have a long way to go. In search of a landscape, this entrance to the elk refuge appealed to me with its contrast of colors in sight. Had to stay in the car, not warm enough for fingers out yet.