Paper and Threads

We spent more than 10 minutes slowly walking toward a gull eating a fish in order to take photos.  The ones I'm including here were taken by my friend Bunny.  Mine taken at the same time were either sky or sand because my camera doesn't have a view finder and my digital screen couldn't be seen in the sun.

The gull left once, and then returned, finally deciding to take the fish with him.

My Remaining Sketchbook Pages from Martha's Vineyard.  We fly home tonight and then leave for the Long Island beaches early tomorrow morning to be with with our children and grandchildren.  Can't wait!

Posted by Shirley at 3:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

We are visiting friends in Martha's Vineyard, which is a beautiful change in scenery.  The four of us met in 1969, and now many years later still visit and travel together. We took 2 beach walks already and the scene couldn't be more different than last week.  There are gorgeous rocks protruding up from the water and very firm sand for walking.  Collecting rocks replaces searching for shells.  Here are two photos showing the view as we walked.  My grand daughter Sydney and I collect heart shaped rocks, so I still have things to look for!

My sketchbook pages are done during the wonderful lazy afternoons at their home.  I'm working through a Craftsy class for painting flowers in watercolor, so that is part of my focus.  The cormorants were drawn from a photo taken with a zoom lens and then further enlarged on the computer.  They may be some of the same ones I painted here last summer. 

 The wind vane bird has 5 wings, but I only drew 3 - too complicated to add in the rest because they were constantly revolving!

Posted by Shirley at 11:56 AM | Permalink | Comments (5)

I am still doing my 100 Day Project (Daily Drawings From My Imagination).  Recent ones feature my Alien which developed during a Sketchbook Skool Child's Play homework assignment.  He is the star of the series and I am having fun playing with this concept.  Truthfully, I find other types of drawings from my imagination are still difficult.  But I have a whole new appreciation for the process of channeling a muse and creating something from nothing - almost unconsciously.  But my Alien and his girlfriend continue to explore, and in the process try understand the world around them.  I think they need names and would love some suggestions.   

Alien and Owl:  Is someone talking to me?

Alien and Shower:  Wonder what this knob does?

Alien and Flowers:  Can I eat this?

Alien and Hats:  I don't think any of these hats will fit me.

Aliens and Waiting:  What is supposed to happen?

Alien and Books:  What are those for and do they taste good?

Aliens and Cupcake:  I think those are bugs.

Posted by Shirley at 11:56 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

We are still at the beach, for the 7th annual beach visit with two other couples.  Our husbands met in 1965, so they are friends of 50 years!  We love early morning beach walks on these wonderful wide, and almost empty beaches (at that hour).  Two of us collect all sorts of things on the beach and we regularly see types of shells, and unknown marine life washed up which generates lots of questions and Google image searches.  Sometimes my friend Sara and I sketch at the beach.  Other times we wait until we're home and paint the landscape.  Here are two beach photos that I love and my 2 most recent landscape "at-home" sketchbook pages.

View From the Sunroom:

View at the End of the Pool: 

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These are two of the sketchbook pages that I did since our arrival at the beach. 

We have many little rabbits and one Mom running around the backyard.  I collect shells on the beach, but never saw a sand dollar before today.  Over the years I've taken many photos of the gulls for sketches, but today my friend gave me this great photo that she took for my drawing.

Posted by Shirley at 9:17 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)