Thanksgiving

One more Thanksgiving weekend has passed. Ours was great - lots of family, fun, laughter and noisy chaotic activity. We missed a few folks this year: my dad, brother and nephew, since dad wasn't able to make the trip. Lauren, Mike and the grandkids, who were with the other side of the family this year. Susan, Jim and their kids who had to stay in Wisconsin. We missed them all, as well as those - moms and dads alike - who can only be with us in our memories and our hearts.

Still, we have lots to be thankful for.  The best family you could hope to have, good health, terrific kids, wonderful food and wine, and much laughter. We are truly blessed.

This drawing by the way was my way of avoiding having to sketch a turkey. Or a tofurky. Besides, the food disappeared too quickly to draw it.

One Last Sketch

I promise this is the last sketch from Asilomar. There were too many beautiful places to draw. And I know that many look the same. But I needed the practice - rocks, ocean, sky.

But no more for now. I've officially returned to life in the landlocked Midwest.

More Asilomar sketches

A few more sketches from my wonderful weekend at Asilomar.  I decided that this gull is a friend of the one whose photo I posted earlier. I sketched this from a photo taken by another woman in our painting group.  He was none too happy about sharing his rock with her, and stared her down the entire time she was taking photos. I loved his expression, although I made him look more friendly than he actually was. 

The lighthouse is at Point Pinos, which is about 2 miles up the coast from the Asilomar conference center. It sits up on a hill overlooking the sea. It was somewhat overcast the day I sketched it,  so the beacon in the lighthouse was actually working that day.  

The last sketch is the walkway from the conference center to the beach. I can still sort of hear the ocean when I look at this. 

Many beautiful and happy memories of this weekend...

By the Sea

At long last, here are a few photos/sketches from a recent watercolor journaling weekend on the Pacific Coast. It was truly one of the most delightful trips I've ever had. I learned a lot, met great people and saw some of the most spectacular views anywhere.


Once I have more time, I'll post a few more sketches, including one of the little gull friend I made in the photo up top.  


There was so much beauty everywhere it was hard to know what to draw first. But I only had a weekend, so it forced me to focus.


More to come...