Where am I?

Where am I? The original plan was to draw from a photo of Pinnacles National Park. But as the painting progressed, the mountains came to look like those found around San Luis Obispo.

Hornbill

I haven't done a good job of posting lately. I'm trying to keep a visual record for myself, but it is still awkward to post a painting that looks silly. This sketch is of a great hornbill, taken by my friend, Paul Bronstein who faithfully sends me photos he takes while working as a docent at the zoo. This was a pretty quick sketch (about an hour). I like the black paper, but it doesn't hold the pastel too well.

Waiting the blade

I took a photo of this pile of pumpkins a couple of years ago. Yesterday I received some new pastel pencils in the mail so I took 'em on a test ride to the pumpkin patch. It was a joy to work with them. I'm anxious to try a landscape later this week.

Pumpkin Patch Produce

I drew a quick sketch this morning of a couple of pumpkins from the Avila Barn pumpkin patch, which my wife picked out as she bravely "enjoyed" a morning chaperoning a busload of kindergartners.

Georgia Marsh

This painting is done from a photograph taken by my daughter, Kelsey. It is of a wetland area on the island of Saint Simon, a small island off of the coast of Georgia.

A Couple of Pictures from South Dakota

Earlier this summer, my niece, Michelle, spent the summer working in South Dakota. She and the family she lived with hosted my wife and daughter for a short visit. I promised Michelle that I would paint a favorite picture of South Dakota for her. I ended up painting these two which I cleverly named: SD cabin and SD Lake (you have to figure out which is which).

Guacamole, Anyone?

This is a quick sketch done on black paper. I would like to say that after drawing this piece of fruit, I ate it; but, sad to say, I drew it from a photo.