Horizon

I just got back from a West Texas/Big Bend area trip with my family, and I've got a slew of photos taken from the back seat of a moving vehicle. There's some amazing landscape out there, and don't even get me started on the sunrises.

The Zoo

This week's Illustration Friday theme made good use of some sketches I did at the Austin Zoo a couple of weeks ago. However, I started experimenting with 140 lb hot press watercolor paper this week and discovered it's probably best for really thin washes. Ah, well.

Superstition

E.A.S.T.

This past weekend, I decided to get a full dose of what's going on in the local artworld (and get a look inside artists' studios and homes) at the annual East Austin Studio Tours. On Saturday, I ended up doing a lot of walking around the E. Cesar Chavez area studios. My favorite exhibition/installation was Jonathan Marshall's at the Art Palace. Maybe because I'm a narrative junkie, I loved the way all his pieces fit together (2D, 3D, film, audio, semi-participatory). I also really liked the abstract oils of Caroline Wright and Ava Sharifian. Fisterra Studio was the most fun home studio to visit; they had some really amazing iron sculpture going on in the garden and art on pretty much every surface of the house. On an unrelated note, I discovered Azul Cafe with its secret back garden area, only to learn that they're closing this week (photo below).

On Sunday, I drove to some of the studios further east (and less easy to walk from studio to studio). I really liked Catherine Hart's work and the Opal Black jewelry in the same studio was really gorgeous. I think the highlight of the day was visiting Ginko Studios. The pottery was really lovely and reminded me a little of Leo Lionni's illustrations. And I could spend all day wandering around the studio and gardens there. Overall, I came away from the weekend with some serious art, home, and garden inspiration.
Ginko studios.

Scale

A take on the folk tale of "The Golden Fish."

Hats

This illustration Friday topic reminded me of when my little sister used to dress her cat up and send him out into the neighborhood (probably why he became such a good fighter).

Watercolor sketches

So, I've been trying to paint more from life this week. Above is from a class field trip (UT informal "Watercolor II") to do some night plein air painting of fountains and skylines. Below: an afternoon snack turns study.

A Cardinal's Breakfast

Double Wedding Ring Quilt

Juggle

Visitors

The cedar waxwings pass through my yard every winter in large, noisy, berry-loving groups, but sometimes they sneak up on me...I'll look up and see dozens of silent masked birds just staring down at me. Below is a closeup.

Captain

Ah, crusty old sea captain.

Mention on Roadside Scholar

I'm a little behind the times, but the roadside scholar included a nice post about my illustration blog and website a couple of weeks ago (thanks!). Plus, her site is a fun place to visit for design-lovers.

Last week's sketchbook

Zinnias and Zyliss

I couldn't resist these zinnias at this morning's farmers market. And apparently, cats can't resist Zyliss salad spinners...or at least the boxes that they come in.

Moon

Poem

So, the first thing I thought of for this topic was T.S. Eliot's Prufrock, all that wonderful imagery and neuroses.

Rejection

Ah, rejection. A little bit is healthy, but there's always a certain amount of pain involved. As for this illustration, I haven't decided whether this version w/color or the original sketch is better (click on image to see both on flickr).

Suit

In the Garden

So, lately my garden has been part muse and part distraction. Who can illustrate when vegetables are growing before my very eyes? (The cherry tomatoes came up from unfinished compost...how great is that? I figured standard grocery store produce wouldn't reproduce from seed.)


The flowers in the front are out of control, having their very own fiesta (many without asking permission).

Citrus

Neighbor

Polar

Fortune

Beware the red-headed fortuneteller who seems a bit too interested.

Green

I saw a snowy egret fishing in the creek this morning, and I had to try to capture the moment...that is, the moment right before my dog chased him off.

I Spy

First mate Finchhatton tried his best to bring their problem to the captain's attention.

Total Control

Wired

Hide

Gravity