Morning Alley with Snow

A sketch done over a yummy latte at Brewberry's Espresso Royale this morning. This is a view out one of their windows.

Snow Alley, sketch in pastel and pastel pencils, 11 x 8", by Tracie Thompson

Greyhound Number Whatever (Upside Hound the Second)

Upside Hound the Second, carbon pencil and pastel on paper, about 7 x 11", by Tracie Thompson

Inspired by yesterday's adventures in barroom life-drawing, I picked up this drawing again today, strengthened some lines, added white pastel wherever I felt it was needed. Still a simple sketch, but a finished one now.

DR. SKETCHY IS SKETCHALICIOUS

Dr. Sketchy is here.

Truly, I can't recall the last time I was this loose and had this much fun while drawing. This was my first Dr. Sketchy and I can't wait for the next.

Queenie in pastel pencils & pastel on paper, 11 x 8", by Tracie Thompson

I had about 20 minutes each to complete these, and I was working while sitting on a barstool, and it was so much fun, letting go of the need for it to be perfect because there simply wasn't time. 

Queenie in watercolor/mixed media on paper, 8.5 x 11.5", by Tracie Thompson

I won, too! I got the Queenie's Favorite prize for the watercolor sketch. Queenie's a great model. Man, did I mention how much fun I had?

The Trick

Any of y'all ever feel like you're trying to do ... something like this?

Trick rider with Russell Bros. Circus, circa 1939, photographer and rider unknown

 Because I sure do.  A friend sent me the photo and I love it so much for what it means about life, to me.

Upside Hound (Greyhound Sketch from yesterday)

Upside Hound, pastel pencils and carbon pencil on paper, by Tracie Thompson, 7.5 x 10.5"

Indiana was kind enough to keep snoozing for a nice long time, belly-up, and I got this drawing of her. This  makes me smile every time I see it. Such pure, unabashed lounging! We should all enjoy life this much.

Available matted to fit a standard 12 x 16" frame, $45.

I will ship anywhere, love PayPal, and also accept checks and money orders.  Email me to arrange a purchase or ask questions; I'm friendly.

Going to the Doctor. Doctor Sketchy, that is!

DOCTOR SKETCHY'S ANTI-ART SCHOOL

Performance artist models, drawing, and beer. If it's half as much fun as it sounds ... well, I'll find out on Sunday!

Meanwhile, now that I have a working scanner ...

Bass Player at Patrick Kemal Pryor's art show, at the Woman's Club of Minneapolis. This is approximately actual size, done in my tiny Moleskine notebook, with ballpoint pen.

Study for Angel Number Six

The big 40 x 30" version of this is still in progress, and meanwhile, here's the 10 x 8" canvas I made as a preliminary study.

... and below, the big canvas as it currently is, on the easel. You can see it's becoming more complex; the size of it means it needs more things going on.

Night crossing

I was on my way home from the studio. Saw train. Had camera. Urge to play: irresistible.

Flower Drawings at Robbin Gallery

Opening Lilies #2, pastel pencils on paper, 9 x 7"

 I had a volunteer shift at Robbin Gallery on Tuesday night, for David Holmes' remarkable hyper-realist paintings. An astonishing show, I'd recommend seeing it if you can.

As usual, I took a sketch book with me, and to my delight I found a big bouquet of flowers I could work from. These two drawings are the result.

Opening Lilies #1, pastel pencils on paper, 9 x 7"

Available matted to fit a standard 14 x 11" frame, at $45 each or $79 for the set.

Warehouse Angel No. 6, In Progress

This is a 40 x 30" canvas on the easel, as it looked when I got to the studio last night.

And this is how it looked a few hours later. The working title is Down Among the Briars; the briars will become more visible as things progress.

Doggie in Progress

Paintings in their raw state (above) can look a bit frightening! This is an oil on panel, 12" square. Portrait of Bailey.  Below, my little working area in my apartment.

Walking in Saint Paul

I love this town, but this street name will probably always strike me as both funny and absurd. Really, St. Paul? Really?

I went down Ford Parkway all the way to the bridge, at which point my camera ... did the thing you see above. It seems to have collaged three shots into one, on its own, which is rather more creative license than I would like to give it.

The snow is melting a bit today, making tiny rivers and canyons stretching out from the corners of sidewalks.

A few more strides. Care to come along?

I need to get outside and walk. I need the movement, and to see the sky for a while, as I am wrestling with a kind of low-grade, motivation-sapping, stealth depression. Probably the result of the long, snowy winter.

So. I will be heading out as soon as I've had a bit of green tea to perk me up.

On returning, I'll post back here with whatever I've seen on the way. It will likely be small and mundane, but it'll be life, and life is good.

Anyone else want to join me, as it were? Get outside, walk a while, notice and remember things and bring them back here?