Tiny Periwinkle, Begonia, and Sailboat

All from the last week, all 5.5 x 3.5", in my Tiny Moleskine Sketchbook. The Periwinkle is in my grandma's back yard in Florida.

Red Begonia in Orono. Drawn while awaiting the arrival of someone who got Mapquested. That is -- she used Mapquest and it did to her what it has more than once done to me. Having my sketch book means I get to be happy and creative rather than impatient, and I love that about it.

Distant Little Sailboat, Hudson. It is possible, I suppose, that it's bad manners to sit outdoors at a restaurant and spread one's watercolor kit on the table to sketch, but I don't regret it, and our server was kind of intrigued to watch what was happening. Also I tip well, so I'm sure that helps.

Watercolor Flowers, and a Bird that's a Bird, this time

These small flowers are so popular that I plan to make note cards out of them.

Courtyard Sparrow, about 5.5 x 8", pen and watercolor

 All three of these are from the J&S Bean Factory coffeehouse today, done while I sat in their pretty back patio area. The flowers kindly sat still for me; the birds didn't, and I sketched this little fellow as best I could from memory.

The flowers are something like 3" x 2.5" each, quite small. I'll sell either of them for $15; $25 for the set of two. 

Poppies

 

I want to be good, and write something worth reading. Unfortunately I am too much in need of coffee for that. I'll attempt semi-eloquence again later, I suppose.

Irises Drawing, Highland Park Irises

Highland Park Irises, pen and watercolor, about 11 x 12"

After the overcast day, late afternoon here was beautiful, and I went out to find irises to draw. I was on the sidewalk almost two hours and met a few of my neighbors when they wandered over to see what I was doing. I even got an invitation to go draw in one family's back yard any time I liked.

I really, really like Minnesotans.

Peony Sketch from Highland Park

Pink Peonies, pen and watercolor, 10 x 12", by Tracie Thompson

Stood on the sidewalk yesterday and sketched this; added the watercolor today. I'd had so much fun with the pansies that I wanted to continue.

Petunias at Como Conservatory

Petunias at Como Conservatory, sketch in pen and watercolor, 7 x 10", by Tracie Thompson

Okay, this? Was fun. I sat in the Sunken Garden of the Conservatory, and it smelled amazing in there, full of lilies and roses, but I painted the humbler little petunias along the path. Got fast and loose, fudged the colors where I felt like it, talked to all the people who stopped to see what I was doing.

I want to do more of this, simply for how relaxing it is. Also, the Japanese Garden at Como Park is so lovely. I'd never seen it before today.

Sunday Sketching at the St. Paul Farmers' Market

Farmers' Market Iris, about 8 x 6.5", pastel pencil, carbon pencil and white pastel on paper

What artists do at the Farmer's Market. The irises were gorgeous, so I stood there and sketched one.

Been out making little sketches again this morning.

Noticing these small things and drawing them is a source of real pleasure for me, and I recommend it even if you think you "can't draw." Nobody has to see what you do, but the joy of recording the moment is something that photography, in my experience, can't provide. There's a whole other connection when I've made a sketch, even if it's a very unfinished or inaccurate sketch.

Bright Bulbs!

Bright Bulbs, oil on canvas, 6 x 6" each, by Tracie Thompson

Each spring I make a few paintings to celebrate. These two are the first of four 6" squares I have planned. The next two are the flowers from these same bulbs, which are now in bloom. Daffodils. Stay tuned.

Peppergrass

Peppergrass, 11.5 x 8.5" pastel and pastel pencils on paper, by Tracie Thompson

Yesterday I went to WARM Coffee with the Women's Art Registry of Minnesota, and saw some great work by Patricia Olson and Carol Lee Chase (FYI to anyone interested: WARM Coffee is a great time, but no actual coffee is involved, so be sure to get your cuppa before you arrive).

The confluence of those exhibits and looking again at my good friend Jennifer Lowery's work led to the Peppergrass drawing, done last night; a companion piece for it is in progress today.

I emailed this drawing to Lauri Flaquer at Saltar Solutions, and she remarked, "For some reason it reminds me of a symphony." Thanks, Lauri. You've given me something extra to work with as I finish the next one.

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.

Seed Series 5 and 6

Untitled (Seed Series #5) and Milkweed (Seed Series #6), 8" x 6". Both mixed media on Rives BFK Tan paper.

$45 each.

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Four Seeds

Set of four, each 5" x 5", mixed pencils on tan cotton rag paper (Rives BFK Tan, for those who'd like to know).










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Artichoke: The Sequel!

This thing is really maddening to draw, which is probably why I keep doing it. I enjoy the challenge of getting the big shape and all those little shapes to work together the way they should.

Same size and media as yesterday's Artichoke. Same artichoke, too. No, I haven't cooked it yet. Maybe tomorrow.