The Red Moccasins

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watercolor, ink and gouache

My favorite in my sketchbook so far...

my momma's red moccasins.

The beaded detailed were done with my calligraphy pointed pen. Nikko G nib.

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Posey

Like I have previously mentioned...my cat is an endless source of entertainment.  I am sure there will be more of him to come.

In the Zen Garden

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This was my main study at the botanical gardens.  They have the most amazing Japanese Zen garden.

Zilker Botanical Garden

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Done with a pointed calligraphy brush pen and a micron.

Last Monday, the Austin sketchers visited the botanical gardens for a few hours of delightful drawing.  This image was done within the last minute I was there, right before we left for lunch. I have never had such a strong desire to draw something...it is as if this palm tree was beckoning me.  I was trying very hard to listen to Sharon's closing statements for the class with this in the front of my mind.

 

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 Orchid my cat.

I have an inkling that cats will be a prevalent theme throughout my sketching studies.  We have three and they are always moving about the house.  So far I think I have at least three cat pages and I have barely even started this book!

I Promise...

At the Calligraphy guild meeting this past week, I had a lovely chat with my friend Karen about my sketchbook.  I began reading her my intro to the book and I got such a strong reaction from her and others around that I thought I would post it.  I had written this for my very first journal that I started because of being in lessons (calligraphy) with Sharon this past spring.  So far, I have written this at the beginning of each journal/sketchbook (really what is the difference?) that I have started and I think I forever will...

I promise to mot make you precious.

To hold you dear and keep you safe.

To fill you up with life, from the monumental to the mundane.

Probably mundane.

Be my confidant. Be my translator.

Facilitate my inner most thoughts, visions and dreams.

Help me develop my skills and grow.

Most of all, be my friend.

As promised...the sketch of the day.

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This is a little drawing of a plant right outside Sharon's studio.  It is actually one of my favorites so far.

Sketch Austin

Two weeks ago, I started a brilliant sketching class with the talented Sharon Zeugin.

A while back I gave you guys a little of my background when it comes to art and drawing, if you missed it you can find it here.

Sharon is the most inspiring and encouraging teacher, making this experience of sketching "in the field" more relaxing than it would normally be by yourself.  I've been busy, really busy, but I have found time to do a few sketches in between classes.  To be truthful, the more I do it, the more I want to do it and the less I want to do what I actually need to do.

I have been finding it difficult to keep up with my blog amidst all of the other things going on in my life.  It seems like I have been blowing through time and I want that to stop.  This might just be the answer to both things.  I have decided that at least for the time being and the time I am in the class, I will be posting a sketch a day (or every two) so that you all can join me on this adventure. Plus it will be fun to have a digital record of my out-and-around-town adventures and daily life.

To start...

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My first sketch in the class...a Vespa sitting in Sharon's driveway.

I actually really like how incomplete it is and I love the geometric shapes.  I am thinking of adding blocks of color.

Antiquaria

 

Photo by Kelly James

While I have been away from the blog...

Time has seemed to fly by.  Not only am I still working on calligraphy envelopes, commissions, etc, I am launching a new venture with the talented Emma James.  Many of you would recognize our collaboration on her wedding invite last spring, that was featured on Oh So Beautiful Paper.

Our new baby (business) Antiquaria, is shaping up quickly and beautifully.  I am not sure if you could put together two more visually perfectionistic people...but it is working.  We have a temporary site up here and our blog has a couple of posts and we are working on many more.  Of course I will keep you guys updated with developments as soon as I have news.  I encourage any of you that are interested in vintage dishes, linens and home decor to subscribe to the Antiquaria blog to stay up to date.  We will be previewing our favorites in our Catch of the Day section, which will give our readers first dibs on the new merchandise.

Our first photo shoot with Kelly James proved to be successful and rewarding so I am very much looking forward to another one tomorrow where we will be shooting a couple of table scapes and bar ware (my favorite)!