Mid Spring Break

So Wednesday spent time with another art educator to go visit a local Hindu Temple and sketch it. It was a beautiful day! It is amazing how we forget to stop and look around at everything right next to us! This is the one exercise we should all do whether we draw or not - just to appreciate life.
This sketch was done using a Lamy fountain pen filled with Noodlers Bulletproof Black ink and water color.

Its been a long long time

OMG! It HAS been a long time since I have posted anything!! I have been so busy with school, and setting up next years professional development plans for our teachers that I have not had time to do much else!! I did however, start my spring break off by attending the NAEA ( National Art Educators Association) - National Convention in Fort Worth. This was my first visit to Dallas and I must say it is beautiful!
The opening ceremony party was FANTASTIC! There was an Aztec/Mayan costumed man who blew on a conch shell-that sounded like a blast from the ancient past! Need I say he was probably the most photographed that evening! I also got to ride "Molly the Trolley" (free) and check out the down town!
And of course the beautiful Water Garden too!!
I'm so glad that I sketch! It really made me stop, look and enjoy the beauty of Ft. Worth! I'm ready to go back and see the rest of it!!!

A Passion to Draw

Why sketch? I sketch because the pen or pencil is like an extension of my finger, connected to my brain. Whatever is happening around me, my brain sees, records and enjoys-at the same moment my fingers keep moving, retelling the stories unfolding all around me. Like the ancient scribes - I too must record all that which is around me...I am an art-scriber
It is a passion that cannot be denied as I must draw, draw and draw!
I recently spent an evening sitting by my self at a local pub in Sugar Land Town Square. It was interesting to watch the animation of people around me. I did get some strange looks as they passed by my table with scattered pens - as I kept on drawing for several hours. It was very crowded- and I think they wanted my seat!

HALLOWEEN!

Well, October ended and I have a classroom full of over wired or over tired kids, from all the candy in middle of school week! I love to watch the many costumes flitting in and out off sidewalks and around yards in the neighborhood. The many bling bling strobe like lights flashing back and forth like aliens searching for a spot to land on. Parents frantically trying to keep up with their group of chaperoned kids and continuosly counting the number of winged costumes under their surveillance! The 2-3hours of constant door bells, creaking doors, cackling background, hounds baying and bats swinging - yes, the teacher is tired too! :)

My Weekend

The weekend began with taking my mom to the Dentist and not picking up after doing dishes in the kitchen. I did use every moment I got to sketch in my little sketchbook.
Like I have mentioned before ~use every moment you get to do quick sketch of life around you. I don't believe in "planning" every drawing in my sketchbook. Be spontaneous! Thats the spice of life! Same in creating art, its the unknown, the happy accidents that make the oomph!
Saturday I attended the monthly art meet with Sugar Land Area Artist and enjoyed a free pastel demo and Sunday evening spent some time at a local restaurant enjoying the ambiance.
Okay so now I am ready to go back to work for the week! :)

Stop and look!

I have been coming and going through the Bush International Airport quite a few times since December 2012, and not once did I notice the decor! Today, I had to sit a bit when I went to pick up my husband at the airport. While he was at the baggage claim, I made these two quick sketches -using the micron ink pens. I used the water color later at home. This just proves that it's really important to stop and look around you~take a moment to pause, or you will miss seeing so much! Keep sketching, and learn to really see what you draw!

Pen & Ink w/ Watercolor

Drawing in pen and ink is a great way to cover mistakes when drawing direct and drawing fast, and its better when you use watercolor on top of it. So you don't have to worry if you feel your drawing isn't perfect - as long as you enjoyed making those marks. This is my sketch share for today. Hope you are doing yours too!