Thank you, Jo Castillo for your wonderful photo – looking at that, you just know it’s going to be a good day!
(— and thank you, Puccini, for your inspiring music which always helps me paint)
I’m happy with this – makes me feel good.
Good Day Sunrise
February 3rd, 2012 · No Comments
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Bastrop Sunrise – Work in Progress
January 31st, 2012 · 8 Comments

I finally got to paint again, after about two months of no time to do the thing I love best.
I started this one in November for a sky demo I did for the Texas Pastel Society. My friend Jo Castillo, who let me use her great photo for this painting, came over last Friday and I worked on it then and again a little while on Sunday and today.
With the right attitude, we can enjoy most things we do every day, but for me, painting is definitely icing on the cake.
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Iron Bird, Tall Bird
January 28th, 2012 · No Comments
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I love this bird – he sits over my desk, quietly whispering “nevermore”, although I think he’s actually a crow. He doesn’t mind, he still says the word. This is my source bird, and three stages of drawing him.
Next, I finally finished this little rooster that gave me fits. Probably because I always thought it was a female…

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Iron Bird – Perseverance
January 17th, 2012 · 3 Comments
Pencil on art paper.
Hope springs eternal. I may not have been able to draw every day as I intended, but I’ll keep trying. It’s definitely worth the effort.
This drawing is of another of my iron birds – a little guy I’ve always loved. Not pretentious, just content within himself.
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Celery Rose and Rennie Mac
January 9th, 2012 · 2 Comments
Still more birds to be sketched, but this is my busiest time of each month in my job that actually pays me. Alas, it is not art. I did want to post a quick photo, of the end cut off a bunch of celery. They always impress me with how lovely they are.
This one reminds me of a Charles Rennie Mackintosh rose, as seen above. I’ve always loved Art Noveau, and I especially love Rennie Mac’s designs for their simplicity and mathematical elegance.
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Day 06 – Iron Bird: Funky Chicken
January 6th, 2012 · 3 Comments
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Actually a rooster, but he’s kind of funky from some perspectives.
My friend, Jo Castillo, sketches in ink. Only in ink. Way too much pressure. So irrevocable. I will generally draw in pencil until I get it like I want it, then draw it in ink. But I thought, what the heck, and attempted to capture this little guy (about 2 1/2 inches high) in ink. Ever fearless.
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Day 05 – Iron Bird aka Bigfoot
January 5th, 2012 · No Comments
I’ve always loved this little guy. He stays out with my plants all spring, summer, and fall, but every now and then I look down, and there he is in the dirt, with his feet up in the air. Croaked again.
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Day 04 – Sidestep
January 5th, 2012 · 2 Comments

I missed drawing my bird last night, so am posting a painting I’ve been thinking about. I’ve been visualizing this in my mind – I loved the photo I took back in 1989, and I loved the final piece when I painted it back in 2007 (above). Now I want to try it again, with a limited palette of light rust and grey. Somewhat like the revised image below. Another change I want to make to it is to refine the basic elements of the painting.

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Day 03, Angry Bird
January 3rd, 2012 · No Comments
Not sure what this fat fellow is mad about, but he had a definite scowl. Maybe because his shadow looks like a fish. This one doesn’t have as much detail as the previous two.
I was settling into bed at 10:20 and realized that I hadn’t done a sketch today. So I hauled myself into the dining room and did this quick sketch, just so I don’t let myself down.
Any practice is better than no practice at all.
And habits must be built through repetition.
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Day 02 – Iron Bird Two
January 2nd, 2012 · 2 Comments
Drawing of another bird from those I’ve collected over the years, and keep in with my plants.
I look for grace, strength and wisdom to meet the changes and challenges that will come this year.
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