From the Sketch Books

Trees at Versailles  (colored pencil on paper)

Geneva Junction (W.C. Pencils on paper)

A couple of small sketches - tree lined lane in early spring and a slightly wilder scene where the elements aren't quite so gentile- Geneva Junction on a cold January day.

Escher "Enspirations"

"Sultches & Hipdles"  Colored Pencil on paper

Or we could title it When Sultans, Hippies, Candles and Witches Collide.  We studied Escher's work in the high school this fall.  The first assignment was to create a work of our own using his tessellation methods.  It's great fun to make a pattern by cutting two sides of a spare or polygon then sliding or rotating or reversing then sliding, etc. to the other side.   Lots of sites to give more instructions if you're interested.  I left one pattern blank to show the shape before we filled it in.

The kids have some great ones on the way.  (Unfortunately some of the social butterflies will be coloring their precious fingers to the bone this weekend to meet deadline). 

Lost Creek from below the Hardman,  2012 Colored Pencil

The Bedford place had such lovely scenery - any direction was a visual treat.  This scene was done on textured mat board with Prismacolor colored pencils which are fantastic  for the range of colors possible. 

From the Sketchbook

Francis Peak

Francis Peak at Sunrise

We lost a beloved daughter-in-law in March.  These are scenes from her kitchen window.  I spent a lot of quiet time looking out that window.  The top scene seems to reflect my initial mindset to get everything right - frustration at not being in control of the situation.  A few days later I sketched the second.  It seems to mirror my acceptance of what had happened and a desire (subconscious) to hope for a better day coming - the promise of sunrise.  There are always brighter tomorrows.

New Scenery = New Creativity

       Small building from back side      

Watercolor on Strathmore

I liked the large tree throwing shade on an absolutely bare section of ground. 

The small building meshed together - crumbling bricks on the left joined to old adobe which is also merged with newer finished adobe in the one section with the roof covered with palm fronds
gave a history of construction. 

Such construction different sensibilities in a hot climate.

Pacific Ocean       

Watercolor on Cold Press

Scene looks deceptively small without a point of reference.  

The dunes on the front right are about 2 stories high. 

Peach colored sand made the water appear silvery blue most days and in most light.

Abandoned building 

Colored pencil on Charcoal paper

From the shady side of the building, the view through 
to the sunny vegetation out beyond was striking. 

I also liked the grand entrance opposed to the crumbling adobe on the back wall. 

Reminds me of some people - lots of show up front, but not much on the interior. 

We had the opportunity to see some new country in January.  It was an enlightening experience and we are grateful for the opportunity.  I took 3 sketchbooks (almost my whole carry on) and couldn't wait to get sketching each day.  Amazing to me how travel and new sights stir up the creative juices.

Bridger Valley Fall

Taylor Lane
Colored Pencil in Sketchbook

It's been a beautiful fall. This is looking toward the Uintas on my way home from work. The blues of the mountain range behind the golds and yellows of the valley make a delightful drive.

The Uintas in fall

To make up for time away, thought the Uintas in fall and summer would be nice.

The colder sketches will come when it finally turns cold here.

Janet - these are for you...