Dannel Malloy

Our 'new' Governor - not totally accurate but now I can journal around his face what I think of him!!

Thank You -Lake Bonaparte

I have finished a few more journal sheets from my recent trip to Lake Bonaparte NY. Workshop instructor/artist Jane LaFazio has posted some photos and sketches as well and I encourage you to visit her blog "and visit a while". This page was done at the Natural Basket shop in Natural Bridge NY, a charming shop encompassing an amazing array of antiques and collectibles as well as hand made baskets incorporating old snow shoes and even antlers - Truly unique and such hospitable people, allowing us to sketch, bringing us fresh coffee, chatting about local history and then of course I shopped there too ;-)

The view of the lake provided endless sketching possibilities. It was an adventure! I had never driven so far by myself, and never seen the upstate New York area before. Such beautiful autumn countryside and I saw my first wind farm as well. This sketch captures the workshop essence - a watercolor adventure shared with great people in a great place.

Lake Bonaparte WC Workshop part 3

Last weekend I was fortunate to attend a watercolor journaling workshop in upstate New York with the fabulous artist Jane LaFazio . I have long admired her ink and watercolor style and daydreamed over her accounts of workshops across the country.

I jumped at the chance to attend Jane's workshop on Lake Bonaparte, just east of Lake Ontario and study the lovely NE autumn .

Our hostess was acclaimed photographer/writer Jan Phillips who opened her charming Muse Lodge to us. We shared wonderful wine and food and even toured the lake by boat with Jan at the helm. First mate Don, Jane's charming and most talented husband.

The three Libras, ( sharing birthdays within a week's time) all decked out for a chilly lake tour. Later, back by the fire Jane and Don recounted their travels around the world and Jane's work with underprivileged children in the San Diego area.

(Our work table at the lodge ) We took 2 plien air field trips to the Oswegatchi River and a wonderful basket/antique shop for sketching (and some shopping). We strolled the lake and later worked on mixed media projects at the lodge as Jane demonstrated. I learned several techniques to balance pages, mix colors and even tried collage, wc crayons and explored layouts options.

We left these workshop interpretations for Jan as a thank you -

My wet in wet technique is much improved thanks to Jane . (see previous Lake Bonaparte posts) My weekend turned into an adventure with lasting friendships and invaluable hands on instruction and memories. I now dream of attending her workshop in Tuscany Italy 2010!

Lake Bonaparte, NY on a cloudy /chilly afternoon. Thank you all!

NYC sketch crawl

This was a big leap for me, as a newbie I certainly have not sketched in public and the mere thought terrorized me - but - DH was in NYC and I headed in Friday to spend the weekend. I knew this was it - time to get out and sketch with abandon. Knowing my idol Laura (laurelines) was in Chinatown sketching I fancied myself on a sketch crawl. I packed my new sketchbook and pens/pencils/WC and took off. This is my first sketch, but taken from postcards as I practice and dream and created a first page for the trip journal.

Train to Grand Central

Off I go - Decided to sketch the train and Lord that is hard, the perspectives are complex and all that bumping and twisting, I got nauseous - thank God I was working in pencil ;-) My hat is off again to the subway sketchers. Trains are rather boring and I could not see any faces clearly. Once I got home I could flesh out the sketch and add water color - not a bad depiction, at least I know it is a train seat. Now on to NYC.

Broadway from the 8th floor

The hotel had a lounge with this view of Broadway on the 8th floor - I cannot do it justice, there was so much going on inside and out - looking down from the window to the street revealed a million tourists and taxis darting about. Quite lively, the lounge filled with people and noise but I did a public sketch and added color later.

TODAY

OK I had to do it - actually had a nice cup of coffee at Dean & Deluca as I watched the circus.

Tempted to do Top Of the Rock but at 8:30am it is a bit chilly and windy.

Decided to trek North to Central Park

Here people actually saw I was sketching and I just ignored them (tourists ;-D

Central Park

Not sure of the name of this shell- perhaps a New Yorker can identify - I was in mid Central Park and really felt like an artist, sat on the bench and really studied and sketched, the light was from behind the shell so I had to work with that (9am). Groups came and went as I sketched, overall it was all mine. By now my legs were killing me and this was quiet and so lovely I had to sit and try to capture it. The perspective is off but I learn so much by attempting these difficult subjects. What a glorious day to wander the park which is simply Fabulous. Wonder if there are any apartments near by for rent !

Metropolitan Museum of Art

I visited the Metropolitan Museum of Art and got lost immediately, it is vast and over whelming. After a nice lunch in their balcony cafe I visited the Oriental exhibit and there were many student classes and such artists sketching away - I did the same, I felt so Artsy - I chose a relatively simple marble sculpture "Seated Jain Tirthankara" from the 11 century, Very ZEN! Pencil, ink and watercolor wash in sketchbook