Wandering Paris

My Imaginary Trip to Paris continues. Lots of fun and laughs with a great bunch of artists and Laure Ferlita (our host). This week we are touring Versailles, and WOW! The assignment was to pick a scene and do a time sketch (the time up to us). I am striving to learn fast sketch techniques and I am happy to say I am!! I allowed 10 minutes for a quick pen only sketch of the framework and scribbles of the art within of this CEILING view (yes the ceiling is jaw dropping gorgeous). 10 minutes for paint concentrating on VALUES. then 10 or so for text 'back at our hotel'. Sorry my text scanned so faintly - need to up my pen sizes. There are more pages to post, as soon as I have time ;)

Imaginary Trip to Paris - Crypt

Laure Ferlita hosts Imaginary trips to wonderful places (imaginarytrips.com) and a troupe of fabulous journal sketchers have just arrived in Paris, myself included. I highly recommend the course for its fun, creative atmosphere with new learning curves around every corner.

Here is my first post from a highly unlikely location: Pere lachaise Cemetery (timed - only 35 minutes allotted) -

I love Paris and my last visit I was a newbie journaler, this trip I am raring to go (and prepare for my Paris trip next spring!)

Boston

A spectacular view of Boston from our 35th floor room.

Bonita

I was so inspired by Gay Kraeger's recent post that I decided to finally try this sketch. My brother has sent several pictures of the gorgeous feline that lounges on his patio in Tucson. I wanted to show her in my journal but felt I could not do her justice. I decided to Try! Gay's journal is everything I wish mine could be - so I highly recommend you check her's out.

Snow Moon

A Gorgeous sight here on Frenchman's Bay, USVI. The Snow Moon named for the snowiest month of the year ( in terms of snow fall ) but not a problem here ;-)

Bits and Pieces

Harmony, peace, love and appreciation of nature - The uplifting aura of Connie and her home.

The long goodbye

Lovely weather in Phoenix, but we sat here all day as flight after flight for our connection to CT was cancelled. Good for sketching opportunities though. We finally made it to Atlanta, only to have that connecting flight cancelled, then an overnight stay in GA (no luggage of course) and finally the next day we made it home - and yeah, our luggage arrived two days later. Don't ya just love travel in the winter?

Arizona Bird

Big Brother's toys are cool!

Javelina Anyone ?

Too dang cute - in photos anyway. I had never heard of a Javelina - Mark gave us the lowdown and a few photos so we were on the lookout all week. They often appear early evening in the back yard areas desert foliage. I am told they smell similar to a skunk (not so appealing) but alas none appeared. Agave on the other hand were prevalent, as were tequila drinks ;-) Wouldn't these make cute pets?? Not as big as pot belly pigs - and with a good bath ? ? ? ?

Arizona Nirvana

I could spend days browsing this wonderful community, so inspiring and uplifting and Different from my usual New England surroundings.

Arizona Blossoms

These 3-4" milky white blossoms crown the Saguaro cactus in late spring - they bloom at night and bats primarily do the pollinating. They close up during the daylight - The result in a bright red fruit that the birds love and there by spread the seeds. Both the flower and fruits are quite a site to behold. I had to do this sketch from pictures.

Arizona Desert

I felt like an old cowgirl on my trusty steed Bo as we headed out on the high dessert plain. Great way to see the desert's beauty - but my legs were asleep by trail ride end.

Arizona 3

The view from the back cactus garden patio was stunning, no matter the time of day . We overlooked the Saguaro National Park and on to the Rincon Mountains. The sun and shadows played with the light all day long and the stars - Oh the stars!! My page is rather watery and does not scan well unfortunately.

Arizona 4

Busy Day yields a busy page. It was fun and jam packed! So much to see and do - I only wish I had more time to sit and sketch in the moment, but I am certainly enjoying the process here at home too.

Arizona 2

This lamp in our bedroom caught my eye - quite a lovely shade and twisting the button adjusted the light to what ever level was desire.

Arizona 1

Arizona Bound

Very excited, tomorrow we leave for Arizona to visit my brother and his wife. That is, IF we beat yet another winter storm expected tomorrow with another possible foot of snow on top of the two feet still on the ground. But hey, it is January in New England and that is expected. Looking forward to 70 degree temps and hikes in the mountains of the southwest. My journal needs that vacation too!! More to come.

Bi-Coastal

Finally home! Still have sketches to finish and texting though. Our Bi-Coastal trek is over, a whirlwind of activity, sights and fun . Both the Pacific and Atlantic northwest coasts share so much; and ocean of course, but also the rugged rocky shoreline, terrific flora and fauna and the fog and rain to support it all and great people. Of course the coast of Maine also has Horrific storms (hurricanes) and SNOW (plus my beloved lobsters) All in all we have a fabulous country with so much to see and explore and now I have even More left on my must see list!

San Francisco con't

Our last day in San Francisco we headed over the bridge to Muir Woods to see the giant Redwoods and then into Sausalito for some lunch, shopping and sightseeing.

We dined in the old Ghiradelli chocolate factory, the sign remains as a symbol and the store still remains underneath, It was Chocolate Festival weekend here too. There was definitely chocolate in the air.

A business associate took us west to the famous Cliff House for lunch, amazing history and breathtaking view of the pacific and Fabulous lunch.

We parked and walked up into the park to admire the Painted Ladies, even though it was overcast they were bright and cheery. Fun to sketch and paint!

San Francisco

We walked the length of Chinatown, such a wild mix of color, sound and smells, I would love to have browsed each and every shop.

Our morning walk took us past Starbucks on the famous Fisherman's Wharf - I have seen them all over the world and this is almost their home turf - a nice way to start our daily adventure.

Lucky me - my husband had business in San Francisco and then a Naval Reunion in Portland Oregon we planned them to allow some day trips. I have not been drawing much and it shows in this spread, but I could feel my creative juices begin to flow.