Music box

The little "Jingle Bells" music box that has amused me of late- and the subject of today's holiday sketch. Pen and watercolor in hand.journal sketchbook

Poinsettia face

I wanted to use the white poinsettia, and I found it quite difficult to shadow subtly on this journal paper, but here it is, my daily holiday study .

Pen, watercolor in hand.journal

Candy Canes

Yes - I work full time, clean, shop, bake, wrap, decorate and on and on for the holidays as many of us do - but I am Making time to sketch, for my own sanity. This is a very quick study of candy canes, late into the evening as there was simply little time left last night :-)

Cone Study

Another study in my "holiday" series, I find it quite relaxing to do these. Pen, watercolor in Hand.Book journal

Tree Pot

My new tree is UP in this wonderful pot- and DH said it could not be done (I love a challenge!!) So I tried my hand at copper - not easy and I will have to try again.

EDM #149 Broom

With snow on the way I had to search for this "broom". Ugly but necessary!!

Golden Glow

Our tree is very grown up now that our children have their own homes. There are only clear glass ornaments and a few golden glass. This is one of my favorites and quite a challenge for me to paint. Fun though. Pencil and watercolor in hand.book journal.

Single Candles

What is the saying? "It is better to light a single candle than to curse the darkness." I love our town's tradition of a single white candle in every window for Christmas- it seems to embody the wish for peace - Of course that means 15 candles for me (for all front facing windows) and I set them up on timers so they are twinkling as I get home from work - so here is a quick entry to depict this tradition. Pen and watercolor in hand.book journal.

EDM #148 Soothing

The challenge is Soothing"humm, as I have been sick for almost 2 weeks I have sought out all things soothing so I am an expert.

I knew this subject matter would be difficult but for me it proved to be impossible - I gave it two attempts (coffee cup bubbles and bath bubbles in case you can't tell ;-D - both quite soothing right now.

Pen and watercolor in hand.book journal

Looks like Winter

Signs of winter are here.

Pen and watercolor in Hand.Book journal

My Hair Hurts

Even Sicker today, I think I have reached my limit. And Yet -- I guess if I can do even one simple sketch there is hope.

Sick Day

Last Sunday after Thanksgiving I suspected I was getting sick. My grandsons had a cold and I was the lucky recipient - By Thursday I was sick as a dog (what does that mean anyway??) It distracted me to try this sketch as I sniffled and sneezed.

EDM #147 Made of Wood

Here are two of my favorite decoys, 'made of wood' and perfect for this week's challenge. I have several decoys and prefer the rustic as opposed to the real McCoy decoy ;-)

pencil and WC in notebook journal.

EDM # 146 Favorite Food

No doubt about it I love Cake, I am famous for my cake cravings, and as I proposed this challenge and Karen authorized purchasing said food for sketching (then indulging) Here it is, my favorite chocolate mousse cake from my favorite bakery "Take the Cake". Yes it was delicious!

Giving Thanks

After the feast was over, guests departed and clean up complete, there was one wish bone salvaged from our two 18# turkeys. This quick sketch called to me as the wishbone dried on the window sill over the sink. I had contemplated sketches all day long but there was NO time for sketching. That wishbone, got me thinking, counting my blessings (literally) and wishing for another wonderful year .

Turkey Time

What a Thanksgiving we had, 26 for sit down dinner and two turkeys and Tons of sides and of course dessert. A true Feast.

My GD wanted me to sketch from her Tom Turkey story book and it was fitting.

EDM #145 Autumn Tree

Mid November in Connecticut, there is not a lot of color left, this sketch from outside my window seemed appropriate and simple to do from inside, toasty and warm as the wind blows.

Twins

My oldest daughter has three boys, these are her twins. I want to learn portraits - the loose watery kind which scare the heck out of me - but unless I practice I will never learn anything - This sketch is from a picture (obviously, as they do not pose at one year of age.) Bits are actually representative but then, not enough to really be a portrait - and the watercolor is just scary. I hope one day to look back at this and feel a sense of improvement.

boat scene

Just practicing my water color sketching. I still find it awkward and long for my pens - this little sketch from a calendar is just more practice.

EDM #144 Square

Ok one more from Rome. The challenge this week was "square" and I simply could not find anything inspiring - then I remembered my picture of the Pantheon ceiling - the 8' opening at the center and the square paneling encircling the dome. There was a definite rosy glow as the sun beamed in. So here it is, my exhibit for "Square". Pencil, and watercolor in Winsor and Newton sketchbook.