Running back to her room

I was excited to have just finished this new piece for my Blackmore storybook. I posted it on instagram but I had to crop it funny so I put the whole thing here.

Inktober 2016

"Surprise", Inktober 2016 The Witch

Every October artists around the world participate in inktober. Started by Jake Parker a few years back, inktober is a challenge to post one ink drawing on instagram with the inktober hashtag. 

I participated this year, and followed Jake's prompt list for each day of October. 

That first set was done in ink, mostly from a Lammy pen. I focused on the bat, skeleton and cat as I way to draw more animals as I almost always do people or architecture.

For this next set I began icorporating stamp texture with inkpads. Something that always seemed like a fun way to draw but that I had never actually experimented with.

 During a few days of traveling I went back to solely ink and pen with my set of Halloween characters.

inktober "tired" ink and inkpad

Once home I continued my exploration with the inkpad. I am really pleased with how they had come out. Part of the joy of this inktober for me was letting myself go off model an to expriment with new mediums. I know I will be incorporating this style in to more of my art moving forward.

inktober 2016 "creepy"

Happy Halloween everyone!

Inktober 2016 - day 31 - friends

Los Laureles Lodge

Los Laureles Lodge, a historic country inn — located in Carmel Valley— has long been one of our family's favorite weekend escapes. Julie and I would visit once or twice a year before we had Luke and have since gone back about once a year (or try too). 

For my 40th birthday I thought it would be just the thing to spend the entire weekend there with some close friends. I was right! 

I had intended to drag my ipad around the property sketching the charming grounds, but I didn't. With out a child in not in tow I decided to sleep in, chat with out friends, swim, drink, eat, read and play dominoes. Which is a very successful birthday weekend.  I did spend part of the afternoon poolside doing the full on illustration of the lodge above. And then one more quick sketch (below).

We did manage to take some photos. I present to you, my birthday weekend in photos:

Pacifica Sketches

Previously I've documented the oceanside town I live with a series of morning walk photos. After coming back from Barcelona* I have been inspired to treat this wonderful town like it was a travel destination and sketch the heck out of it. 

I started with the pier - sort of the center of town as far as I am concerned (and the second largest fishing pier on the West Coast) - and worked my way out from there,

The second drawing is of the Stucky's fishmarket and Perfect Pour Coffee. Two excellent shops that share the building with a local barbershop (from which I have never been).

The third is from a cozy cottage just across from the pier (I always fantasize about living there). 

Finally is the ole' rusty anchor that has a place of honor along the promenade.

Big Bend Sketchbook 3 - Kitchen

Julie cooking breakfast in cabin kitchen

I've always wanted to draw one of the cabin kitchens and had never gotten to it until this illustration. I spent more time on this then the usually ipad sketch (which I try to set a 20 min timer for.)