Dave

 

His wife asked me to do a portrait of him. He liked to play Santa every Christmas; he had the beard and body for it. He tragically died earlier this year at his son's graduation ceremony. It greatly saddened all who knew him, a very gentile fellow.

 

A rough Vermeer

Something from my daughter

 

"Today my parents celebrate 42 years of marriage. I am so grateful to my parents for all they have done for us. My mom baked, cooked on the earth stove, taught us to sew and read aloud to us each night. My dad, I really thought he knew EVERYTHING until I was in eighth grade, he could kick the ball so high, he would always blow dry my hair (we had to do that in Oregon), could talk like Donald Duck and would pray for us each night. I am proud to call these 2 my parents. Thanks for staying committed to each other, always making time for each other. Thanks for loving us so well."

That was yesterday. I guess she's saying my knowledge doesn't go past the eigth grade.

I somehow ended up with a great family and am very blessed. I don't know why.

Morning

 

The sky is not cloudy all day mostly where I live. So when I saw this from my backyard I was pretty pleased. But a discouraging word was heard that it could get to 110 later this week. Oh well, Sunshine on my shoulders makes me happy. Sometimes.

Something Classical

Head of a Woman in blue. My version of a Da Vinci.

No Bare Footin'

Shown is the temperature of my driveway.

Outside temperature: 114 deg. Too much fun living in a blast furnace.

Hand and Pliers

 

I got tired of faces and so I thought I'd do something different. I thought of Arm and Hammer as I did this and wondered how it became associated with baking soda. The connection doesn't follow. So, using the same logic, I think this would be a great icon for popcicles.

110

 

 Do' 'no why

There's no cloud up in the sky,

Sunny weather.

Gonna be sweatin' together,

Wanna lay down an' die.

 

 

Sara and Anika

 

Friend and daughter.

Gettin' Old

 

 

My eldest, the one with the book, turned 41 last month, which makes me considerably older. I look in the mirror and note the effects of gravity and that my hairline has slowly crawled toward the top of my head. My skin has also gained some tree bark qualities. Yet, it's still me inside, or mostly. I've learned some things about life and gained some knowledge, but maybe not so much wiser. I don't have much left on my bucket list, I'm pretty content. So as time goes on until whenever, and the tree bark gets thicker, and faces and names continue to disconnect, I'll remind myself of all the perks associated with getting old and that I can always be immature.

Dirty Cherub

 

 

Saw this mounted on a wall in England. Much of the original paint peeled off or faded. Drew it last year just as a study in texture.

Palo Verde

The name means "green stick". These trees have olive green bark and bright yellow blossoms in the spring. I obviously haven't done it justice by my drawing, but trees always facinate me. I'm primarily interested in the way the limbs relate from a graphic point of view. I liked the way this one looked.

Still alive

For those who've visited here in the last 6 months or so, you will have noticed I haven't posted. I lost intertest in doing so but will eventually put some newer drawings up soon. More later.