The days go by....too fast!

 

Sunrise with Mt. Hood

 

Another year has almost slipped away and I have been negligent about posting to this blog! But better to have a few entries than none at all....2013 was the year that I really increased my sketching time and became more productive. We also traveled again to the Caribbean for 10 days in mid Winter, and then to hot Spain in July where I attended a sketching Symposium. Lots of inspiration was found on both trips! Cycling, teaching and working on the vineyard and property occupied the rest of the year. Our family was also productive, and increased by one in mid August with the arrival of grandchild number three! Couldn't be happier!

Art in some form, specifically sketching, watercolor, and silk screen printing, have always been part of my life. My parents, who were both art teachers, were always an inspiration for me. Recently I uncovered some of the travel journals that they created and was re-inspired! My father died young at age 62 but left behind his footprint....beautifully rendered pen and inks taken during his one and only trip to Europe soon after he retired and only a few years before he had a heart attack.

 

 

My mother took her first trip without my dad to attend a painting workshop in Mallorca back in 1978. My favorite sketch of hers......

 

 

         And one of mine sketched on the beach in Antigua.

 

 

                         
Two of my sketches from Spain...the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona and a view of the Cathedral steeple in Palma, Mallorca. A wonderful part of our time in Mallorca was to retrace the steps that my mother took when she was there. Not much had changed...especially in the sleepy little towns along the Western coast where she did most of her sketching.

 

Back home I did some sketching with Portland's Urban Sketchers group and experimented with new toned paper and white gel pens.

 

Recently I've completed a series of watercolor/pen and ink sketches that will be auctioned off at the Zenger Farm's fundraiser dinner in October. This is a great sustainable farm located within Portland's urban boundaries that has a wonderful collection of old barns and outbuildings. My son Eric is on their Board of Directors.

 

With October only a few weeks away our work now is focused on the annual grape harvest! This photo was taken over 25 years ago as I proudly showed off one of our first totes of Pinot Gris! Our five acre vineyard has produced from only a few tons to over 18 tons over the years. We are hoping for an average harvest this year after a few poor harvests. Climate change has been a factor!

 

Here's to a great Fall! Cheers....from Cloudrest!