Every Day in May, Second Installment

2. a tree 

4.  herbs/spices in a jar or bottle 

5. something hot

I'm continuing the effort to use less pencil/line drawing and more paint. The process of letting the paint do the work is fun though I'm not always thrilled with the product. That's not the point, right? I'm using odds and ends of paper that are floating around the studio. The different types of paper add a surprise element to the process!

• May 2 – an evergreen on our back deck that looks like it made it through the Chicago winter.
• May 4 – vanilla pods
• May 5 – Happy Cinco de Mayo!

OK,  where's May 3 – curtains? I'll get back to you on that one. It has me stumped!

You Know What They Say About Good Intentions

I've joined the Every Day in May, 2015 group on FB. The intention is to draw on item on the EDM list every day in May. I'm usually not good at these things. I can be like a magpie chasing after the next shiny thing but here goes! Today's item is a favorite food. It doesn't get more favorite than pizza for me.

My other intention for this project is to draw more with the paint rather than pencil. I don't want to eliminate pencil marks (they're almost on the favorite scale with pizza) but to use them more selectively.  Wish me luck! 

Clueless in Chicago

I have no idea what kind of succulent this is but I really like its graphic quality. There is a new florist in the neighborhood, Christine Noelle Designs, and as I was walking by the other day I spied it in the window and couldn't resist.

The new floral studio is beautifully designed and the flowers are out of this world. I complemented them on such a wonderful space etc. and asked if they had other locations. "Yes." they said, "Dilly Lilly." LOL! Ten years ago, Dilly Lilly did the flowers for my daughter's wedding and, though a little out of the way for us, has often been our "go to" florist for very special occasions! Lost in the conversation, I didn't get the name of the plant!

EDM 257: draw a house plant

EDM #8

The other day I was talking with some friends about the Norton Museum in Palm Beach and the Iris Apfel, Rare Bird of Fashion, 2007 exhibit. It was also at the Costume Institute at the Metropolitan in New York. She's an inspiration and I really enjoyed the show and book. This chat put me in mind of this bracelet, which lead to this sketch and EDM #8- draw your watch or some other piece of jewelry, which led to this post…

And the Color of the Day Is…

The EDM challenge #180 is draw something that's your favorite color. Green certainly seems to my favorite color on these pages. Tomorrow it will probably go back to red.

Act II, a group from Holy Name Cathedral for those of us in life's second half, has started a sketching group that will meet at various locations in Chicago. We've met twice and have decided to make it a weekly event. Monday will be the day. It will work out for me even though it's during the day since my work schedule is pretty flexible. Sightseeing and sketching, it will be fun to view the town with new eyes and new friends. These pages are from Lincoln Park.



It's nice how the later glued-on info covers my not so successful attempts!  The sketches are done in a new Hand•Book sketchbook that I bought at Dick Blick's. I like the paper weight and texture better than a moleskine.

New Challenge - Old Sketches

I did this watercolor sketch some time ago (ten years maybe) in a book I kept for ideas and info. The book is probably my first adult attempt at visual journaling though I didn't keep up with it. I'm more determined this time to make it part of my life rather than let life get in the way!

Teaching an Old Dog New Tricks

It was a great morning sketching then I spent the afternoon trying to figure out how to post efficiently to EDM and flickr. I still don't have the hang of it.

Here are the sketches.

This one started out as a sketch of my hand but I was sidetracked by the bracelets.


Chocolate is difficult to paint but it sure is delicious!. These are incredible taste combinations - chocolate with bacon, with wasabi and with chilies.


That's three down and 175+ to go!

Smell. See. Draw. Taste. Post.

I walked into the kitchen and smelled delicious summer in this peach. It didn't disappoint!

All the people at Everyday Matters inspired me to draw it before I indulged. This is the first time I've posted a sketch to EDM. This is the first of many I hope. The EDM Weekly Challenge List is long but you've gotta start somewhere. EDM #133 - Draw a peach.
That's one down!