A Wee Doodle

From Photos

The wolf sketch took about 5 minutes. From original photo by Jess R. Lee which appeared in the "Howling Success" article in Smithsonian Magazine. I tried to find a direct link to the specific photo, but it wasn't included in the gallery.




The barn took considerably longer, and turned into a real mish mosh of materials. Probably wouldn't have posted it, but the original photo is worth sharing—from James Jordan's Barn That Time Forgot photo on Flickr.

Causal Relationships

Warm weather causes increased frequency of sketching.



First, a sketch of my desk lamp—not done while enjoying the unseasonably warm weather, but a few days before.

This weekend was so warm that a good portion of Kenosha's population came out into the open. I enjoyed walking along the lake and into town both Saturday and Sunday. Saturday I was occupied with a bit of shopping at the HarborMarket which has been kindly relocated indoors at the Rhode Theatre for the winter months. I picked up a lovely crusty loaf of bread, and a bar of handmade lavender/mint soap.

After returning home with my purchases, I cut off the heel of the loaf and nibbled on it al fresco in the back yard amidst the melting piles of snow. There was enough warmth in the sun to justify breaking out a lawn chair to sit and read for a while. The cat even joined me for a while, although he was not appreciative of soggy paws, so his visit out of doors was fairly short.

Sunday was not quite as warm, but there was far less wind than Saturday, so it felt just as warm. Sunday I set out from the house with the intention of sketching.

The Kenosha lakefront has undergone quite a bit of development, and near the marina there are a couple of parks for kids. In the summer Kermit's fountain is a soggy draw for kids. There are some other sprinkler type fountains at this location with additional critters that I'll undoubtedly sketch in the future.



I continued my walk along the lakefront, around the main marina building and over to Harbor Park which is a great green expanse allowing room to play while also containing gardens, statuary, sculpture and memorial parks.

One of many light posts in the park:



At first glance, it looked like the couple below was enjoying a day on the waterfront, flying a kite. Then she opened her mouth to scream at her dog to "GET OVER HERE NOW!!!!" and the situation became somewhat clearer. He was having a blast, she was freezing her butt off desiring very much to "GET OUT OF HERE NOW!!!"

I saw the kite lift into the air once, and crash to the earth, and then I was about ready to move on.



From my park bench, I also did a quick sketch of the Kenosha Public Museum—more of a scribble really.



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MolyX-42 Entry in Elvia's "Farm Animal" Moly

I'm happy to report, I've completed my entry in Elvia's Moly for MolyX-42. It took me a while to commit to my idea for this moly because the very first idea that popped into my head had nothing to do with animals...sort of. Finally I couldn't help but move forward because the original idea would not be dislodged from my brain.



As I was working along, a light bulb went off above my head (it's very startling when that happens). So I took a break and made an ATC for the back pocket. I felt better that I'd fulfilled (in a way) her request for farm animals.





The text reads:

"Where are the farm animals?" you ask. Don't you see them—as plain as the nose on your face?

I'm talking about the mugwhomps, of course. Actually, it's a small squad of military mugwhomps in a split and stagger formation.

My dad told me all about mugwhomps when I was only 6 or 7 years old, and frankly, I'm surprised your dad didn't tell you.

Mugwhomps are the police/military corps of the farm yard/field. They protect and organize the farm animals. You'll frequently
see cows reporting to the mugwhomps when they go out for exercise. And you'll often see animals taking shelter near the mugwhomp formation.

My dad didn't tell me this specifically, but I suspect they do a great deal of training with the Buckingham Palace Guards—they are similarly unflappable in their duty.

I had a very entertaining childhood...slightly confusing...but very entertaining. :-)

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Sketching Around Kenosha

I'm in the midst of a project that I hope to have published in the not too distant future (if I can get my rear in gear). Here are a couple of sneak peeks:





Fingers were nearly sacrificed to the cold in order to do these sketches.

A warm up sketch during which the mind warmed up for sketching, but the fingers got rather frosty:



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I Call It the Hair Chair

The weekend before last, Mom and I enjoyed a morning at the spa. She'd given me a gift certificate for Christmas, and so she scheduled us for hair appointments. Hers was first.

While I waited for my appointment, I started sketching one of the stylists but he was very active in his work. You can see his ear and part of the frame of his glasses. I opted to give up on drawing the whirling dervish stylist and concentrate on the very stationary chair in front of me. Didn't have a chance to finish before it was my turn to go under the scissors.

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