January tends to be a back to basics month.  So I started with eyes and expressions.  I snuck one of my of my favorites.  Michelangelo's David.

I've continued working with my patterns.  I tried creating a complex background using pattern.  While the result is interesting, it isn't what I inteneded.  The proportions are off.  I'd like to see the branch more dominant in the picture.  As it is, it reminds me of a spider's web and suggests that there are more branches than what are drawn. And it leaves room for me to try again. 

Then I did a variation on a more traditional drawing.  The Nest Two Ways.  That one worked well.  So far it seems like the browns - dirt and twigs - are my most successful attempts.

I've never seen anything like this before.  The sudden appearance of deep holes, dug straight through the snow to the bare ground.  Was it rabbits trying to dig out a sleeping hole?  There was certainly evidence that rabbits had been visiting the area.

Then as I was watching a fresh snow starting to fall, I saw it.  A squirrel - diving and tunneling through the snow.  Kids aren't the only ones having fun in the snow this season.

This week I've tried putting the design and color together in my drawings.  They take a lot of time, but have an interesting effect.  A lot more room to experiment with color schemes here.

To combat the hustle and bustle and stress of the season, I've taken a little time to enjoy my favorite mindless art projects.  Coloring.  Even as a child I enjoyed coloring and making patterns.  Studying Mucha recently gave me another opportunity to do that.  There are some of the coloring projects I've been busy with.

I know it's been a long time since I've posted.  My laptop is in the shop for repairs.  I finally pulled out my old one.  It's screen is held together with clips and duct tape, the hinges are broken so it has to be propped just right, vertical lines randomly appear on screen, and it's SLOW.  Despite all of that I had to honor the first snow of the season.  It's late in coming this year but that doesn't diminish the beauty. It's been a slow steady snow and is still coming down.  Happy winter everyone!  Time to embrace it.

I've been playing around with landscapes, color and composition.  Here's hoping I can make time for some painting very soon.

I'm so excited to share this!!  My first ever book of photography.  A collection of photos I've taken through the seasons in Madison WI.  It's for sale through Blurb. 
It was a fun project from start to finish.  I have to say though, that it's an odd and thrilling thing to see my work in a book.  Thanks to everyone who helped me make this happen.

For some time now I've been interested in graffiti.  Maybe it's the unexpected personal in impersonal places or the colorful graphic nature of the art.  Either way, Madison has a few interesting examples.

Every time I go on vacation I have a terrible time returning to my old routines when I come back.  This year is no exception.  I had a wonderful long vacation and now I'm doing my best to readjust to my old days.  I've slept more than my share, mighty piles of dishes stacking up, a garden knee deep in weeds, and gutters over flowing with leaves.  And as you can see - late blog posts.

My drawings have been a bit all over the place, as I try to find my feet again. Maybe next week I'll have something productive and on time.