First Drawing Created in My New Studio!

Moving is always such a big deal...and finding everything when you unpack can be a nightmare. I've been in my new place for about 3 weeks and have FINALLY been able to start drawing in my new studio. I've missed it. Today I did a "warm-up" drawing, one of the views from around the farm I'm renting.

It's nice to be back!

“Farm View, Fall” Pen and ink and Inktense pencils
in a Stillman and Birn 6”x8” Zeta sketchbook.

Charles de Lint and Charles Vess book signing

Charles Vess, Charles de Lint, MaryAnn Harris (from left to right)

Last night was fun! Matt and I went to the University of Washington bookstore for a book signing of “Seven Wild Sisters” written by Charles de Lint and illustrated by Charles Vess. What a delightful presentation. Not only did we get to hear a selection from the book, but Charles (de Lint) and his wife, MaryAnn Harris played a few songs for us, while Charles (Vess) did a sketch. As always, Charles de Lint was great-hearted about signing mounds of books that people brought from home.

Charles Vess sketch

I had met Charles de Lint before, but never Charles Vess. As far as I'm concerned Charles Vess is one of the top fantasy illustrators we have right now.  While chatting with Mr. Vess, I discovered that he will be giving a professional illustration workshop in Washington this weekend and I was able to snag the very last spot!!! Wow!!!

Charles de Lint

Charles de Lint fast sketch drawn while he was playing music.

This is bound to be a mighty exciting weekend and I just can’t wait. I’ll be blogging about my experiences so stay tuned, I'm certain the workshop will be a lot of fun!

Sketching in the field today

Today was such a lovely day that I took a break from my book illustrations and did some sketching in the field. I haven’t been doing too much field sketching this summer. This is partly because of the weather, which has been dreary and wet much of the time. But also because I’ve been doing so much work in my studio on the book illustrations. So, this was a nice change of pace.

This is Chez Jacroux, where my horse, Percy, lives. The Jacroux family have a lovely farm and I'm most grateful to be able to keep Percy there.

This is the barn at Chez Jacroux.

Here’s my sketch of the barn. 

Pen & ink and watercolor in a
Stillman & Birn sketchbook (I think it’s a Delta.)

My audience. Two very curious ponies watching me draw.

Percy is in the background and Rudy is in the foreground.