June 2017 ~~ 
I am continuing to be interested in drawing and painting figures from life in a variety of poses. . . focusing on movement using graceful line and light and dark to express a mood or feeling. 

Can you hear the music? Female figure life drawing. Mixed media (graphite and pan pastel) on Strathmore toned tan drawing paper. 9 x 12 inches. June 2017.

So Far Away

So far away
Doesn't anybody stay in one place any more?
It would be so fine to see your face at my door
It doesn't help to know you're just time away
Long ago I reached for you and there you stood
Holding you again could only do me good
Oh how I wish I could but you're so far away

One more song about moving along the highway
Can't say much of anything that's new
If I could only work this life out my way
I'd rather spend it being close to you

But you're so far away
Doesn't anybody stay in one place any more?
It would be so fine to see your face at my door
It doesn't help to know you're so far away
Yeah yeah so far away

Traveling around sure gets me down and lonely
Nothing else to do but close my mind
I sure hope the road don't come to own me
There's so many dreams I've yet to find

~ Lyrics to So Far Away sung by Carole King

So Far Away. Pan Pastel and Pastel Pencils on Strathmore Drawing Paper. 16 x 22 inches. 2017.

 

 

Pensive. 

Pan Pastel and Colored Pencil on Strathmore Tinted Paper. 18 x 24 inches. 2017.

Sleeping Nude

Pan Pastel on Drawing Paper. 2017.

Survivor

Pan Pastel on Tinted Drawing Paper. 18 x 24 inches. 2017.

Approaching Storm

How do birds survive storms? 
We have the luxury of being able to run into our homes and get out of the wind and rain, while birds are seemingly at the mercy of the elements. Actually birds are quite resourcefully equipped to handle being out in the weather.  They have a sort of sixth sense that is sensitive to barometric pressure, so they know when bad weather is approaching. Then they immediately begin to prepare by foraging for food. They fill their bellies since they don't know how long the storm will last. Then they find someplace that provides some shelter and hunker down until the brunt of the wind and rain passes.  Birds are also equipped with feathers that repel water and that can be fluffed up or flattened down to keep them warm and dry. 

Much can be learned from birds about what to do when storms or difficulties of any kind beset us in our lives. Like the birds, we can be aware of the storms on our horizon   and take care of our basic needs until the storm passes. 
Approaching Storm. Oils on canvas. 16 x 20 inches. 2017.