Tag Archives: sketch

Two Headed Pine Tree Sketch – Swallow Cliff

Posted on June 5, 2011 | 4 Comments

2-headed pine at swallow cliff south - watercolor

That evening light, the glow of the setting sun, it is so wonderful that it makes anything in its path illuminate with a gentle warm radiance.

“For the Lord God is a sun and shield;
The Lord will give grace and glory;
No good thing will He withhold
From those who walk uprightly.”
Ps 84:11

What are good things? I think the good things I sometimes overlook. Family, food on my plate, a roof over my head, the setting sun, gentle breezes, birds visiting my feeder, rain to water the earth, friendship…those are some great things of which I am thankful for. I am also thankful for the subtle things in nature…

This “two-headed” pine tree is at the end of the main parking lot next to the picnic shelter at Swallow Cliff South. It is my Mom’s favorite. When we stopped for a visit a few days ago, the sun awakened each pine bough with luminous needles.
How magnificent!

This watercolor and ink sketch took about 30 minutes to complete and was given as a gift to my Mom.

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Posted in art, Artwork, Chicago, God, nature, Nature Sketching, sketchbook, watercolor painting, watercolor sketching

Tagged Christine Kane Art, ckane, conifer, forest preserve district of cook county, nature, Nature Sketching, sketch, sunset, sunset trees, swallow cliff south, tree, two headed pine, watercolor and ink, watercolor pine

Crawdad Slough Sketch

Posted on February 13, 2011 | 8 Comments

Tree at Crawdad - watercolor and micron pen

I didn’t have much time today so I made a quick stop at Crawdad Slough, just to find something to sketch from inside my car in the parking lot. It sure didn’t take long before my focus centered upon a tree full of character. I fell in love immediately.

I like the way it was leaning left and how the setting sun made the bark glow a deep orange. As I studied the tree, I noticed its tiny, crazy, chaotic twigs. Years ago, this would have intimidated me, causing me to not even try. This is exactly why, at some point, you must push yourself….grow….develop….and conquer what scares you.

No problem now, I did it!

In this world, we sometimes perceive things to be scary that are not at all scary. It prevents us from blooming and becoming who God created us to be. With a little help and our own step forward, we can do it.

I am currently praying for wisdom. The one who possesses wisdom can make choices and decisions without regret and find their true calling. Here is an interesting quote about wisdom:
“She [wisdom] is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, And happy are all who retain her.” Ps 3:18

I need me some of that.

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Posted in art, Artwork, Chicago, God, nature, Nature Sketching, sketchbook, sketchbook in the field, watercolor sketching

Tagged Christine Kane Art, ckane, Cook County Forest Preserves, crawdad slough, God, nature sketch, nature watercolor, praying, sketch, sketchbook, watercolor tree, winter tree sketch, winter tree watercolor, wisdom

Arrowhead Lake Sketch

Posted on November 29, 2010 | 2 Comments

Arrowhead Lake Freezing Rain watercolor sketch

Last Wednesday I stopped by Arrowhead Lake for just a few moments of nature tranquillity. This sketch may not look tranquil (the sky unleashed freezing rain, ice, and snow) but I was the only one in the parking lot. Yessssss.

The mallard ducks didn’t mind the weather either; the female followed the male all the way to the other end of the lake in a slow fashion. I was like a duck in my car, all nice and weatherproof, not minding what comes down from the clouds. The fast tapping of the rain on the roof was soothing too. I’ll have to record that sound one day. In just 45 short minutes I had my daily dose of vitamin nature. Have you had your vitamin today?

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Posted in art, Artwork, Birds, Landscape, mallard, nature, Nature Sketching, sketchbook, sketchbook in the field, weather, wildlife

Tagged arrowhead lake, Christine Kane Art, ckane, Cook County Forest Preserves, freezing rain, mallard, micron pen, sketch, sketchbook, watercolor sketch

Sketch Class Results November 2010

Posted on November 27, 2010 | 2 Comments

The free November sketch class at the Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center was a hit! As we took a short hike around the slough, we noticed something not seen last month. Can you find it in this picture?

HOT DOG…it’s a beaver lodge!!! Wow! Look at that structure. Beaver lodges can be made up of sticks, mud, grasses, and rocks. Sometimes you may find many lodges in a row, that’s called a beaver colony. Could this be one? Do you see that patch to the left of our beaver lodge? Is that the beginnings of another lodge in the form a colony? I don’t know. I will keep watching. Did you know that an entire beaver family can live in one lodge? That explains the enormous size. What terrific structural engineers, to design such a space which will keep them warm in the winter and protect them from natural enemies! Welcome beaver family to Long John Slough.

Alanna's artwork

Alanna’s exceptional sketch of November on the Slough. Great job!

Michelle's artwork

Michelle’s whitty watercolor of the November slough with beaver lodge. Awesome.

Chris' artwork

My interpretation of the slough in November with beaver lodge. Watercolor and micron pen.

To tell you the truth, we weren’t as brave as it may seem…look…we painted from inside. Can you blame us? At 9am, our Chicago weather left us with only 23°F!?! We’re crazy for nature, but not insane!

We had a wonder time enjoying nature and making a little souvenir sketch for us to take home. Maybe you can join us next time on January 29th?

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Posted in art, Artwork, Chicago, hiking, nature, Nature Sketching, sketchbook, sketchbook in the field, sketching class

Tagged art, Artwork, beaver lodge, beaver lodge painting, Christine Kane Art, Cook County Forest Preserves, free sketch class, IL, little red schoolhouse nature center, long john slough, sketch, sketchbook, watercolor sketch class, willow springs, zone 6

Summer Patio Sketch

Posted on August 6, 2010 | 6 Comments

Summer.
In my area it is time for summer. That time of year when the days are long and hot, the nights are short and cool and the crickets sing a soothing song. In my backyard, I have a tiny patio with a small table, perfect for getting away. When I can’t escape to the woods, I like to sit out there and listen to nature. It is my summer sanctuary.

Speaking of nature sounds…there is a great site you may want to visit called, The Music of Nature. It is a group of people whose mission is to celebrate the nature at hand by presenting sound recordings and videos. You can find samples of birds, insects, coyotes, and frogs.
Try it out, it’s just a bunch of fun!

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Posted in art, Artwork, nature sounds, sketchbook, sketchbook in the field

Tagged art, Artwork, Christine Kane Art, ckane, nature sounds, sketch, sketchbook, summer art, summer sketch, summer watercolor, watercolor, watercolor sketch, watercolor table