Hiking & Painting in Nature – Chicago
Clouds are rolling in from the northwest. Diffused sunlight still sparkles and dances on top of Bullfrog Lake, despite all of the clouds. It is a pleasant and cool breeze which brushes up against my skin and refreshes me. The same breeze that plays music in between the leaves on top of the trees. And maybe still, it is … Continue reading Blessings and Fears at Bullfrog Lake
I escaped to the woods. I am on the hunt for I don't know what. Will I find peace of mind? Will I find a revelation? Will I just explore? I pray it is all or any of these! It is a mild 55°F. There is no wind and the sky is overcast. The air … Continue reading Wolf Road Woods Watercolor Sketch
Oh tired and sleepy trees - wake up! It's Spring! Winter's death grip has finally loosened up in the Chicago area. Wheeeew...it's been a long one. The grass has responded but the trees are still silent. Maybe this week of constant warm weather will liven them up? Yesterday I went to Papoose Lake because I … Continue reading A Very Late Spring Sketch – Papoose Lake
Bittersweet. The definition: Of pain and pleasure. For how can we know pleasure without knowing what pain is? We can't. How we wish we could eliminate the pain...but it is impossible. We must accept it and it does make us stronger. Anyway, last Sunday I went walking at Turtlehead Lake during an unseasonably warm day. … Continue reading Of Pain and Pleasure Sketch
Just as I started this sketch, an elderly couple sat at the picnic table to enjoy the surroundings of Swallow Cliff South. Talking to each other and occasionally smiling, my heart became tender. Tears started to well, but I kept my big girl pants on and held it together.... This was a future I thought … Continue reading Swallow Cliff South Sketch
Maple Lake A blustery day this was as I sat in my car and sketched from the parking area. I was waaaaay under dressed to be sitting outside for an hour painting. It was very windy, so windy that the waters were choppy and there were no reflections on the lake. Sometimes even a quick … Continue reading Maple Lake Watercolor Sketch
Thunderstorms raced throughout the night before, leaving this morning's sketch class pretty warm and steamy. It didn't bother us a bit. Matter of fact, under the cool shadow of the forest, the most delightful aroma of sweet, wet, earth played with our senses. We all agreed how wonderful it was. Here we took shelter, hiding from the sun … Continue reading Sketch Class Results June 2012
About a week ago, I made a mid-day hike in the summer heat at Red Gate Woods. Crazy? Maybe. I didn't realize how humid it was until going up several steep hills on the orange trail. When the back of your shirt becomes saturated with sweat...it's humid. Yuck. What was yummy on the other hand, was all … Continue reading Red Gate Woods Sketch
Oh the treasures in nature! How can I express such joy from my adventures in the woods with simple text? Not possible. Well, let's try... Yesterday I decided to walk the yellow trail from Pioneer Woods. It was a cold but strong sunny day. In the late afternoon light, the bare trees took on a golden … Continue reading Coyote Skull Sketch
The cold realities of winter did not hinder our love for art and nature. All eager participants showed up bright and early on this frosty January morning, ready to get to work play. We did however, agree to sketch from inside the nature center as the wind was fierce and the wind chill was in the … Continue reading Sketch Class Results Jan 2012
