​​This page is devoted to a new journey. I have been painting with acrylic on canvas for a few years and I decided to try something new: colored pencil. I have discovered that I really like this medium- it is easy to layer colors, has the ability to provide great detail, and very portable. I take my sketchbook with me to the bus and work. I plan on taking my sketchbook and colored pencils with me on my next journey. 
Sunflowers
The sunflower drawing is approximately 18 x 24 and it has been a very challenging piece. I am not used to working with yellow and before I started drawing a sunflower, I had no idea how many colors could be found in the center. For the center, I used orange, dark purple, lime green, sienna, and violet. 

I added a four bees to the image for interest. I have a lot of work left to do; I have about 6 sunflowers to work on, the sky needs additional layers and the jungle of greens needs depth. 
​I absolutely love old photographs! I recently came across an old 1940 photograph of my grandma and her sister changing the tire on an old Model T. I would love to hear the story behind the picture. I love the shoes on the bumper of the car. I decided to render the drawing in gray tones because I like the antique feel. Working with just gray proved to be more challenging than I expected, The drawing in progress is about halfway complete.
 I wanted to spend some time focusing on the beauty of Illinois. The first drawing in this series is inspired by a hike in Starved Rock State Park. In this drawing, I tried to capture the subtle misty water falling  from the waterfall. I also wanted feature the logs; the shape and feel of the dead wood resting in the slow moving water filled with rocks and leaves left over from fall. 
​
Since this hike, Jim and I have been exploring Southern Illinois Shawnee Forest. I am really excited to add to this series. My next drawing will be inspired by Bell Springs. 
Here is my latest drawing inspired by a hike in Dayton, TN. Jim and I decided to stop at Laurel Snow State Natural Area to hike to see 2 waterfalls. Although we were unable to find the waterfalls, the hike was very nice. We spent a majority of the time wading in the water and climbing over the gorgeous rocks in the bed. It was quite the adventure! I just started this drawing and have the larger rocks almost complete. The oval shaped rock has just the "base" coat; I will start layering the pencil to show the flowing water. I am looking forward to finishing this!
This is my latest work drawing. 18 x 24 and the largest drawing I have started to date. I have a majority of the initial drawing complete. Once the initial drawing is close to being finished, it will be time to layer the color - my favorite part!
Picture
Picture
Hiking in Panthertown
Picture
In progress photo of Underwater World. See the gallery page for the finished piece!
Along the Trail; Starved Rock State Park. 8 x 10 Colored Pencil
The colored pencil drawing was inspired by a spring hike to Starved Rock State Park. I caught a glimpse of the reflection of trees in the water as I was walking by. I had to stop and see the interesting shape of rock and colors. 
Picture
Virginia Falls: East Glacier National Park. 7 x 10
When Jim and I journeyed to East Glacier in Montana, I was immediately inspired to paint this journey. It was a colorful hike; the rocks were light red and blue and the water was turquoise. This colored pencil drawing was inspired by the path to Virginia Falls. The water was very active that day- rushing around the rocks- carrying such power and beauty along the way, 
This is my first completed color pencil drawing. I quickly discovered the vast difference between paint and colored pencil, especially with layering color and the process of working from light to dark. I am learning so much and I love this journey. I cannot wait to see finish my next waterfall.