Scribbles and Jots

Steve Jobs portrait

2012-01-19T14:32:00.000-08:00

Today everything is snowed in, so I'm working from home. While I was on a conference call, I made this portrait of Steve Jobs from this photo. I was inspired by this portrait by Barbara Luel.

JKPP Carolyn Pappas

2012-01-19T09:41:00.000-08:00

I started this painting by making the basic outlines in light blue with a brush. It's light enough that I can make corrections later. I think this gives me a little more freedom. From this photo of Carolyn Pappas.

JKPP Roderick again

2012-01-18T10:01:00.000-08:00

This is my second attempt to paint this marvelous photo of Roderick. This is the largest portrait I've done yet...probably 15" by 20" for the whole painting. I like the way the face came out, especially since I didn't use pencil to draw the face, but I started right in with a light cobalt blue painting of the face and hat. Then I added washes of cadmium yellow, winsor red and ultramarine to define the face.

House Post at the Seattle Art Museum

2012-01-13T20:44:00.000-08:00

Today was my son Guy's birthday, and to celebrate we took the ferry to Seattle to visit the Seattle Art Museum. The Northwest native American art exhibit there is excellent. This is a Kwakwaks'wakw house post ca. 1800. The carvings are massive and deeply incised, giving it great power. The age of the pole shows in the dark fissures and missing areas.

JKPP Roderick

2012-01-12T23:31:00.000-08:00

My son Guy gave me an easel for Christmas and I tried it out with this portrait. The easel makes everything different because I hold my brushes differently and I have a different perspective on the painting. So much better! Thanks, Guy.

This portrait is taken from this photo.

Two paintings of Luli

2012-01-07T10:15:00.000-08:00

I did two paintings of this photo of Luligirl for Julia Kay's Portrait Party. I wasn't satisfied with the first one, below, so I did it again. This time I got the proportions better and did a little better with lights and darks.

Last watercolor of the year

2011-12-31T21:59:00.000-08:00

It's New Year's Eve, and I want to get one more post in this blog so I can equal last year's total posts of 109. This portrait is of Zaid, an Iraqi, from this photo. Looking back, I have to say I've improved quite a bit from last year. Participating in the Julia Kay Portrait Party has helped me step up a notch. Happy New Year, everyone!

Tracyton community building

2011-12-31T16:42:00.000-08:00

This building sits at the center of Tracyton, right across from the Tracyton Public House and the Texaco station. It's sadly dilapidated and needs to be torn down, but it was once a community building and the heart of Tracyton community life.

My favorite Starbucks

2011-12-31T16:40:00.000-08:00

This is the view of my favorite Starbucks from the parking lot.

Starbucks gal

2011-12-31T16:37:00.000-08:00

Sketched this girl at Starbucks recently, then added watercolor later.

Arjen Stilklik for JKPP

2011-12-30T22:46:00.000-08:00

I like this face a lot. He looks intelligent, with a sense of humor, and yet plain and honest. From this photo.

Eagle Harbor Congregational Church, Bainbridge Island

2011-12-30T22:43:00.000-08:00

Eagle Harbor Congregational Church sits at one end of downtown Winslow, and it is a charming 19th century building. I made this sketch after my appointment a couple of weeks ago.

Patricio Villarreol for JKPP

2011-12-29T22:37:00.000-08:00

I made this portrait of Patricio Villarreol for Julia Kay's Portrait Party from this photo.

La Push Boats 3

2011-12-29T22:28:00.000-08:00

In the afternoon, Guy and I hiked to Second Beach and experienced the surf right up next to the driftwood logs. The tide was high and we couldn't hike along the beach, so I went back to the harbor and made another watercolor. Found a little more color this time.

La Push Boats 2

2011-12-29T22:24:00.000-08:00

The first morning in La Push, I drove to the harbor parking lot and spent several hours working on this watercolor. It was a lot of fun...the rain beating down on the car, wind blowing across the harbor, classical music on the radio. I had a lot of trouble finding color because the day was so gray, and I had difficulty deciding what should be dark and what should be light. Also I had trouble filling so much paper with watercolor washes. Despite my best efforts, the boat is way too long in proportion to its height. Let's call it a learning experience.

La Push Boats 1

2011-12-29T22:19:00.000-08:00

Two days after Christmas, Katy, Guy and I went to La Push, a small Indian village on the Olympic coast. Guy and I visited this place when we finished our hike on the Olympic coast two years ago, and we found it utterly charming. The natural setting is awe-inspiring, with huge breakers crashing up against big rock formations, the Quillayute River mouth rushing past the docks, ramshackle houses and boats, and a cozy harbor just inside the breakers.

The first evening we were there, I painted these boats form a photo hanging in the motel room as the rain and wind beat on the motel windows.

Frederic Glorieux for JKPP

2011-12-26T12:08:00.000-08:00

From this photo of Frederic Glorieux. He has a wonderful face for painting. I painted this without any pencil lines for reference and I'm happy that I got the basic shape of his face.

Sketchmanni for JKPP

2011-12-25T22:08:00.000-08:00

I made this portrait of Sketchmanni for JKPP. Got a little carried away with the darks at the back of the head.

Tim Schorre 2

2011-12-22T23:02:00.000-08:00

After I made a pencil sketch, I made this watercolor of Tim Schorre. I'm getting used to using three colors: cadmium yellow for the undercoat, winsor red for the next layer, and cobalt blue for the shadows. The three colors seem to give a lifelike glow to the skin.

Tim Schorre 1

2011-12-22T22:58:00.000-08:00

I've been busy lately getting ready for Christmas Eve, but tonight I had some time to make a couple of portraits. Here's a pencil sketch of Tim Schorre for the Julia Kay Portrait party.

Peace

2011-12-17T07:44:00.000-08:00

I made this watercolor to use as a Christmas card for my parishioners. I copied it on white paper and sent it to about 75 people with a personalized message on each one. It took a lot of time but it's worth it.

Man on the bus

2011-12-15T22:47:00.000-08:00

I sketched this man on the bus on my way to a meeting at DHouse in Seattle.

Doing the crossword puzzle

2011-12-15T22:46:00.001-08:00

This woman was an excellent model for me today as I was riding the ferry to Seattle.

Ramon Carlos Valor portrait

2011-12-14T23:48:00.000-08:00

A portrait of Ramon Carlos Valor for Julia Kay's Portrait Party. From this photo. I'm having a lot of fun making portraits of other artists in JKPP.

Claire Billinger portrait

2011-12-14T23:45:00.000-08:00

A portrait of Claire Billlinger for Julia Kay's Portrait party. From this photo.

Portrait of Magi

2011-12-09T18:07:00.001-08:00

I just joined Julia Kay's Portrait Party, an online group of artists who draw each other's portraits and post them online. This is Magi Patet,a member of the group.

Alan Futterman, conductor

2011-12-09T09:30:00.001-08:00

Last night while I was waiting to sing with the chorale, I made this sketch of Alan Futterman, the conductor of the Bremerton Symphony.

Tympani

2011-12-09T09:28:00.001-08:00

During rehearsals for our last concert, I sat behind the tympani and made this sketch while we were listening to the orchestra.

Just a few lines

2011-12-06T19:04:00.001-08:00

I made a quick sketch of the guy sitting next to me at Starbucks and was pleased with the likeness I got with just a few lines.

Streamliner Diner

2011-12-02T14:32:00.001-08:00

This morning I drove to Bainbridge Island to have breakfast at my favorite restaurant, the Streamliner Diner. made this sketch of the counter patrons. While I was sketching, the waitress looked over my shoulder and said, "There's a guy at the other end of the counter sketching, too." Turns out he's Jim Van Dremmelin, and he creates paintings on ostrich eggs for gifts. He showed me his sketchbook. Wonderful ideas and images.

Later I colored the sketch:

Port of Seattle

2011-12-02T14:30:00.001-08:00

When I got on the ferry, I had a few minutes to sketch this view of the Seattle Port before the ferry left the terminal. I love the huge ships and the cranes.

Seattle Ferry Terminal

2011-12-02T14:29:00.001-08:00

On the way back from the Quiet Day, I arrived at the ferry terminal early, so I made this sketch of cars lining up to go on the ferry.

Ferry commuter

2011-12-02T14:26:00.001-08:00

I went to Seattle yesterday for the Quiet Day for clergy at Emmanuel, Mercer Island. On the 7:20 ferry I made this sketch of a ferry commuter working his smartphone.

A couple of portraits

2011-11-24T23:42:00.001-08:00

On a nice leisurely Thanksgiving evening, I made this sketch from a photo at http://www.flickr.com/photos/35841101@N07/6329918745/in/set-72157627968688369

I made this portrait from a photo at http://www.flickr.com/photos/samika/5646945374/in/set-72157626560263866

Tracyton Boulevard Scene

2011-11-18T15:38:00.001-08:00

I ♥ Tracyton. This tree is not too far from us, just off Tracyton Boulevard.

Tracyton trees

2011-11-18T15:36:00.001-08:00

It's a beautiful fall day in Tracyton. The fall covers are gorgeous, so I found this spot near Tracyton Boulevard to watercolor.

St. Barnabas, Bainbridge Island

2011-11-16T21:40:00.001-08:00

On Monday I was in Bainbridge Island and stopped by St. Barnabas to make this sketch. The old church sits among the lovely fall colors.

Symphony rehearsal

2011-11-14T22:17:00.001-08:00

Tonight we had a rehearsal of the Bremerton Symphony and I made a few sketches of the musicians.

Tree Layers

2011-11-11T23:46:00.001-08:00

In this watercolor, I'm trying to get a feeling of depth.

Mickleberry Barn

2011-11-11T23:43:00.001-08:00

Silverdale is a place of contrasts. If you drive a short distance from the Starbucks and the Albertson's grocery store, you go down a country lane with an old barn that is as rural as can be.

Pheasant hunters waiting for a plane

2011-11-10T23:32:00.001-08:00

While waiting for my plane in the Sioux Falls airport, I sketched these pheasant hunters. South Dakota is a destination spot this time of year for pheasant hunters who come from all around the country.

Calvary Cathedral, Sioux Falls, SD

2011-11-10T23:29:00.001-08:00

I attended Dakota Experience, a workshop on the history and culture of the Dakota people, at Calvary Episcopal Cathedral in Sioux Falls, SD. During lunch break, I made this sketch.

La Junta Mill

2011-11-10T23:23:00.001-08:00

This is the La Junta Mill, a grain elevator and feed store in La Junta, a wonder of old sheetmetal, tubes, elevators and storage silos. As I sketched, a cowboy came up to me and asked what I was doing. Turns out he's the son of the owners. The whole place has been condemned as unsafe and they're trying to figure out how to find a new location.

La Junta Post Office

2011-11-10T23:14:00.001-08:00

While I was visiting my mother in La Junta, I made this sketch of the Post Office. It's a wonderfully ornate building, built in 1915, and presides over the entire downtown.

The train to SeaTac

2011-11-10T22:20:00.001-08:00

I took the train the train to SeaTac airport on the way to Colorado to visit my family. I sketched this woman dozing on the train to the airport.

While waiting for my flight at the airport, I sketched this Native American mask in a display case.

Guanyin Boddhisattva

2011-10-30T15:25:00.001-07:00

Yesterday I got on the ferry to go to a meeting in Seattle. I sat down and started reading the minutes from the last meeting, which said that the meeting was in tacoma, not Seattle! I couldn't get them to turn the ferry around, so I had to go to Seattle and missed my meeting. I decided that God must have wanted me to visit the Seattle Art Museum rather than go to a meeting. I made this sketch of the Guanyin Boddhisattva and watercolored it at home.

Starbucks couple

2011-10-15T16:04:00.000-07:00

As usual, working on my sermon in Starbucks on Saturday afternoon. Took a short break to make this sketch.

Two boats

2011-10-14T21:40:00.000-07:00

Point White Drive is a lovely ambling drive on the outside of Bainbridge Island. I stopped and made this watercolor of the two old boats drawn up on the shore.

Bainbridge alley

2011-10-14T21:36:00.000-07:00

Today I had a cup of coffee outside Blackbird Coffee in downtown Bainbridge Island. There are tables and umbrellas in the adjacent alley, and people congregate there naturally. A good public space.

Rooster cafe coffee group

2011-10-14T21:34:00.000-07:00

Last Monday I had coffee at Roosters Cafe in Bainbridge Island. There's a group of retired guys that like to have coffee together. They look like they enjoy each other..

Baptismal font...in a meeting

2011-10-14T21:31:00.000-07:00

Last Saturday I attended a meeting at St. Paul's Episcopal church. From where I sat, I could see the baptismal font in the middle of the center aisle.

Starbucks guy

2011-10-14T21:29:00.000-07:00

Couldn't resist capturing this guy in Starbucks.

Airport people

2011-10-14T21:25:00.000-07:00

One of the nice things about sketching is that it makes the time go faster when you're waiting, like in an airport. Here are a couple of people in the Jackson, MS airport.

A southern porch...and chapel

2011-10-14T21:23:00.000-07:00

From September 26 to October 3, I attended a CREDO Conference at Duncan gray Conference Center in Mississippi. There's a wonderful covered porch with rocking chairs (what could be more southern?).

I attempted a watercolor of the lovely chapel at the conference center. Here's the thumbnail sketch I made...the watercolor didn't turn out that well!

Tracyton farm shed

2011-09-23T16:40:00.000-07:00

This afternoon on my day off, I stopped by this old farm shed just off Tracyton Boulevard. Recently the house in front of it was vacated, so I was able to walk right up under the big maple tree and set up. I like the juicy colors of the tree trunk and the distance of the shed and the trees.

The old Peterson barn

2011-09-16T19:37:00.000-07:00

Last Tuesday I walked on the Clear Creek trail and made this sketch of the old barn on the Peterson farm, and today I made it into a painting. This barn is a beautiful relic from the old days when Silverdale was a farming community. This Sunday is the Peterson Farm Fall Fair, a fundraiser to help save the Peterson farm and keep it from becoming a big housing project.

Silverdale Farmer's Market

2011-09-16T19:19:00.000-07:00

Last Tuesday after breakfast I drove to Old Town Silverdale where the Farmer's Market booths were being set up. I made this quick watercolor.

Mountain

2011-09-16T18:45:00.000-07:00

Using my Mt. Townsend sketch as a starting point, I made this watercolor of a mountain scene. I'm trying to move to a bigger format...11 by 17 instead of 7 by 11. This means I'm forced to use a lot more paint and water, which helps me loosen up.

Tacoma street scene

2011-09-16T18:42:00.000-07:00

After I dropped Katy off at the airport, I stopped in Tacoma to paint a street scene. This is downtown Tacoma.

2011-08-30T21:59:00.000-07:00

Last week I hiked up Mt. Townsend in the Olympic mountains. While recovering at the top, I made this ink sketch of the awesome view.

After I got back home, I added watercolor to the ink drawing.

Metolius River

2011-08-20T22:06:00.000-07:00

We camped at a campsite near the Metolius River, a beautiful spot.

Here's a photo of the same spot.

Chad and Brittany's house in bend

2011-08-20T22:03:00.000-07:00

We visited our son, Chad, and his girlfriend, Brittany. This is their house in Bend.

Streamliner Diner

2011-08-20T22:01:00.000-07:00

On the first day of my summer vacation, I drove to Bainbridge Island for a treat - breakfast at the Streamliner Diner. While I was sitting at the counter, I made this sketch of the cook.

I also made this sketch of a couple having breakfast.

Watercolor workshop

2011-08-09T21:58:00.000-07:00

I attended a workshop by Robin Weiss at Knowles Studio in Poulsbo. Robin did a demo for us in which he emphasized finding a light subject and giving it a dark background so the subject "pops" out. I made the background dark, but I overdid it...it needs some variety.

Robin also pointed out that most of us need to use more water and more pigment, to create that juicy watercolor feel. I'm guilty of scrimping on the paint. Gotta loosen up. But overall it was a great day with my painting friends and I learned a lot. Really appreciated Robin's comments and suggestions.

Another painting of the same subject.

Another treatment of the same subject, trying to loosen up.

Still another attempt to loosen up.

Tracyton Cemetery

2011-08-03T20:51:00.000-07:00

Today I found the Tracyton Cemetery (didn't even know there was one until someone told me). It's a quiet, peaceful place, delightfully neglected, with tall fir trees and old gravestones scattered through the woods.

Johnson Street in Tracyton

2011-07-22T14:33:00.000-07:00

This is about a block away from our house in Tracyton.

Distractions at Starbucks

2011-07-21T22:40:00.000-07:00

Trying to work on my sermon on Paul's letter to the Romans this afternoon, got a little distracted and my fingers decided to make a sketch instead.

Big skies

2011-07-15T22:17:00.000-07:00

I've been working on skies, especially clouds in the sky. This is tonight's attempt.

Old Town, Silverdale

2011-07-13T22:21:00.000-07:00

I made this painting at lunch today.

Upper Eagle Harbor, Bainbridge Island

2011-07-13T22:18:00.000-07:00

After my appointment in Bainbridge Island on July 11, I made this sketch of a house in the upper reaches of Eagle Harbor.

Plein air painting day with PAL

2011-07-13T22:16:00.000-07:00

On July 6, the Poulsbo Artists League had a plein air painting day at Roger Bacon's house on Hood Canal. This is his neighbor's house.

After I painted the house, I made this sketch of one of the other painters.

Scandia Bay

2011-07-01T16:25:00.000-07:00

I made a watercolor of the bay off Scandia Road that looks into Liberty Bay, then I re-painted it a couple times. The first painting is the original, the other two were done at home.

Starbucks portraits

2011-06-18T16:49:00.000-07:00

Today as I was working on my sermon in Starbucks, I sketched these interesting faces.

Camping at Ft. Flagler State Park

2011-06-18T09:32:00.000-07:00

last night Guy and I camped overnight at Ft. Flagler State Park near Port Townsend. A lovely spot, and a very relaxing evening.

Trial headers for my weekly email

2011-05-30T19:31:00.003-07:00

I'm experimenting with different headers for my "Hello From the Vicar" weekly email. Here are a couple of watercolor slices that I'm trying out.

Irrigation ditch

2011-05-25T18:31:00.000-07:00

I'm visiting my mother in Southeastern Colorado. This afternoon, after cleaning up her flower beds, I drove into the country. This part of the world is mostly bare and dry, except for the places where water flows. There are irrigation ditches for the fields, and they are lovely ribbons of water with giant cottonwood trees at intervals. I made this ketch of an irrigation ditch with a big cottonwood.

La Junta house

2011-05-24T14:17:00.000-07:00

While visiting my mother in La Junta, CO, I made this sketch of a house.

This is the value sketch I made for the watercolor.

Old Main

2011-05-24T14:15:00.001-07:00

While waiting for the high school graduation of my nephew, David Fulton-Beale, I made this sketch of Old main on the University of Colorado campus.

Photographer

2011-05-24T14:14:00.000-07:00

While attending the graduation of my nephew, Ben Fulton, I made this sketch of a photographer waiting on bended knee.

Ferry commuter

2011-05-17T08:22:00.000-07:00

Made this sketch while riding the ferry to Seattle. he was sitting with a group of friends, all of them working on their computers as they commuted to work.

The road to Emmaus

2011-05-07T20:08:00.000-07:00

Jesus walked with two of the disciples to Emmaus, but they didn't recognize him.

Old Peterson farm

2011-05-06T17:23:00.000-07:00

Today I walked on the Clear Creek trail north of Silverdale and made this sketch of the old Peterson Farm at the upper meadows. I did a sketch of this barn last December. You can see it here.

David Millard's boats

2011-05-06T17:20:00.000-07:00

I'm working through David Millard's book, The Joy of Watercolor. This is a watercolor from a sketch in the book.

Car repairs

2011-05-02T18:38:00.001-07:00

Just before dinner, I looked out the patio door and saw three guys down the street leaning over a car with the hood open, so I made this sketch.

My sons playing video games

2011-04-27T22:15:00.000-07:00

On Sunday I drove to Portland to spend some time with my two sons. While they were playing video games, I made this sketch.

Christ in Gethsemane

2011-04-22T09:48:00.000-07:00

"Going a little further, Jesus threw himself on the ground and prayed, 'My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me.'" Matthew 26:39

Inspired by http://wesleyhill.tumblr.com/post/2313836370/christ-in-gethsemane-by-michael-d-obrien

Port Gamble house

2011-04-15T20:55:00.000-07:00

Today I drove to Port Gamble, an old mill town where everything was owned by The Company. The old houses are still there, kept up in all their Victorian splendor, surrounded by spacious lawns. I made a watercolor of this simple old house.

Entry Into Jerusalem

2011-04-11T23:29:00.000-07:00

On Palm Sunday, we remember Jesus entry into Jerusalem seated on a donkey, to fulfill the prophecy that the king would come on a donkey. This sketch is a copy of an 1860 print by Julius Schnorr von Carolsfeld.

The Valley of Dry Bones

2011-04-11T23:24:00.000-07:00

The prophet Ezekiel had a vision in which he saw a valley full of dry bones. God told him to prophesy to the bones, and they came alive. God said, "This is my people Israel."

The man born blind

2011-04-01T16:57:00.000-07:00

Jesus spat on the ground, made mud with the saliva and spread the mud on the man's eyes. John 9:6

Bayne Cottage

2011-04-01T16:55:00.000-07:00

Last night we stayed at Bayne Cottage, a beach cabin on Hood Canal given as a clergy retreat. It's a wonderful cabin, perched out over the water, with views of Hood Canal and the Olympic Mountains (or like this morning, lots of fog). We had a peaceful getaway that was good for both of us.

Jesse anointed David

2011-03-28T21:57:00.000-07:00

After Jesse called his youngest son, David, the Lord said to Samuel, "Rise and anoint him, for this is the one."

2011-03-27T22:40:00.000-07:00

Jesse's sons. 1 Samuel 16:10.

The Samaritan Woman

2011-03-25T00:05:00.000-07:00

The woman at the well.

Moses struck the rock

2011-03-23T23:19:00.000-07:00

One of the strongest images in the Bible is the story of the Israelites complaining in the desert that they have no water. Moses prays to the LORD, who tells him to take his staff and strike the rock. Moses strikes the rock, and the water flows.

Ever afterward, the story was remembered as a time of unfaithfulness at Massah and Meribah.

Jesus was tired

2011-03-22T23:35:00.000-07:00

In the story of Jesus and the woman at the well, I imagine Jesus dozing as he rested from his journey.

Nicodemus came to Jesus at night

2011-03-18T22:54:00.001-07:00

In John 3, Nicodemus comes to Jesus at night. Did he come at night because he didn't want to be seen by others, or because he wanted a private interview? Either way, it seems like a furtive, daring mission by Nicodemus. He was a seeker who couldn't keep away from this Jesus who was so intriguing.

Abraham with his flocks

2011-03-18T22:53:00.000-07:00

I imagine Abraham travelling with all his flocks and herds and lots of people. Must have been a slow journey as they let the sheep and animals graze along the way.

Abraham the patriarch

2011-03-18T22:52:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I made a sketch of the wrong lesson. The Old Testament lesson for Sunday is about Abraham. God said to Abraham, "Go from your country and your kindred and your father's house to the land that I will show you." (Genesis 12:1) My image of Abraham is that he had a strong face.

The people quarreled with Moses

2011-03-13T23:12:00.000-07:00

In the Old Testament lesson for next Sunday, the people quarrel with Moses in the desert, saying, "Give us water to drink."