Wednesday, August 5, 2015

At the cabin, time and materials abound








Highbush Cranberry, watercolor,
12 x 16

It's berry season in the South Central Alaskan woods! This Highbush Cranberry is tart but flavorful, and full of bright red juice. I cut these samples a few hundred yards from my studio cabin.









Rosehips, watercolor, 10 x 7

The rose blossoms are gone, now here is the fruit, with leaves already showing signs of approaching autumn. Another specimen from around the cabin.






Amanita, watercolor and ink, 10 x 7

Here is an Amanita mushroom, with some of the forest richness attached. Not edible unless you want to go through a long process of leaching out the toxins, but a bright note in the forest. Another sign of summer waning, there were several just off the footpaths around the cabin.



Robin's Nest, pastel pencil, charcoal, and graphite, 12 x 16

The robin built her nest in the eaves of the studio cabin. Once the chicks were fledged, we took it down, as it was precariously balanced. The egg turned up on a footpath about 10 minutes away, probably part of a different nest. I love nests. This one has an orderly architecture of mud and dried grasses.



Black Cap Chickadee Nest with Eggs, silverpoint on prepared paper, 9 x 12

This specimen is from outside our house in Anchorage. We found it fallen from a tree, eggs all quite cold and some broken. In order to use them as models, I had to blow out their contents, difficult with an egg the size of the small joint of my little finger, but I managed it. The nest and eggs were delicate and light, perfect for a rendering in silverpoint.


For more information, and to find out about purchasing any of these pieces, please contact me at 


Saturday, July 11, 2015

Where There's Smoke . . .

This is a pen and ink drawing of a couple of objects I found at our cabin site. Sometimes two things seems to want to go together. It's a visual pun, I'm sure you will get it! It is currently on view as part of my solo show at Torchon Bistro in Anchorage.





Where There"s Smoke
7.23" x 10.5"

Pen and Ink on Paper

For more information, contact me at 

Friday, July 10, 2015

New Etchings

 In 2013 I began making etchings again, and posted some of my first work on this blog. You may recall the little guy with a sword. He grew up into this character. He may appear again in a different form. In the meantime he has become a kind of doorman.


"The Exit" 6" x 8" etching, monoprint


This character started out as a laughing plaster angel. He appeared in a painting some time ago. Since then he has become interested in geometry. He has both a comical and a serious side. He too may appear again.


"Rational" 4" x 6" etching, limited edition of 15

Here we are in Paradise, with intimations of things to come. Were we ever meant to be so peaceful and relaxed, not to say lazy?


"Before the Fall"  5.5" x 5", etching, limited edition in progress.

Now we learn to fall, possibly having been too prideful. Personally, I prefer this version of the Fall of Man over the one where Eve gets all the blame. 


"The Fall" 6" x 5", etching, limited edition in progress

All but "The Exit" were printed on my new (used) press.  Having a press is an inspiration, there will be more etchings.

You can see all of these right now at my solo show, available through July, at Torchon Bistro, 1921 W Dimond Blvd, Anchorage, AK.