On the 3rd Stone

2011-06-21T11:36:00.000-07:00

On my daily walk

summer at Westmoreland Park

geese, ducks, watch your step

November 16, 2010 A Little Lunchtime Homework

2010-11-16T12:56:00.000-08:00

Studying for my radio license upgrade there are a number of new frequency privileges that I will be entitled to use. Part of the examination will be to know randomly what those frequencies are by band. I have made flash cards to aid with the memorization of these frequency allocations and bit by bit I will have them mentally at hand. Well, at least that is the plan. There is lot to learn beyond these frequencies. Eventually I will be relearning some basic electronics and radio theory.

The Archimedes Codex

2010-11-16T11:24:00.000-08:00

The Archimedes Codex : How A Medieval Prayer Book Is Revealing The True Genius Of Antiquity's Greatest Scientist by Reviel Netz & William Noel was a very fascinating read. It is both a story of how an ancient Greek text was salvaged from the repurposing of those plimpisets for use as a prayer book in Medieval days. While the destruction of the original text may have caused this work of Archimedes to be lost forever, this destruction actually saved the text. Part of the book is dedicated to the process of removing the text of the prayer book and restoring the original writings by means of the latest scientific processes.

What was found underneath all the later work was a fascinating scientific work that changed the way we have thought about early Greek science. Greek science did not have a pure concept of infinity. They did have an understanding of many many that they were able to conceptualize, but that fell far short of pure thought of infinity. Infinity is pure thought experiment. That Archimedes conceptualized it forces a rethinking. With the notion of infinity the groundwork for Calculus begins and Archimedes had taken a leap well before later "inventors" of the mathematics. The reading of this particular codex has revealed the genius of this ancient Greek scientist.

The book took some time to read because it was slow going in places, however, I only read in short sections as I had several other books in progress at the time. IN a sense this was two stories in one. The process of restoration and the mathematical implications of what was found in the text itself. If you are interested in ancient science and mathematics I would recommend this book.

Health update

2010-11-16T08:12:00.000-08:00

It has been some time when I last posted anything at all on this blog. I have seen several different doctors for various ailments and have managed to find solutions for most of the problems afflicting me.

One of the appointments that has helped me was a visit to the diabetes center at OHSU. This appointment was with a nutritionist who gave me some guidance on reading food labels on packaged goods as well as what to allow for with natural foods that don't have nutrition labels pasted on the side. Since I was given a weight loss goal by one of my doctors the nutritionist gave me a low carbohydrate goal which would facilitate weight loss, and to help ease my high blood pressure a low sodium goal. How I combine the foods to reach that goal is up to me but he did stress that green veggies are free and do not count against my limits of carbs.

Since that appointment I have been successful losing weight. At one point in time during the last few years my weight had started approaching 250 pounds. According to medical studies, I should properly be around 180-190 pounds, with 180 the ideal goal. Using a starting point of September 3, 2010 and a weight of 225 pounds, I have been making steady progress towards my goals. The first benchmark that I have set for myself is 200 pounds even.

This first benchmark goal is nearly within reach. A few weeks ago I spent nearly 3 weeks running between 207 and 209 pounds and it seemed at the time that I had stalemated and was going to have difficulty moving forward. Fortunately, that was only temporary. As my digestive health specialist indicated to me at my last visit, I am doing this weight loss the right way. Small chunks of loss and holding steady will make success far more lasting than large losses at once. Slow and steady as she goes. I have now spent a week weighing in at 203-204 pounds. The mark of 200 now seems just within my grasp and I should be there in the next week or so if the progression in my medical logbook holds out to be the trend I seem to have.

I did say medical logbook. I have one of those school composition books with the black and white marbled cardboard covers that I have added columns for the purposes of recording daily everything of importance regarding my health. I have columns for my daily weight, blood sugar readings, my blood pressure, and pulse. I also have a column which I can record other information along with notes about diet that might impact my blood sugars. This is important to remind me that the late night Fig Newtons might result in an elevated blood sugar reading in the morning. I loved science in school and some of the first lessons always involved observation and the recording of those observations. This logbook is just a way for the science geek in me to come out. Incidently I also have a logbook where I have been recording outside temperatures, usually several times a day. I think I have to get myself one of those wireless weather stations so I can really let the geek fly.

In December of 2009 I had surgery to remove my prostate as I was found to have cancer. I have had regular followups since that time and am currently on a 3 month cycle. I have a followup next month and I believe after this appointment I will be going to a 6 month cycle. All blood tests since the surgery have not shown any signs of elevated PSA levels. They have been non-detectable. All good news. I am still having some issues with incontenance. I am much better with that since there has been improvement earlier but seem to have had stopped making improvements. I think that this may be changing. It seems that my nighttime condition may be approaching normal again with very minimal leakage. I also have seen a little bit of improvement during the day.

My blood pressure is being controlled with medications. I had been as high as 186/ and normally around the 160s/. Regular checking shows that I am at a much more managable 100 to 110s/ with occasional readings in the 120s/. This in combination with trying to get my good cholesterol up should keep the heart reasonably healthy. It takes a licking but keeps on ticking. Move over Energizer bunny.

I think I will stop for now. This posting will accomplish the goal of actually using this blog which I have set up and left idle for months, as well as let anyone who is interested my current state of health. As long as I am here doing some thinking, I am thinking it has been too long since I have posted any drawings. I should try to change that.

January 14, 2010

2010-01-15T09:31:00.000-08:00

Made it through 59 years.

Wonder what year 60 will bring.

Time has passed quickly

TGIFish Friday December 4, 2009

2009-12-04T07:18:00.000-08:00

Capoeta Titteya or Cherry Barb. For my TGIFish Friday piece this week I decided to use the ATC format. Color pencil on Bristol.

Grand Central Bakery

2009-12-03T07:25:00.000-08:00

I wanted to get my hand into drawing buildings in urban environments. I am not that happy with it for a couple of reasons. As I was concentrating on the building I got caught up in the building itself and didn't leave myself blank areas to put in some foreground items such as the Trimet route/stop sign. I will probably try this one again as this place makes a really good egg salad sandwich on olive bread.

December 2, 2009

2009-12-03T07:22:00.000-08:00

We can't be certain, but I believe I know why we are unlikely to find badgers on Saturn's moon Titan. Color pencil in Moleskine

December 1, 2009

2009-12-02T07:34:00.000-08:00

One of my favorites is the Science Channel. Last night I watched an episode of The Universe on the theme of liquids in the universe. When thinking of liquids we often consider only liquid H2O or water. The program took us to Saturn's moon Titan. There with temperatures of around -290 degrees water ice would be rock solid, however Methane would be in a liquid form rather than a gas as it would be here on Earth. Liquid methane would present different properties than liquid water. Liquid methane is less dense, clearer due to not breaking down materials as water does. Methane being less dense than water it was suggested that, for a 200 pound man, trying to dogpaddle in liquid methane it would be like trying to do so in water with an 80 weight wrapped around them. Then again, it would be a brave soul who would do so considering that the temperature would be around -290 degrees. Jupiter is a whole different set of circumstances with pressures and temps increasing to the point that liquid hydrogen appears. Continuing further the liquid hydrogen becomes liquid metallic hydrogen. From various computer generated images I sketched this small sketchbook image and an ATC taken from the sketchbook.

November 22, 2009

2009-11-23T07:21:00.000-08:00

Color pencil on paper. Spent Saturday morning watching the grandkids. I spent a lot of the time with my feet elevated to get swelling down, but there was some time spent with them on my lap as we checked Papa's farm, cafe, and roller coaster park on facebook. No visit is ever complete without the light saber fight.

Imaginary landscape

2009-11-23T07:19:00.000-08:00

Just playing with the color pencils.

TGiFF

2009-11-20T07:30:00.000-08:00

I was in kind of a funk last night about what to sketch. Since the following day was Friday I thought this might be a good time to revive a theme I used for a time last year. Thank God it's Fish Friday. To kick off I did this little Puntius Tetrazona or Tiger Barb. Many years ago I used to have several aquariums and I always had a few of these. They could be aggressive but I never really had any trouble from them. The occasional nipped fin was about all I would witness. They were always an easy sell at the store I worked at back in the day. I managed the fish department in the hardware store I worked. We had about 30 tanks to display all types of fish and these guys were ever present. Beautiful in schools.

November 18, 2009

2009-11-19T11:59:00.000-08:00

Clan of the Cave Dachshund. Not as well known as the Clan of the Cave Bear, but just as fierce.

2009-11-18T08:26:00.001-08:00

Just trying to button down freehand circles.

November 17, 2009

2009-11-18T08:20:00.000-08:00

I have a small stack of composition books that I use for taking notes when reading and such. I enjoy learning new things and the practice helps to provide a jumping off point to working the information into my brain. Other times the book is just used to record thoughts and events. I have been known to glue in short articles I found interesting at the time. Yesterday while waiting while Marjorie was going through a medical procedure I did a little doodling.

November 11, 2009

2009-11-18T08:19:00.000-08:00

November 10, 2009

2009-11-18T08:14:00.000-08:00

Behind in my posting, so I will try to catch up with sketches done recently. Hope you enjoy them.

One small step.......

2009-09-08T22:37:00.001-07:00

It is one small step for man....A joyful bound for enthusiastic wienerdogs.

What do sheep count to get sleepy?

2009-09-02T22:24:00.000-07:00

I have considered this before, but it doesn't seem to me that sheep would count sheep in order to get sleepy. This raises the question, what do sheep count? Here is my take on the subject. No animals were hurt during this investigation.

September 1, 2009

2009-09-01T22:07:00.000-07:00

Badger dogs. Bred to go underground in the pursuit of badgers. Sure seems a lot easier hanging out shepherding sheep.

Where have you been?

2009-08-31T22:14:00.000-07:00

Yes it has been some time since I regularly inhabited this spot. Time to snap out of it.

Downtown Holdout

2009-08-31T13:00:00.000-07:00

I do believe it is about time I revived this blog. Inspiration has been lacking in large part due to too much work making me a boring boring guy. This is a quick little sketch I did during lunch today in my 3x5 sketchbook. No color, just simple ink lines.

Self Portrait

2009-08-07T12:49:00.001-07:00

I'm not bad......I was just drawn that way" Jessica Rabbit

January 6, 2009

2009-01-07T08:29:00.000-08:00

You've seen them.....short, slender grays........little and green.......tall, fierce, hunter humanoids.....but I think I have discovered why they have short little legs.....there just isn't that much headroom. Dachshunds are not of this world.

January 5, 2009

2009-01-07T08:27:00.001-08:00

Seems that even when moving about in the forest.....remaining hidden is just really difficult for some.

January 4, 2009

2009-01-05T08:01:00.000-08:00

I have this old computer desk downstairs in the basement that I have been using for a radio desk. Lately I have been contemplating moving it upstairs without the radios for use as an art table. I spend so much time in the basement with work that the last thing I want to do is spend more time down there. There is a pop-out area that has a large window at the side of the house that I am thinking of putting this desk. I think it would be ideal. There is a built in bench downstairs that I could put the bulk of the radios and keep them available for use.

All I need is the energy and the spark to clear the desk and get it ready for next Saturday when I have some help dragging it upstairs.

January 3, 2009

2009-01-04T09:30:00.000-08:00

Saturday night on Oregon Public Broadcasting is one of my favorite nights. Travel and British Comedy...and if I can stay up late....Mystery.

Rick Steves of Edmonds, Washington had filmed new episodes the middle of last year and OPB has been airing them. This week he took us to Denmark outside Copenhagen (Copenhagen was last week). I may never make it to Europe, but thanks to Rick Steves (I have his box set of all 70 episodes) I get to visit anytime I wish. On Saturday evenings I also travel with Seattle photograper Art Wolfe, and then there is the Globe Trekker group.

January 2, 2009

2009-01-03T09:15:00.000-08:00

Snoopy slept on top of his doghouse. Not to be outdone, Sluggo manages to find his way to the rooftop.

January 1, 2009

2009-01-02T07:54:00.000-08:00

It is already 2009. These flip of the calendars seem to be coming around a lot faster these days. Looking back at my sketchbook, it is disappointing to see that over the last few months I have been very negligent about spending time with them. I intend to correct that this year. At least everyday I resolve to put something into my 3x5 sketchbook and as often as possible something into my larger books. I even went out New Years Eve and bought some fresh Microns.

Spent the afternoon of the day in Salem with my son and his wife as we were unable to get together for Christmas. It gave us a chance to see their new house. We spent the previous Saturday with my other son and his wife and the grandkids. Christmas day we were all shut in with a couple of feet of snow. Our daughter spent that week with us since the school she works for was shut down for Christmas vacation. Since I commute to my basement I carried on as if nothing happened.

Happy New Year to all.

December 3, 2008

2008-12-04T12:43:00.000-08:00

With winter coming on, the sure footed Rocky Mountain Dachshund moves to lower elevations

December 2, 2008

2008-12-03T07:07:00.001-08:00

Perched high on a mountain ledge, the Rocky Mountain Dachshund overlooks a lush mountain meadow.

December 1, 2008

2008-12-01T22:15:00.000-08:00

High above the tree line a few hearty Rocky Mountain Dachshunds brave the elements.

Trick or Treat

2008-10-31T12:57:00.000-07:00

Sluggo goes out Trick or Treating as the Dark Knight.....Batman

Wienerdogs with Lipstick for Obama

2008-09-11T11:11:00.001-07:00

September 10, 2008

2008-09-10T19:45:00.000-07:00

Canson 3x5 sketchbook

August 23, 2009

2008-08-23T19:36:00.000-07:00

Canson 3 x 5 sketchbook

August 22, 2008

2008-08-22T22:48:00.000-07:00

Wild wienerdogs along the Yukon River

Canson 3 x 5 sketchbook

August 21, 2008

2008-08-22T21:45:00.000-07:00

Wienerdogs along the Yukon River.

Canson 3x5 sketchbook

ATC - TGIFishFriday Holstein-Friesian Fish

2008-08-22T16:24:00.000-07:00

ATC TGIFishFriday for August 22, 2008 is a variation on my Holstein-Friesian Dachshund this Holstein-Friesian Fish

Cookies

2008-08-22T15:04:00.000-07:00

As Sluggo approaches the offering on the plate, Edgar knew the best way to appease the aggressive nature of wild dachshunds was to give them what they crave most......cookies.

August 20, 2008

2008-08-20T22:05:00.001-07:00

Canson 3x5 Sketchbook

August 19, 2008

2008-08-20T22:04:00.000-07:00

Canson 3x5 sketchbook

Wild Dachshunds of Arizona find Nirvana

2008-08-19T20:11:00.001-07:00

Wild Dachshunds of Arizona find Nirvana, it's just not open today.

August 18, 2008

2008-08-19T20:10:00.001-07:00

Canson 3x5 sketchbook

August 17, 2008

2008-08-17T22:47:00.000-07:00

August 16, 2008

2008-08-17T14:09:00.001-07:00

Canson 3x5 sketchbook

Wild Dachshunds of Arizona take a break

2008-08-17T12:31:00.000-07:00

While Sluggo and a few others do some advance scouting, the remainder of the pack take a much needed rest stop.

Is Pluto a Planet?

2008-08-16T16:28:00.000-07:00

Completed a fun book today. Is Pluto A Planet?, by David Weintraub

Pluto was recently demoted from its previous status as a planet to a Plutino following the recent discoveries of numerous Kuiper Belt Objects (KPO) and Scattered Disc Objects (SDO). While the debate continues and may be reopened to further discussion, David Weintraub, a Professor of Astronomy at Vanderbilt University, has written a fairly short and easy to read history of discovery of the objects in our solar system. That history includes the various ways in which science has classified those objects.

What were considered planets has varied through history. Weintraub continues the survey by discussing various means in which to define what a planet is or should be. In the process he takes a look at other bodies that fall on the edges of definition. These include brown dwarfs, pulsar planets, orphaned planets, and free roving planets that seemed to have formed not in stellar discs but out of material insufficient to create enough mass to ignite and form interior nuclear reaction to burn as a star. None of the definitions Weintraub proposes are satisfactory to solving the question, reasons Weintraub. As a science nerd they do not satisfy me either.

Weintraub concludes that Pluto should be reclassified once again a planet as well as reclassifying other objects as planets as well, including recently discovered 2003 UB213, 2002 AW197, 2002 TC302, 2003 EL61, 2005 FY9, Sedna, Orcus, Quanoar, Ixion, Varuna, Cybele, Hygeia, Vesta, Palla, and Ceres. Granted, he concludes, that they are also parts of object types such as Ceres would be a planet and also a large member of the asteroid belt, Quanoar, Sedna are planets and Kuiper Belt Objects. Pluto is a planet and the premier Plutino.

If you want to know why he concludes such, you have to read the book. I happily agree that the solar system contains more than the currently recognized 8 planets. Good book.

August 15, 2008

2008-08-16T16:26:00.000-07:00

A peak back at yesterday's journal entry, we see that Sluggo has definitely picked up the scent of nearby cookies. They must be close, very close.

ATC - TGIFishFriday "wienderdogfish"

2008-08-14T23:32:00.000-07:00

Discovered just in time for TGIFishFriday and new subspecies of dogfish....the Wienerdogfish.

August 14, 2008

2008-08-14T22:28:00.000-07:00

Canson 3x5 Sketchbook.

August 13, 2008

2008-08-13T22:38:00.001-07:00

Canson 3x5 sketchbook

August 12, 2008

2008-08-12T21:47:00.001-07:00

Canson 3x5 sketchbook

Dachshund-Spotter's Guide Book

2008-08-12T12:02:00.000-07:00

From the Dachshund-Spotter's Guide Book

Holstein-Friesian Dachsund

2008-08-12T11:29:00.000-07:00

The rarely seen Holstein-Friesian Dachshund.

Pilot G-2 Gel pen on 3x5 index card

August 11, 2008

2008-08-11T22:00:00.001-07:00

While watching Antiques Roadshow on OPB.

August 10, 2008

2008-08-10T20:06:00.001-07:00

Some events I would like to see on the Olympics.

August 9, 2008

2008-08-10T11:56:00.001-07:00

Wild Dachshunds of Arizona at the edge of town

2008-08-09T10:04:00.001-07:00

Arriving at the edge of town the wild dachshunds of Arizona pause before heading into Surprise in the search for cookies.

August 8, 2008

2008-08-08T20:00:00.001-07:00

Have you ever wondered what sheep count to go to sleep?

Canson 3x5 Sketchbook

ATC - TGIFishFriday 08/08/08

2008-08-07T23:31:00.000-07:00

TGIFishFriday for August 8, 2008

Set of 3 ATCs.

Prismacolor pencils and Micron pen

August 7, 2008

2008-08-07T21:43:00.000-07:00

Canson 3x5 Sketchbook

August 6, 2008

2008-08-06T22:03:00.000-07:00

Drawn while watching Nova Science Now. Along with Nova, one of my favorite PBS/OPB shows.

August 5, 2008

2008-08-05T21:07:00.000-07:00

Another warm day. This is a stylized version of part of my back yard. Some details are missing as I am doing this somewhat from memory because it is dark outside. At some point shortly, I will do a more accurate rendering including the second tree by the pond and another further back by the fence. The pond is actually a bit larger than shown here.

EDM Card Swap Group 2

2008-08-05T11:04:00.000-07:00

Cards are packaged up and on their way. It is still a mystery as to who gets which card.

Wild Dachshunds of Arizona cross the river.

2008-08-04T22:40:00.001-07:00

With really hot temperatures crossing the river provides some relief from the heat. They also know that town is close by.

August 4, 2008

2008-08-04T16:51:00.000-07:00

Happy Cactus Monday. It is a warm one today, in the mid-80s.

August 3, 2008

2008-08-03T20:12:00.000-07:00

Weekend nearly over. The paper says it will be around 90 come midweek. So much for the cooler weather.

August 2, 2008

2008-08-02T23:52:00.000-07:00

Completed a few tasks today.

Wild Dachshunds sense potential trouble outside Surprise

2008-08-01T22:56:00.000-07:00

With 3 shadowy figures on the ridge the herd moves closer together. Coyotes. Cookie-thieving coyotes. Sluggo, unfazed, continues to track with more determiniation.

Time to shut down the work and take on the weekend

2008-08-01T16:58:00.001-07:00

I am done with work for this week. Now it is my time and the weekend. Going to start my ATCs for the swap and just enjoy. We might even get a sunny day here in Oregon.

Using a new Canson 3x5 sketchbook with 50lb paper. Prismacolor pencils and Micron pen.

TGIFishFriday for August 1, 2008

2008-07-31T23:30:00.000-07:00

Happy TGIFishFriday!

The little guy on the bottom has reminded me to put a tickler to keep an eye out for next year's Chick-Fil-A calendars.

Prismacolor pencils and black Pilot G-2 in 07 Gel pen.

Wild Dachshunds of Arizona head for Surprise

2008-07-29T20:59:00.000-07:00

The thought of the possible location of cookies overwhelms the herd so they head off to Surprise with Sluggo, the groups best tracker, in the lead. Sluggo is a bit slow, but if there is cookies out there, he'll find them.

New pet

2008-07-26T23:39:00.001-07:00

Stopped in at Hallmark to get my son a birthday card and this guy demanded to go home with me.

ATC - Electronics theme

2008-07-26T13:12:00.000-07:00

This one doesn't do much for me. Does it do anything for anyone else. I used recycled card stock from an old vhs tape box, a few items from a trade magazine, and a resistor from out of my parts box.

Music on my blog

2008-07-25T23:38:00.000-07:00

Ok...here's the deal. I like my music. I have restored my player but it does not automatically play. If you would like to listen to my playlist while you are visiting you must click it on yourself, otherwise you may view my blog in quiet. However, on my Collected Bits blog the music will come on automatically since the things that I find interesting and add to the photo collection also includes music which I collect.

Packy at home in Montana

2008-07-25T16:39:00.001-07:00

While never mistreated or abused, Packy somehow just felt that somehow he was just different from the rest of the family here at home in Montana.

Prismacolor pencils, Micron pen on 3x5 index card.

Wild Dachshunds of Arizona continued

2008-07-25T13:00:00.000-07:00

Pausing at the side of the road, the leader, Sausage, has to decide whether to continue across the road, or take his hearty band into town in search of water. All else failing there would be plenty of opportunities for drink and food. they might get lucky and find some cookies. The problem with town is their rivals the Jack Russel Terrier. Not a particularly ferocious breed, just annoying as hell.

ATC - TGIFishFriday072508 2of3

2008-07-25T11:50:00.000-07:00

While waiting for a rather complex building to run through my design software I pulled out a couple of my Strathmore precut ATC cards and added a couple more cards to the TGIFishFriday series for today. I am posting this one here on my blog. The other will go over on my flickr site. I recently sent a card off to Kathleen in a giveaway posting.

This card here is free to the x number of posted comment. Just a token of appreciation for all those that stop by and visit.

ATC - TGIFishFriday

2008-07-25T08:27:00.000-07:00

It is Friday.....Back to an old theme that I got away from. This week has not been nearly as challenging as previous weeks but still TGIFishFriday. Prismacolor pencils and Micron pen as an ATC on precut Strathmore Bristol vellum surface cards.

Migration of Wild Dachshunds 2

2008-07-24T21:32:00.000-07:00

Lifting his nose to the wind the alpha male does what any leader would do to locate water for his herd during the migration of the wild dachshunds of Arizona. Prismacolor pencils, micron pen in pocket moleskine sketchbook.

ATC - Baseball

2008-07-24T17:20:00.000-07:00

I decided to try a second collage card utilizing again a bit of recycled cardstock from a vhs tape box and some pieces from the pocket schedule I used in my first attempt. Again I used a random piece of box score from the newspaper and a commemorative stamp to tie this card in with the previous.

ATC - Take Me Out To The Ballgame

2008-07-24T08:09:00.000-07:00

I have never tried collage before and not sure I have the knack for it. Here it is regardless...

Take Me Out To The Ballgame. Recycled cardboard, Modesto Nuts pocket schedule, and a random box score from the newspaper.

ATC - Migration of the Wild Dachshunds of Arizona

2008-07-24T08:06:00.000-07:00

For you Wild Kingdom fans here is a little drawing of the Migration of the Wild Dachshunds of Arizona. Prismacolor pencils and Micron pen

ATC - When Sheep Go Bad

2008-07-23T21:18:00.000-07:00

Every mother's dread...when sheep go baaaaaaaaaaad.

Prismacolor pencils and Micron pen

ATC-On the Lam

2008-07-23T16:16:00.000-07:00

Since leaving show business, Lambchop and gang have been on the lam.

Fantasy Sheep

2008-07-23T12:23:00.000-07:00

Just felt inspired to do this fantasy piece with apologies to my friend David Mills.

And the winner of the Cape Sebastian ATC is.............

2008-07-18T07:59:00.000-07:00

"Number nine......number nine..........."

the Beatles..

our winner of the Cape Sebastian Oregon ATC is

Kathleen

Email me your snail mail address and it is on its way to you..

Thanks all for playing..it was a ball for me too.

ATC Give Away

2008-07-17T15:45:00.000-07:00

In the spirit of recent happenings on Anita Davies blog with the giving away of a piece of art to the X number poster with a comment, I have decided to do the same thing in thanks for all those that have dropped by either here or on my flickr page. I have done an ATC (2 1/1" x 3 1/2") variant of one of my Everyday in May offerings. I have a number written on my desk pad. Leave a comment even if just to say hello and the X number commentor will receive this card. Thank you for your support.

Burnt Rock on the John Day River in eastern Oregon

2008-07-06T09:44:00.000-07:00

This is another entry into my Oregon landscape series. This is Burnt Rock on the John Day River in eastern Oregon. Burnt Rock is a volcanic vent. I am finding in my study of Oregon geology that there was much volcanic activity in the northwest long ago.

Moreland Hardware

2008-06-23T21:43:00.001-07:00

First in a new series of local scenes in Southeast Portland. Moreland Hardware is on Milwaukie Avenue in the Sellwood-Moreland area. I shop for my hardware needs at this locally owned and operated neighborhood establishment that is within easy walking distance of the house. In the 1970s when I got out of the Air Force I worked briefly for a True Value Hardware store in Turlock, California.

ATC - Twin Rocks at Rockaway Beach, Oregon

2008-06-18T22:54:00.000-07:00

Drawing in 2 1/2" x 3 1/2" format is fun and fast and yet challenging to scale down the drawing. This is my 3rd ATC and a variation on Twin Rocks.

ATC - Beach at Bandon

2008-06-16T21:04:00.000-07:00

Here is my second ATC "Beach at Bandon" Bandon, Oregon in Prismacolor pencils. This is another variation of a previous drawing that I did for the Everyday in May series.

ATC - The Painted Hills

2008-06-16T20:11:00.000-07:00

I haven't done any sketching in some time. I just haven't had the energy to do anything but I am wanting to change that. During a recent trip to the art store I noticed a tabletop rack of Strathmore's new cut to size ATC papers for sale. I picked up a package of Bristol and an assortment package to try my hand at doing some ATC's in the 2 1/2 x 3 1/2 inch size. Part of my kickstart to get back to drawing I chose a previous subject to draw my first ATC. The Painted Hills is the subject. In Prismacolor pencils.

Moonshine 2

2008-06-03T22:10:00.000-07:00

Black Artagain paper with soft pastels. An experiment with black paper.

Moonshine 1

2008-06-03T22:05:00.000-07:00

Black Artagain paper with Prismacolor pencils.

El Capitan

2008-06-03T17:15:00.001-07:00

Here is a drawing that I considered doing for Everyday in May but chose not to because I was trying to maintain a northwest theme. El Capitan in Yosemite National Park in California. Not far from where my California office is located.

Crater Lake Oregon

2008-05-31T16:01:00.000-07:00

31 days in May, 31 drawings. The Everyday in May challenge started with a weeks worth of dachshunds and morphed into landscapes for the remainder of the month. A few were in Washington state, however most were a tour of Oregon.

Everyday in May #31 is a view of Crater Lake. A tour of Oregon would not be complete without stopping by and seeing this natural wonder. Crater Lake with Micron pen and Prismacolor pencils.

The Painted Hills

2008-05-30T15:04:00.000-07:00

Everyday in May #30. One more to go. This is a view of The Painted Hills at the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument in eastern Oregon. Prismacolor pencils.

Mt. Shasta.

2008-05-29T15:13:00.000-07:00

Everyday in June #29. From a reference photo from recent California trip. Mt. Shasta from southbound I-5 . Clouds were obscuring the peak. Micron pen and Prismacolor pencils.