Native American Museum

This isn't really the Native American Museum in Washington, D.C., it is only an impression I sketched after visiting there. The Museum is located with the other Smithsonian buildings in downtown D.C. Yet, when you see it, you are reminded of the red, brown, and pink rocks of the Southwest. The building looks like a pueblo or cliff dwelling from the canyons of New Mexico.

The corners are rounded rather than having sharp angles. There is a large window that looks out over a stream and bit of green space. The rocks are beautiful grey and black river rock scattered in, and near, the stream and in other areas around the building. The water flows gently past them and creates a sound similar to the singing of a brook. Even in the midst of busy streets with traffic noise, the horns of cabs and buses, and the ever present construction, the Museum and its landscaping offer a feeling of quiet, timelessness, and peace.

On my next visit to the Museum, (one of many, I hope), I will be prepared with my sketching tools and hope to more accurately represent this inspiring building. For the time being, this sketch will serve as my EDM - "Draw Some Rocks."

(Fine point Sharpie, Graphtint pencils in large watercolor Moleskine. Graphtint is a wonderful medium for soft, earthy, natural colors.)

Draw Some Scissors - My First EDM, #105

I have been looking at the many wonderful blogs, the fascinating art work, and the helpful comments on the EDM Super Blog for a few months now. One evening, when I was feeling "artistically confident," I sketched the scissors that I keep beside my chair. I thought that I might, someday, post it on EDM. So, here it is, the first one!

The scissors are laying on the arm of my recliner with the tile floor in the background. The color of the tile is accurate but the chair color needs more red and less purple. I think that the painting would have more depth if the values in the chair were stronger.

Overall, I am pleased that I actually sketched something, painted, and finished it. Your comments are welcome! (Holbein watercolors on 300 lb. CP, Kilimanjaro Paintbook)

WWII Memorial Impression

I sketched this in June last year when I visited the World War II Memorial in Washington D.C. My sister and I had planned the trip and she had gotten us a lovely room at new hotel near all the National Parks. My father was killed during WWII, over England, while flying reconnaissance in a P-38 Lightening. He crashed, unarmed and alone, and we believe that they recovered some of his remains. What I have from his death is a sprig of lavender from the field where he was killed.

I wanted so much to be at the opening of the Memorial, but that wasn't possible. At the Post Office where I work, I have met several Vets from that war. They are in their 80's, as my dad would have been. I keep hoping to meet someone who served in the same squadron or at the same base. I want to know what it was like for the men who took the photos for the D-Day invasion. His letters indicate that he took part in the photography for the invasion.

During a few moments when my sister and I sat to cool off, I sketched this impression in a large watercolor Moleskine with Graphtint Pencils and a Pigma pen. It isn't accurate or carefully rendered, it's just a remembrance of my visit and the nice trip Barbara and I shared.