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.)

You Can't See Me - EDM #52, Draw a Dog

This is a drawing of Ben, my little red doxie. He is thinking that no one can see him under the flame grass plant. He thinks that the squirrels and butterflies can't see him if he stands very still. Ben thinks that I can't see him if he is on the other side of the tree when I want him to come inside. If he can't see me, then he thinks that I can't see him.

This is the first time I am letting "the world" see my art work! It is a frightening thought for me to "reveal" my attempts to make art a routine part of my days. I hope that you enjoy visiting my blog and I welcome your comments.

This sketch is done in a Strathmore Field Watercolor book, spiral bound, 10" by 7", on 140lb. cold press watercolor paper. Graphtint and Derwent watercolor pencils were used to add color to the graphite sketch.