Finally, I’ve actually used up a sketchbook! Typically I give up and go on to the newest sketchbook because of my adhd (Artist Delusional Head Dreams 🙃). Happy to share this “old tree” I saw on a recent local drive-about during an artist studio tour.
Older trees (like us humans) have SO much character. They resonate in my soul, so a sketch is a way to honor the seasons they’ve endured, the bitter freezes that didn’t fell them, and the hot dry summers that didn’t do them in.
Before adding color
A recent trip to El Paso, Texas, allowed me to temporarily escape the final blasts of our northeast winter. This is where Eric, a dear friend and neighbor, spends his winters. He grew up there, and was a great tour guide and generous host. I got to see landmarks and history and there was so much to learn. The sketches so far are from the places we went hiking.
Coming from NE Pennsylvania (elev= 900’) I was concerned about altitude adjustment. (El Paso elev = 3,760’) So before leaving, I went on slightly longer hikes and even added a few pounds to my pack. That seemed to do the trick, and there were no issues with altitude.
Our first hike was in the Organ Mountains near Las Cruces, NM, just over the border.
An online description: The Organ Mountains are a steep, angular mountain range with rocky spires that jut majestically above the Chihuahuan Desert floor. They range from 4,600 to just over 9,000 feet, and are so named because of the steep, needle-like spires that resemble the pipes of an organ.
Coming from the Poconos, the first views of these were awe inspiring.
We did a 3+ mile hike on the La Cueva trail, a great introduction, with deep blue skies and a cave to explore. Stopping to sketch made the hike take longer, but I could’ve spent all day here!
La Cueva/ The Cave
Alltrails is a great app that I use to find hikes that fit me. Looking at a 30 minute or less travel time led me to New Jersey. So this week I went to Stokes State Forest to try out the Red Maple and Steffens trails. About halfway you can add extra distance and go to the Ladder Trail, which leads to the Appalachian Trail and a scenic overlook from the Kittatinny Ridge. I decided to save that for another day.
I wasn’t disappointed with this hike – a bit wilder with a much less traveled path, and only one other person seen on it. And that person was on a bicycle, which was quite a surprise.
The weather was warm, but too windy to stop and try a sketch, so these were done later at home.
Fallen trees did not block the trail, instead there were some to climb over and some to go under. A white fluffy deer tail was all I spotted as it bounded away, same with the back end of a large turkey who did not like me so close. I saw lots of eastern skunk cabbage, which added nice pops of green along wet areas.
Shortly after starting I stopped – to rest, of course, but also to really appreciate my surroundings and give thanks for being able to enjoy the fresh air, nature and solitude that replenish my spirit. Grateful!
No matter where I go, I’m often looking for sketch ideas. Here are a couple sketches of fig trees and sculptures from a recent visit to a lovely home. 
2021 started off with a challenge. And now, with hope. Many of us are still working on the challenge, if so, this one is for you. 😘. Added a BioGeometry figure for extra ❤️.
Let me know if you’re interested in a postcard version of this to share! I will be ordering some.
Having hiked the Glen for several years now, this is only the second time I’ve seen deer. These two youngsters were especially comfortable with me.
One just laid there, and the other munched, lifted its head, then returned to munching, so it was easy to get a few pics for reference. 
In spite of a lack of posts, I am still sketching, but haven’t been posting much.
Let’s catch up and see what I have been working on. Way back in January, the same day I found out that my second grandbaby would be another girl (yippee!), I was also thrilled to meet Heidi and Mary-Anne from Art Safari! This is the company that I went with to (amazing) Morocco last fall.
They were touring NYC with a small group, and we were able to coordinate a short meeting at the Museum of Natural History. They are just as friendly and charming in person as they were via email. You might notice how much I enjoyed the dinosaur exhibits by my sketches here…
PS – Granddaughter #2 arrived recently and all are doing well!
My 3rd sketch at the museum – I feel like I warmed up with the first two!
My 2nd sketch of the day
Dinosaur at the Museum of Natural History – His head was sticking out of the room to show how large he was!
I’ve had this plastic skull for a while, waiting for the right time to sketch it.
I’m technically not “snow-bound”, but with a hill on my way home, I prefer to stay home and not risk having to walk the last leg of my return.
Staying home has led to much more art getting done, which makes me very happy!
I plan to do more sketches of it/him, but I was pleasantly distracted by my next post…
Ink and watercolor in a moleskine.
So, not easy to do urban sketching in this winter weather. Instead, staying inside (and warm!) at lunch, I found typical office tools that wanted to be sketched-
It was a great and relaxing way to enjoy lunch!