Tag Archives: waterfalls

Shohola Lake

Catching up in the new year

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Although it’s been a while since you’ve seen a post from me, I have (really!) been busy making art.  Just haven’t made the time to share it.  So here’s some of my latest…

About a month ago, there was an art display in Narrowsburg, NY.  The requirement was the size could not be larger than 6”x6”.  There were so many entries, giving lots of inspiration!  I decided some of my hike sketches might work in that size, so I ordered several wood panels, and got to work.   A good way to present watercolors is to mount it to the board, then coat it with a wax resist. Now you have a piece that’s ready to hang, or just sit on a shelf.  

These first two are from Shohola Falls. It was a calm sunny day, and I had most of the place to myself to sit and sketch, or just enjoy the music of the falls. The small island in the lake needed to be sketched, as it was begging to be noticed. (It seems the waterfalls get all of the attention.)

Shohola falls

Shohola Lake
The next two are from Three Mountain Ponds hike near the Delaware Water Gap.  This is the “third” pond I guess, and what a treasure it is.  The first time I saw it, I fell in love with the simplicity and calm feeling of it. The other – bent tree is an example of “trees with character”.  Every tree has its own personality and this one says “Get out of my way, I’m growing!” 😉

Three Mountain Ponds

Three Mountain Ponds tree
It was fun to do this short video sharing music with these four. 🎶

Our local small (but growing!) artist group may be able to display some of our work in the spring.
Of course, I’ll let you know when!  Meanwhile, I have a few more getting ready to mount and will
be sharing them soon.  Stay warm!
Pencil and wash sketches

Catching up!

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Hi!  Sorry I’ve been quiet for so long, my favorite pastimes of hiking and sketching somehow went lower on my priority list lately.  It’s a process, making a home fit just “so”.
But I did get out for a couple of easier local hikes, and even got some sketching done!

A month ago, I was SO determined to get a sketch in, that I didn’t let a little (downpour!) rain stop me! Hah! Needless to say, any sketches ended up being indecipherable scribbles. 😂
Sketching in the rain!?!
Recently I was able to return to Dingmans Falls when it wasn’t raining and found this lovely tree next to a stream with velvety moss on its roots. Tree with moss roots
And yesterday, returned to a trail first tried last year.  Named Tumbling Waters, it’s on PEEC property, about 3 to 4 miles long, depending if you take the side trail/ steps to the gorgeous falls. (Which we did, of course!)
Hiking with a friend who happens to be a neighbor, who also likes to stop and sketch really enriches the entire experience.
For these, I used a dark wash Derwent pencil, and a small waterbrush to create shadows. This allowed me to get simple with shapes and values. Pencil and wash sketches
And that’s it for now. I hope you’ve enjoyed your summer, in spite of rain or heat or mosquitoes!  Fall is just around the corner with crisp cool (bug free) days. 🍁 🍂

Adams Falls

Ricketts Glen State Park

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Just had my first visit to this place, and well, it definitely will not be my last!

Called one of the top hikes of the east,  it’s a lovely mélange of large and small waterfalls, each with its own character, in woods with trees over 300 years old.  Colonel R. Bruce Ricketts named the falls after American Indian tribes, and some after friends and family.

I was lucky to enjoy this trip meeting an online friend in person for the first time.  Not only does she know the Glen well, she very patiently sat while I did a quick sketch or two.  Thank you Elizabeth! I hope to return soon!

Fallen tree across the stream

I wonder how old this tree was, when it gave up and laid across the stream. The swirls in the bark and uneven protrusions give it such character.

Adams Falls

Adams Falls are the easiest falls to get to, and a short distance from the road. Just stunning! I could’ve sat here and enjoyed it all day.