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Category Archives: 1- Nuts: Graphic Styles
The Power and Purpose of Curiosity
This month we are taking a fresh look at “Desert Island You,” exploring those values that remind you who you really are, free of the influence of loved ones or society. What do you like? Where do you find meaning? … Continue reading
Posted in Beauty, Musings on Life, My Story, Urban Sketching (On-Site Creativity)
Tagged Community, Curiosity, Inspiration, Learning, lifelong learning, Mentors, Perseverance
1 Comment
The Power and Purpose of Story
What is a story anyway? Just because you’re talking doesn’t mean you’re telling a story, right? Here is Dictionary.com’s definition: Story: a narrative, either true or fictitious, in prose or verse, designed to interest, amuse, or instruct the hearer or … Continue reading
Posted in Beauty, Musings on Life, My Story, Watercolor, Writing
Tagged Community, Creative Habit, Inspiration, Perseverance
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Prepare to March On
Face it, we are all going through some interesting times right now. 2025 arrived with a crash of cymbals. Many of us have struggled through (and barely survived) wildfires, blizzards, floods, civil unrest and more – all during the past … Continue reading
Posted in Beauty, Musings on Life, My Story, Watercolor
Tagged Community, Creative Habit, Inspiration, Perseverance, Watercolor
4 Comments
Emulating the Masters Again
As I mentioned last week, I am navigating a couple of medical challenges that leave me with very little energy to do extra things, even those things that normally rejuvenate me. Then I glimpse my sketchbook on the table…. next … Continue reading
Posted in Beauty, Musings on Life, Sketching tools, Watercolor
Tagged art, Creative Habit, Hake brush, Inspiration, painting, Perseverance, Ron Ranson, Watercolor, watercolor-painting, watercolors
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What’s Your Nugget?
Yesterday I began searching Double Take for the best story to end this three-month series of essays. Here it is— it’s about Endings and Beginnings, and is also a gentle challenge to you and to me. Are you facing something … Continue reading
Travel is my favorite path to Enlightenment
Mark Twain once said, “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness.” I agree, and I love experiencing this truth firsthand as often as possible. Five years ago, I traveled to England to visit a friend I’d never met. Well, that’s … Continue reading
If you stop, I’ll stop.
Those of you who sketch outdoors regularly may recall times when you entered a trance-like state while sketching. Without planning it, you traveled from effortful thinking to effortless rapture, and before you knew it, you had the shallow breathing of … Continue reading
Who have I dismissed lately?
This post is about Belonging… and its darker side, Tribalism. My self-described tribe is a motley crew. Many are (or were) teachers, therapists, nurses, musicians, artists, or writers. What they all have in common, and the reason they are my … Continue reading
Posted in Book #2: Double Take, Musings on Life, My Story, Pen & Ink, Writing
Tagged Community, Creative Habit, Inspiration, Perseverance, Watercolor
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Why not me? Why not you?
August 11th has been a powerful day for me… several times. In 1973, it was the day of a horrific car accident where my brother and I were both badly injured. Fast forward 41 years to 2014, August 11th was … Continue reading
How to Double the Fun when Travel Sketching
(This is the next in the series of excerpts from my illustrated memoir, “Double Take.”) Planning a vacation? If you’re like me, the minute you buy your plane ticket or book your B&B, it feels like you’re almost on your … Continue reading