July 30, 2026

How do you get back to sketching after an extended time away? This is something that all artists, of every level, work through at some point. I personally took a break to sort through things after our mother passed away. SO much to manage and not an ideal situation in many facets. However, the bulk of the time critical things are finished now. So, I am getting “back in the groove” with a daily sketch practice again. Yay!

It’s often not as easy as it sounds and outside forces (supply chain disruptions, high groceries, high gas prices, high insurance rates, rising medicare drug costs for seniors – insane – and the ever evolving 3rd world war, along with understaffed police and medical personnel, state financial struggles, wildfires, floods, gun violence, men allowed to treat city streets like race tracks thus killing people just trying to get home, human trafficking and general damage to women, children and the environment)… well it can paralyze the most resilient of us, can’t it? Oh, I forgot, rogue AI models, the people who created can’t control, apparently – and lawsuits to KEEP using AI to harm innocent people! Fewer and fewer choices on privacy and independent retail shopping. (Great job by the way national leaders – sarcasm font utilized – I’m really NOT impressed so far.) Am I mad? Yes, yes I am. However, I don’t like to stay there. It’s self destructive to do so. I like to use the fuel from anger to create good things. So.. rant over. Just vote for good things. PLEASE.

I looked up the psychology behind what keeps us from getting back to sketching when it’s something we LOVE doing. Here’s an article that really lays it all out very simply. Rediscovering Your Artistic Passion: How to Get Back into Drawing After a Break. So, with that little boost, I’m back into 15 minute practices daily. If I go longer… great! But I don’t feel compelled to. I am just re-connecting with the joy of sketching. Because it should be fun!

Another fun thing I want to get back into is playing my flute. It’s been ages. So time to knock the rust off.

Trees. They are a favorite of mine. I have a pen and ink sketch book that just has basic tree outlines as a study. And I’m sketching leaves and acorns and berries now also. I ran across a couple of articles. First, we have lost, and are losing a lot of trees to drought, wildfires and simple mismanagement. I was sad to see the iconic trees I always enjoyed in Santa Monica are in dire straights and are set to be removed. And I am learning more and more about oak trees. When given just the basics to survive, they really are amazing! The National Park Service (despite never ending budget cuts) has a good article on the history of oaks and how they are home for many, many species. I know I have SO many pieces of artwork that depict trees of various kinds. From hanging beaded ornaments, to photograph’s, paintings and pottery with various leaf impressions… the opportunities to use trees in art are endless! So if you are so inclined, get a pencil and some paper and start noticing trees more. You will enjoy the time spent.

Now, I have not mentioned some of the things that we saw and did on our vacation. One thing I was struck by were the waterfalls and flowing rivers. Water is a scarce commodity in our neck of the woods and so I really enjoyed seeing them. Here’s a few for you that were simply spectacular. The first one is Hidden Falls on the far side of Jenny Lake in Grand Teton National Park. The second one is Snake River Falls in Wyoming. Enjoy!

I have often known that if you stay online long enough you will get a troll. Well, I found one actually, when I was visiting Ivywild School in Colorado Springs. What an interesting idea! The community loves it. Read up my friends and learn all about it. They also had a shop with a sign that read “Gay Stuff” and of course, being the curious person that I am, I had to go in and find out “what exactly is gay stuff?” It turns out it was a shop with a lot of stickers, candles and trolls from the 1960’s, along with some handmade items and theme mugs. Not so gay, just retro in my opinion. However it did have some adults only items. Delightfully, they had a mini troll that I remembered from my childhood years, so I had to buy him.. Meet my little (and I do mean little) troll! He doesn’t have a name yet. However he would have gone really well with the green, fur, foot shaped rug that my older brother had! Ahhhh… the 60’s. As I told my gay friends in high school, “I’m hopelessly hetero” and they liked me anyway. So make sure you are not spreading hate now, you hear?

Well, I don’t think I can top a pink haired troll doll… so I’ll wrap this post up. August is almost upon us so stay as cool as you can and share the road with bikes, (yes e-bikes too) and motorcycles and pedestrians also. And if you see a bison in the road – they most DEFINITELY get the right of way. We were glad to not end up with auto damage. Until next time, create everywhere and dream, dream, dream!