What Are You Waiting For? It’s State Fair Sketching Time!

Posted on August 30, 2014 by Dana Burrell

I love Fairs! Where else is there a multitude of creatures just hanging around begging to be included in my sketchbook.

A couple of warm-ups and I’m ready to go!

Sometimes there are so many to choose from… I decide to sketch as many as possible. (Check out that Lamancha goat! I was astounded to learn they’re born without external ear flaps… pinnae.)

I even go one to pose for me after his turn in the show ring.

Sometimes humans are interested in my work… the cows? Not so much! ( I thought Holsteins were only black and white. Not so! These red and white girls are Holsteins too! )

There’s still time for you to take your sketchbook and get in on the fun. New Hampshire’s Hopkinton State Fair is open tomorrow and Monday. If you’ve missed your chance at your nearest fair I highly recommend you start planning for next year… I know I am!

T. Rex named Sue!

Posted on July 14, 2014 by Dana Burrell

Sue’s at the Montshire! Correction… a life-sized replica is at the Montshire Museum of Science in Norwich, VT. She’s the largest and most complete Tyrannosaurus rex ever discovered!

My geeky alter-ego would have been a paleontologist so a trip to see Sue was a given! She… or maybe she’s a he, they don’t know… is HUMONGOUS! Over 40 feet from her snout to the tip of her tail and she stands at least 13 feet tall at her hip. Simply massive!

A quick splash of color before spending quality time with my fountain pen. She barely fits on my page!

But one visit just wasn’t enough. I returned today for another view!

My… what large teeth you have my dear!

Check out those proportions… Her foot is as large as that young fella!

The T. Rex exhibit will be there ’till September 7th. Find out why she’s named Sue and try all the interactive activities… don’t miss it! Not interested? There’s plenty to keep your attention and be sure to say hi to this little mink for me!

Every Day in May Concludes!

Posted on May 31, 2014 by Dana Burrell

May… a commitment to drawing the predetermined prompt every day. Do I love it or hate it? I’d have to say, both! I’m energized by my fellow participants but by the end of the month, I’m tired. Tired of someone telling me what to sketch and tired of posting.

This year I posted to my Flickr account and linked to the Every Day in May group and posted to their Facebook group too! Oh, and here too, although I enjoyed grouping my daily pages into one weekly post. If I join in again next year I may choose to post only here. Maybe that’ll breathe new life into my EDiM.

Whew! I’m ready for June!

My Month of May Continues. EDiM 21-26

Posted on May 26, 2014 by Dana Burrell

After the last bunch of blacks, whites and grays I really needed some color!

June is closing in… only 5 more days. but let’s not get ahead of ourselves.

Keep on, keepin’ on. EDiM 15-20

Posted on May 20, 2014 by Dana Burrell

The month of May just keeps rollin’ along as do the Every Day in May challenges. It’s been great to not have to think about what to draw… just look at the prompt and draw it. Don’t get me wrong, I have been working on other projects but that’s fodder for another time.

EDiM 15 – 20

Mo Momentum. EDiM 8-14

Posted on May 14, 2014 by Dana Burrell

I love Every Day in May… and I finally found a link to the list of daily prompts on Jana Bouc’s blog!

It’s wonderful, just do something… anything… each and every day in May.

It can be as simple or elaborate as you wish and have time for. As you can see from the above page… I was really busy last Friday!

Draw something small.

Draw something alive.

Upload for everyone to see or keep it private in your own sketchbook, the benefits are the same.

You cement a creative habit!

Do your creative self a favor…… Just Do It!

Greek Salad Skewers

Posted on April 13, 2014 by Dana Burrell

My friend Jann is au courant in the food scene. Her daughter, Jennifer Block and son-in-law, Steve Perlstein run the Simmer Truck... a food truck in Milwaukee, Wisconsin… coincidentally, my hometown. They specialize in fresh soups and panini and have expanded to full service catering.

I’ve spent the morning perusing their website and menus and now I’m starving. Believe you me… if I were there, I’d be first in line!

Anyway, I gave Jann my favorite appetizer “recipe” to share if they’re interested.

This visual version is for you Jann!

Spring Makes Me Smile! Journal52 – week 3

Posted on March 20, 2014 by Dana Burrell

Spring arrives today!

16:57 UTC… that’s 12:57 EDT for me!

The science geek in me loves knowing all about the Vernal Equinox but Spring to me is much more than angles, celestial equators and orbits. Since it’s too early here for sprouting things in the garden, it’s the changes in the light and the sound of arriving songbirds.

Journal52 – Week 3 Prompt: You make me smile!

Earlier this month I picked up the Saturday’s Features section of the New Hampshire Union Leader intrigued by the bird coverage. In the March 8th issue there was the New Hampshire Audubon’s Rare Bird Alert, an article on Turkey vultures and a wonderful photo of three American robins in flight by David Lane of the Union Leader.

I have tried time and time again to sketch birds in flight with various degrees of success so I used Mr. Lane’s photo as a reference as I practiced bird flight anatomy. Is it great? No, but as I look at this spread I can almost hear them chirping as they devour my remaining crabapples!

I know there have been pockets of robins living here all winter but they’ll always be my harbingers of Spring!

EDM 15-12

Posted on March 18, 2014 by Dana Burrell

Just a quick check-in on my progress… still working my way down to #1 on the EveryDay Matters list.

Thanks for visiting!

Journal52 – Week 2

Posted on March 16, 2014 by Dana Burrell

This is week two’s prompt from Journal52’s Chelle Stein: Somewhere, a simple place.

After I finished the page I knew I really wanted to add both quotes Chelle had included with the prompt. Including the photo I worked from really unites the spread and adds just that little something extra.

Now it’s finished!

Dana Burrell… Art

… adventures in creativity.

Tag Archives: ink and wash