Doodles in the Sketchbook, Hoop Lake

For the past few weeks, my family has been on vacation.  Consequently, I haven't done any envelopes for the past little while.  However, it was refreshing to carry along the sketchbook while up in the mountains and doodle in the shade.  There is something intensely peaceful being surrounded only by wilderness, listening to the breeze rush through the pines and the aspen all around you, and doodling until your heart is content.
We spend a few days up in the Uintah Mountains at a place called Hoop Lake.  Although it was hotter than I expected, it was enjoyable to sit in the shade and look at all of the things around me.

Here are a couple of the sketches I was able to knock out while there:

This was a little doodle of the fire pit at our campsite, and you can see Sadie, our Beagle, waiting patiently for the rest of the family to come back from their hike on this particular afternoon.

Just past our tent in a little grove of trees, I parked the camp chair and sketched the surroundings.  There were lots of deer, lots of beautiful trees, and plenty of sun too.

Now that I'm back in town, I thought I would scan and post a couple of the doodles.

These were done in pen and ink, and some watercolor.

Old Black Tree

Recently, I was up at my father-in-law's house.  His backyard is full of of trees and bushes that surround his pool, but there is a wonderfully twisted, old, black-barked, tree that rises behind the pool and captures my attention every time I am there.  I drew it a couple of years ago during a previous visit, as can be seen here.
While relaxing in the backyard during this trip, I had to pull out the sketchbook, once again, and scratch out what I could.  It started to get dark, so I wasn't able to capture much, just the bark on the tree and a few limbs.

Once I got home, I wanted to continue to play with it, and embellish it a bit more...so I continued to add the fence, a neighboring pine and a couple other embellishments...

All in pen and ink.

Cucumber

Over the past few months, I've done some sketches of various fruits and veggies...In an attempt to make myself feel better about the ice cream that I've indulged in today, I spent a few minutes knocking out this cucumber.  Anyone ever hear of nutrition through illustration?  Hope it works.

Fallen

A few months ago, while working in the yard, I happened across a bird that had recently died and was being consumed by all the little critters in the dirt that opportunistically seize such meals.  The image of the bird, once able to soar and fly, once so fleeting and difficult to catch, just laying there accessible to everything on the land, left an impression.  This morning, I decided to do a little sketch of the image (since it is too hot to go out and work in the yard today.)
There is just something unsettling about seeing a fallen bird.  It happens daily, yes, but it is sobering to see. Yet, it is also beautiful to see up close! The magnificence of the wings, the little talons and the precision of the beak...it is fascinating.
While sketching this, I was reminded of some personal writing that my father penned before he passed away.  I thought it was profound, and I'll share it below.

MELVIN IS LUCKY, I THINK

                                                               Mark J. Monson

Melvin stalks the sparrows with his Winchester-cock-style bee-bee gun.  I follow right behind him watching his prey hit the ground.  Now it’s your turn he encourages me handing me the gun.

Another flock circles and lands unaware of Melvin and me and the bee-bee gun.  I aim, my heart pounds...the gun discharges.  The leaves flutter and all the birds fly.  I’ve missed.

Melvin is much better at this than I am.  I think it’s because  he’s practiced with his dad.  My father died before he taught me to kill birds.  I wonder if he would have taught me had he lived...    probably  not.  Melvin is lucky I think.

Don’t worry, you’ll hit one next time Melvin assures me.

We continue our hunt.   I carry the gun.  Then I see it...a yellow canary perched on a sun flower.  The yellow image, posed against the blue sky, blazes in my eyes.

Melvin sees it also and whispers Quick or it’ll fly.

 I look at it through the “V” sight of the gun.  It’s beautiful...

Shoot! Melvin insists.  I do.

My ears hear a dull thud and the canary falls back and down.

Melvin is elated and runs toward the sun flowers.  I stand dazed, not moving.  Holding the gun.

My trance is broken as Melvin shouts I can’t find it in this darn grass.

I move toward the sun flowers looking down at the red-splattered, flaxen-colored grass.  Following the trail of blood, I see the canary looking up at me.  It appears confused and frightened.  I wonder what I’ve done.

The bee-bee has punctured the canary’s throat.  Blood and air bubbles ooze from the opening.  The bird labors to breath.  Within moments there is no movement.  The yellow is matted with red and is lifeless

Melvin is patting me on the back, for how long, I don’t know.  When I turn to face him, he’s smiling.  I hand him his gun and walk away.  He calls to me What’s wrong?

I stop and turn to face him.  The experience replays in my mind.  I walk away and he questions Don’t you want the bird?

No,  I hear myself say, still seeing the red splattered yellow, I’ve got to go home now.

Who ordered the Fish?

My eldest son and I have been on our own for the past week as family business up in Utah has taken away the rest of the family.  Consequently, we've been eating a lot of easy, no-fuss, meals due to time constraints, and, frankly, the lack of desire that either of us have to cook.
The other night we ran through a quick "drive through" after picking up my son from band camp, and I ordered fish.  Mistake.
I've always loved a well cooked, succulent filet of fish.  This was far from it.
So, today as I found a few minutes to doodle, I thought I would sketch a few fish.  I love the way that the expressions on most fish are as if they were either in utter amazement, or bewilderment.  I'm not finished with it yet, two more fish to go...but I thought I would post it for postings sake....

Fish, anyone?

Dr. Who

When I was a kid, I remember seeing the cheesy, old Dr. Who episodes and thinking, "who in their right mind would watch this excrement?"  However, a few years ago when they rebooted the series, I was up on a Saturday night and started watching the first episode with Christopher Eccleston, and have been hooked since.  I've also convinced my youngest son to be a Dr. Who junkie.
Strange things are afoot, however, with the newest incarnation of the Doctor..... I did this below a little while ago to capture my concerns:

Mad Hatter

Got a new hat today....decided to do a quick selfie and study in gouache in the sketchbook.  Enjoy.

Sadie

We have the best dog in the world, except for when she is the worst.  When back in Georgia we acquired a lovely little Beagle puppy and we fast fell in love.  Until, of course, we realized that she has no self control when it comes to food, and a bladder the size of her brain...(both can be measured in millimeters.)  Last night, after being scolded by the wife for sharing a bit of my snack with her...I decided to do a little sketch of our beloved little beagle, Sadie.

Thanksgiving Point, and other stuff

Recently, my family returned to Utah for a brief vacation and to see family.  While there, we went to Thanksgiving Point Gardens which were rather breathtaking.  I took many photos of the flowers, which were really quite spectacular.  Upon returning, I sketched the following, trying to capture a handful of the images that were left in my mind from the trip:

Also, while there, a visit to my wife's father's house afforded me a few minutes to sketch a beautiful tree that they had in their back yard with a swing on it.  This tree has seen many grandchildren spend many hours swinging underneath the brawny, black limbs next to their swimming pool.