Six more days, six more sketches. Day 11 to day 16. Stay at home order number 3. Sketch everyday only from life, no photographic reference allowed. Sketchbook is 6 inches by 6 inches. Quick sketches. Tools include micron pen, water brushes, watercolour  pencils for colour. Except for the last one... which is painted with coffee.

6 days of sketches... Monday to Saturday sketches. Sketching with pencil, micron ink pen and waterbrush filled with distilled water and couple drops of india ink. Some I was just playing with watercolour pencil and waterbrush.

Friday, Saturday and Sunday sketches. Daily small and quick sketches using a MICRON 05 pen, and a water brush filled with distilled water and a couple drops of india ink for grey tones in 6" x 6" sketchbook.

Tis the season to get outside and sketch. It's also the 3rd wave of the COVID-19 pandemic and a new stay at home order.  The small size of my new sketchbook 6" x 6" is great for location sketching. Using a MICRON 05 pen, and a water brush filled with distilled water and a couple drops of india ink for grey tones. First image is from my back yard. I did not know what the flower was so I googled it.

​When you google "small purple flowers in lawn" this is what comes up:
(https://newgarden.com/notes/controlling-wild-violet-weeds-in-the-lawn#:~:text=One%20of%20the%20most%20difficult,can%20choke%20out%20your%20lawn.)
One of the most difficult weeds to control in the lawn is wild violet. This native plant may look cute and dainty, especially in the spring when it produces pretty purple flowers. But in reality it is an aggressive weed with an unusual flowering quirk that results in thick mats of leaves that can choke out your lawn. Aug. 29, 2013

When you google "wild violet native" this is what comes up:
(https://www.ediblewildfood.com/wild-violet.aspx)
Wild violets are beautiful when in bloom but as the temperatures warm up the flowers tend to wilt and die off by the heat of the summer. These flowers tend to start growing in shady areas and spread to sunnier locations should the conditions be favourable. This edible plant is not liked in many areas as it can take over a lawn. They freely self-seed to the point of being weedy in optimum growing conditions. In addition to being edible this plant has several medicinal properties as well.

Just found it interesting - first search: it's a bad weed vs second search: its an edible native plant.

March is here... that means that golf season is just around the corner. Over the years, I have done literally hundreds of golf course sketches and drawings. I have filled sketch books! Sketches on location, sketches from photos, drawings and paintings from her and her clients photo reference. From golf courses here in Ontario, Canada to South Carolina, Arizona, Dominican Republic, Ireland... and the list goes on. It is the best sport for exercise, fresh air, scenery, camaraderie and for some competition. If you have a favourite golf hole or a hole in one, and would like a piece of artwork to commemorate it, just let me know, I would be happy to hear about your golf experiences and create a lasting memento.

A recent article by Bryan Bicknell, CTV News London called "Buildings on the Brink" prompted me to revisit my "Save Me Series" from 2017. This illustration is based on my belief that old building have a soul. I combined my figure drawing, my love of architecture, my photo and an old photo I found on Toronto Public Library Archive site. If you look closely in the windows you will see "Save Me". I truly hope this building is repurposed and saved somehow. See more illustrations from the Save me Series.
​Couple of process images

1. India ink drawing of figure
2. Micron ink drawing of building
3. Watercolour painting and washes
4. Matting and framing ... and the finished piece is ready to be delivered.

My normal size home portrait is approximately 4 x 6 inches, matted to 8 x 10 inches, which is small. But these are even smaller and I am calling them my "mini" home portraits. They are approximately 2 x 4 inches, matted to 5 x 7 inches. Based on the size they are much more simplified than a regular home portrait. 
The Ontario COVID-19 "stay at home" order, which started January 14, 2021 is giving me more time to try new things. I am still going to work but evenings and weekends I am doing more artwork and enjoying this time very much! At home by myself in the studio, the joy of being an introvert. 
Another benefit: using up small pieces of paper and matt board.