Nina's folding sketchbook, daily watercolors, spring photos, sunset cat

Here is the folding sketchbook Nina Johansson suggested. I made mine with Arches 140 # watercolor paper. It has been fun for me to get back to some painting on a small scale. The 2 next mountain views are done in a Raffine sketchbook someone suggested, its a nice heavy paper, 100 lb. but does not compare to Arches, I like to work very wet and it does ripple.

These 4 mountain scenes are my short attempt at Daily Painting, I have been drawing or painting almost everyday. You really get to know your subject with repeated attempts. When I had my jewelry at the San Diego Zoo and Wild Animal Park I focused on the animals there, and got the giraffe, zebra, big cats etc. down pretty well.... at least 2 inches and under.

This spring has been amazing the mountain right behind us burned twice in the October fires reducing the 4 foot high chaperal to almost nothing. The rocks now visable have great morning and evening shadows. The pink blooms only 3 times in 30 years and the orange I've never seen before. No need to travel for inspiration!