Blobs

Seasons Greetings to all!

Pine trees
walnut ink, charcoal
12-19-17

Ice edge and the dark dam
ink
12-22-17

The Bridge
ink, colored pencil, charcoal
04-13-16

Grackle
charcoal, ink
05-19-16

Ducks
ink, paint stick, crayon
11-18-16

December 15th

2011: cold and a walk around Lake Waban where I saw a bird's nest.
2012: no outside drawings
2013: lots of snow and views of the river, island and the park. I must have gone back to the river in the afternoon because I noted the position of the moon and Venus.
2014: nothing
2015: a view of the island and a memorable drawing (for me) of a crabapple tree. No snow.
2016: one drawing of a rotting tree trunk and ducks in a dark pool.
2017: nope. Too cold. I did go for a walk around the lake. I heard noisy swans beating the air with their strong wings and a flock of hooded mergansers making interesting frog-like chatter out in the middle of the lake.

Here they are in order:

12-15-2011

12-15-2013

12-15-2013

12-15-2013

12-15-2013
(wrong date on picture)

12-15-2015

12-15-2015

12-15-2016

Why trees don't fly

Blackbird flock
12-06-17
ink, wash, crayon

I'm happy drawing things that are very far away. It forces a selective brevity. Also, the restlessness of the birds forces me to only fuss about their essence and not their superficial presentation. How they contrast with the solid and overlapping trees!

Trees are content (for the most part) being trees. But when a flock of blackbirds lazily slides overhead, the trees pull at their roots and try to hitch a ride. They have to content themselves with being the solid and stable ones in this relationship --as ordained by the Creator. The trees will bear nests and the marvelous talons of resting birds. This is why trees do not fly.

Quelques arbres ...

11-23-17-trees
ink, charcoal

11-30-17-bridge
charcoal, ink

11-30-17-hawk
charcoal, ink

12-01-17-riverbank
ink wash, charcoal