Cold Winds, Warm Hearts

near the River Road north of  Ford Ave bridge

tropical plants in the Como Conservatory, St Paul, MN

We're having some very cold and snowy weather.  The Metro Sketchers Group (check them out on Facebook) had a sketching day at the Zoo and Conservatory where it was warm and even humid and full of activity.  We had a great variety of subject matter and lots of appreciations as we enjoyed viewing each other's work.

Urban Underbelly

The piles of snow in industrial parking lots (and other places too) are now predominantly gray.
I sketched from the car, just south of the High Bridge looking north and west toward St Paul.  This is close to the Mississippi River, yet facing away from the river and looking up onto the river bluffs.  I  like the way the houses are built on the top with probably interesting views from the rather ordinary upstairs windows.

I decided to get another small travel palette.  This way I can keep the gouache paint in its own place. This one made by Pinceaux Manet.  I removed the inside in order not to use the "pans" for holding paint and replaced it with just white cardstock (from a Christmas card).  This can be thrown out when used sufficiently and replaced by a new card.   I marked the zinc white and titanium white because I seem to forget which is which.  I am often using toned paper and the gouache is good for that.  In one corner I'm trying English red and dark blue indigo combined which I mix for blacks, darks and greys.

Quote

This quote is such a truth filled sentence despite its harsh reality.  Sometimes poems alone can reach into a new place.  I appreciated Richard Blanco reading "One Today" at the Inauguration.

"It is difficult to get the news from poems yet men die every day for lack of what is found there."
                                                  William Carlos Williams

Mitten Madness

 The temperature has taken a sudden dip as predicted and we are currently in the single digits.  This most fascinating outdoor sketching excursion kept me working freely and quickly.  The paint was actually freezing on the page... turning solid before it could be spread out!  It was a very invigorating experience to say the least.  My water supply turned to ice and there was ice across the page since the wash froze before it could dry.  I was quite warm in my woolens with inner energy flowing freely.
However wearing mittens did prevent me from much detail.

Minnehaha Creek near 47th St

Caran d'Ache Neocolor ll water soluble wax pastels

using Schmincke Gouache as well

Winter Warmth

 Today was warm enough to make it pleasant to sketch outside.  I was actually able to sit in the sunshine on a small wooden stool that I carried with me.  This weekend the temperature is expected to get below zero, so it was a "now is the time moment"

East River Rd near the Ford plant looking south

Early Morning Reading and other Delights

 

The illustrator and social commentator Maira Kalman, who has been responsible for quite a few 

New Yorker covers, has also written several books.  The one in the above painting is called "And the Pursuit of Happiness" and gives a vibrant investigative look into our democracy.  Restoring my hope and happiness, her work inspired me to try some interiors, so it seemed only fitting to include a copy of the book.

G O A L S

In January typically the idea surfaces that some specific goals might be appropriate.
However since multiple setbacks often come into focus as well, I decided to hold onto an image that was a favorite of my father's.  This image was in his art studio/office in NYC in the early 40's.