I've made a series of four drawings in my new red Fabriano sketchbook. This is a narrative of sorts. This is a new project and new form for the measurement drawings. This first series is done with a refillable fountain pen. I can fill it to complete the entire book.

I'm starting another that uses a dip pen where we can see how many missives can be drawn with the dip of a pen.

This past week I spent some time on a barrier island listening to what the sand, sea, and sky had to say.

I've been commissioned to create a piece for a beach house. I'm planninga couple of sketch trips to capture some rhythms and a color samples that will be used in the drawing. The feeling of late summer was in the air everywhere I went.

Took this little snap on my visit.

Looking forward to my additional trips.

Back in the studio in August and it's already been very productive. My last visit I completed another drawing in a new series.

These drawings consist of three repetitive marks drawn in columns. I'm learning about how the columns react based on speed, ink, and drawing impelments. This drawing was made using prefilled drawing pens. They create a consistant line and tone. I love the different experience from close and distant views. Still, they don't run out of ink for many. many marks. This is not consistant with my need to use measuring as a key element in making my recent work.

A couple presents that came in the mail this week.

A set of amazing Fabriano sketchbooks and a fabulous polka dot pencil case. destined for my art gobag. Thinking about little sketchbook projects. A book full of ink drawings? Tests required.

I'll have time in the studio this week.

Half the book is microperfed. Yeah.

A good hot cuppa Joe and off to the studio today. Time to make some drawings on new Fabriano paper I'm gonna pick up as soon as the art supply opens.

A trip to Artist and Craftsman. Picking out paper for new drawings. Also picked up two new cradleboard panels for my ongoing long and short project.

Finding a rhythm, 1, 2, 3.

After filling some pages with lines moving in various directions I defined a zone in which to draw a series of short lines. Each grouping of three is stacked on another three. These marks create an undulating column. 

I began drawing a series of these columns and investigated the resulting lines. This image is one small test drawing. Using different drawing tools changes the appearance of the three line groups and ultimately the motion of the columns. I'm currently making a series of drawings based on these marks.

The difficulty is in motivation. How to get started drawing when I was stuck? This almost never happens. Yesterday I was able to get started in the studio again. I had an art play date. Artgal Amy Ralston brought some supplies over and the two of us just experimented. Every once in a while we would chat, stop for a cup of coffee, or show eachother what we had made so far. I took to filling this page with lines — feeling the movement, playing with gaps and patterns. I was able to get something going.

It takes not being too serious and eliminating the expectations of outcome.

I was organizing in my studio and came across three drawings I made a couple years back at the Jersey shore. I often go to the ocean to make drawings. I love sitting on the boardwalk or even in the car if it is raining and making marks that feel like that moment. I often create a series of glphs or make repetitive lines that define the consition of water or grasses, sand or sky. These drawings reminded me that I hadn't made any plein air in several months. I need to get outside and to look and listen to the rhythm of my surroundings.