Sketch of the Day, November 29, 2009

A tube of watercolor paint from yesterday's project.

Sketch of the Day, November 28, 2009

This isn't technically a sketch, it's a little (5 x 7) watercolor painting of Saint Agnes church up in Harding County. It's been ages since I've done much watercolor and I really enjoyed doing this one. I'd like to do more when I get a chance.

Music a la Mode, December 3rd

Come on down to the gallery for our second Music a la Mode event featuring Max Carlson and Mike Palmer from Corduroy Vinyl. Original songs, great guitar playing, and delicious dessert. See ya!

Sketch of the Day, November 26, 2009

It was Thanksgiving today and of course the gallery was closed. I had a wonderful meal at my brother's house and then came back and painted a few miniature landscapes.

Sketch of the Day, November 25, 2009

M.J. Adams, chef and owner of The Corn Exchange restaurant, stopped by today with a bottle of something I thought was champagne, but wasn't, and we all toasted tomorrow's Thanksgiving. It was fun catching up on downtown news and rumors.

Sketch of the Day, November 24, 2009

Another Christmas tree ornament.

Sketch of the Day, November 23, 2009

Still painting Christmas tree ornaments. They're selling like hot-cakes.

It was beginning to sound a lot like Christmas at the gallery on Sunday afternoon when the popular variety group Top Hats and Roses shared their holiday repertoire while James tried to keep up with the demand for his hand-painted ornaments.

Sketch of the Day, November 21, 2009

We're having our annual Christmas tree ornament event at the gallery this weekend. I'm painting 2" x 3" original acrylic landscapes. They're priced at $35-$45 and they're theoretically available all year around, but they tend to be sold out by Christmas.

Sketch of the Day, November 20, 2009

The Black Hills FACES staff took my parents out for lunch today, which is how we pay my mom for proofing the magazine. My dad is 95 and still works in his yard every day. He's a retired professor of philosphy and religion, and was telling us about a book on cosmology he recently read.

Sketch of the Day, November 19, 2009

On Thursdays I pick up my kids after school and take them to their violin lesson. There are numerous instruments in the room, including this cello, which was leaning against the wall.

Sketch of the Day, November 18, 2009

It's late and nobody will be coming in so I had to draw myself. It's not a good likeness at present but it should be in about ten years. You can't accuse me of flattering myself. The point is, it's better to do a bad drawing than not to do one at all.

Sketch of the Day, November 17, 2009

Lunchtime at the gallery. I couldn't spend much time on this drawing or all the food would have been gone.

Sketch of the Day, November 16, 2009

On most days my kids stop in at the gallery after school to practice violin. Mostly classical music but I usually join in for a fiddle tune or two.

Sketch of the Day, November 15, 2009

This is the back of the Presbyterian church across the street from the gallery. I've been admiring this wild roof-line ever since I moved down here. One of these days I'll have to do a painting of it; I did one of the front of this church years ago.

Sketch of the Day November 14, 2009

The city is replacing the curb in front of the gallery. No parking this week but hey, it won't kill you to walk half a block.

Sketch of the Day November 13, 2009

I was working on a painting of a limestone outcropping when J. Paul Koehler, former American Idol contestant and occasional chef, walked in carrying several grocery bags. He's getting ready to do a major food event at the hookah lounge and wanted the gallery staff to taste-test half a dozen cheeses, along with some olives and salami. We were happy to oblige.

Sketch of the Day, November 12, 2009

Andrew stops in at the gallery from time to time. He usually has his guitar with him and sometimes plays his latest compositions.

Sketch of the Day, November 11, 2009

One of the bonuses of our location is that all the parades go right in front of the gallery. Here's a group of people waiting for the Veteran's Day parade to begin.

Lively Up Yourself

Cole Van Nuys dropped in at the gallery on Halloween night. No candy no cry...

Sketch of the Day

Today I went with FACES advertising director, Ann Henrichsen, to a city council meeting about the proposed new downtown plaza. I sketched several people there, including Prairie Edge manager Dan Tribby.