Little Walks That Make Me Happy

Just a few little sketches from little walks here and there:

As California Hills Turn in Summer

California spring is spectacular but quick to pass. What comes after is not less spectacular but much slower changing: the colors grow in complexity and texture, the heat becomes hard to survive, the sounds of insects get louder, birds are quieter, and fragrances envelop you as you walk. This was probably my first summer outing to sketch, and I enjoyed my gouache adventures and great company immensely! 

I Made a Set of Two Vases

I made a set of two vases. It was harder than I thought because at first I thought I made them, and then I had to make them again - they were not a set! And I wanted them to be close relatives. But very different. And these two are :) And they were a gift to two friends of mine - from two different generations, and having these friendships is a gift by itself!

On My Table: Beginning of June 2026

My preparation for my teaching trip to Toulouse for the 14th International Urban Sketchers Symposium is in full swing! Kits for participants of my workshop are ready (I have now started assembling a prayer to the Travel Gods so that my bag will not be lost). My handout is basically ready (though one cannot stop tweaking things, can one?). I am getting my stickers printed and selecting colors for my palette to paint in my free time (I am making bets with myself as to how many sketches I would actually make in between three days of workshops and a demo!).  The rest of the stuff on my table is a story about me drawing people more in May and enjoying a little pouch that has an elastic band and was very helpful for the "quick daw" sketching on the go. I am afraid till the end of July I will be all: Toulouse, Toulouse Toulouse" - apologies in advance - I am so excited for this trip!

Sketchbook as a Reminding Tool

As you know, I enjoy layering things in my sketchbooks - because I like to keep my notes and drawings in chronological order and also because it is a nice way to revisit things. Speaking of revisiting - I realized that I rarely flip through my old sketchbooks, but when I do, it is a lot of fun! I was planning a video flip-through of my winter sketchbook and found these pages. They were little experiments that were happening at a large table filled with beer glasses, teacups, snacks, art supplies, and sketchbooks, bunch of friends talking and working next to each other.
I kept some parts of the larger pages showing to share my joy from all the color conversations that are happening on this page. It reminded me that I have this ochre ink I wanted to play with more, that I am still working on mixing a dark purple, and I promised my friend a gouache stick and I find sculls challenging, macabre but also fun to draw!