Road Trip, Day Five: Morning at Emerald Forest Cabins.

I think I'd like to move in. Spent a relaxing night at Emerald Forest Cabins in Trinidad.

Highlights: Sweet funky cabin, peeling wallpaper, wood stove, clawfoot tub,

time to slow down, make art, cook a warm meal of mushrooms, kale and beef.

I've been painting mushrooms and enjoying working in watercolors again.

I'd like to bring a large group here and cabin up with everyone, make art,

play games, gawk at trees, go on hikes, and drink mug after mug of warm tea.

Scratchboard Progression.

I thought you might like to see how I work.

So here is a little series of shots taken as I worked

on this new scratchboard of Toots the goat.

First I draw the major outlines of my subjects body.

And then start on one little corner creating scratches

that create texture and shading.

I continue, and give myself pep talks to keep going.

Sometimes I get anxious about how it will turn out.

And finally when I feel I have scratched enough,

I say it's done.  

It's such a fun art form.  I feel quite lucky to have stumbled upon it.