The Brooklyn Art Library, who are the wonderful folks behind the "Sketchbook Project"  sent out a call for a Print Exchange.  I decided to participate and these are a couple of my prints.  The theme for the exchange is "The drive home" and I have entitled my entry, "around the last bend"  We needed an edition of 12 prints.  Now they said a monoprint could also be an edition so I chose to build a collagragh plate and then played around with the colors, each plate being different.
There are 500 artist from around the world participating.  10 of the prints will be exchanged, one will be held in the Brooklyn Art Library archives and the last one will go on exhibition in New York and San Francisco.  I am hoping they will add Los Angeles otherwise I may have to go up to SF.  Road trip anyone?  I moved into a new home last June and when I thought of "the drive home" I envisioned that last turn and being home.

Happy Holidays to All!
I have been away too long and I apologize.
Big life changes but all for the better.
 In January I will start posting more
 now that the dust has settled.

Playing with my Silverware

Mom aways said don't play with your food but nothing was said about the silverware! Thrift store, old silverware, wire, jewelry bits, goodies and a little E 6000 glue.  Voila, art! Actually it is also lots of fun.  I was visiting two of my sisters in Washington and we took a collage workshop. I made this spoon for Marcy our instructor.  See the row of three beads in the bowl of the spoon? That's us. I call this one "Three Sisters"

I really like the way these turned out.  The different types and colors of the metals make them very pleasing to my eye.  The long spoon was used in the collaged cigar box I did with Marcy.  I will post the cigar boxes later.  Just another reason to collect and save broken bits and pieces.

The Year of the Dragon

This is the year of the Dragon, the Water Dragon to be more precise.  I was not only born in the year of the Dragon but also in the year of the Water Dragon. So "look out baby" this is my year!  I did this page in a journaling book a few years ago and when I realized it's the year of the Water Dragon I decided to post it.    Happy New Year to you all, especially any Dragons out there.

Sketchbook 6" x 10"
Pen and Watercolor Pencil

Walking with Wiley

A few weeks ago I went for the first walk of the year with Wiley at Irvine Park.  She was a little slower that day wanting to spend time sniffing all the wonderful smells.  So every time she stopped, I stopped, looked around and picked up a little treasure.  Then I brought them all home and sketched them.  I set them on the table in a small pewter dish and enjoyed a little bit of the outside, inside.

Robert Bateman Sketchbook

5" x 7"

Pen and Watercolor

Zentangle Ensemble

Tah-Dah! Sorry this is so late, I didn't mean to tease, really.  With the holidays and all the comings and goings we cancelled our meeting.  I finally couldn't stand it and put my ensemble together and then didn't get it posted.  Got a nudge from Hawaii so here it is. Thanks Cristi! Looks cool, right? I am amazed at how well it turned out and there is only one slight oops that really doesn't matter because it's a "Zentangle"!  Okay, a New Year and once again I will try and post more often.  I usually say once a week but we all know how that turned out in years past.  Happy New Year !

Nine 3.5" x 3.5" Paper Tiles
Micron Pen

Sneak Peek

I belong to a little friendship group for Zentangles.  I have named them my ZenFriends.  We meet once a month to catch up, learn a new tangle and enjoy each other's company.  Each of us got an Ensemble Set from Rick and Maria at Zentangle.com.  The set is a grouping of nine tiles with a preprinted string design.  They are to be completed for our December meeting on the 20th. I am doing mine the "Zentangle" suggested way of doing one tile at a time, putting it away and getting out another tile.  I will not place them all together until the meeting, so we can all be surprised together.  I have four more tiles to complete...........now where is my 01 micron?  I'll post the completed set after the meeting.


Zentangle 3.5" x 3.5" tiles
Micron 01 Pen

Warriors, Tombs and Temples

There is a new exhibit at Bowers Museum, artifacts from the Qin, Han and Tang Dynasties.  There were the full size terra cotta warriors and some of the smaller smiling warriors. I am drawn to the beauty of the characters so I tried to copy the symbols for the three dynasties.  I really enjoy sketching interesting objects that are over 2000 years old.  Amazing! What a great way to start a brand new sketchbook.

I love the shape of the female attendant and the Buddhas are always so peaceful. The golden dragon was a great study in contour drawing.  The small reliquary was number two in a set of four nesting boxes. My new friend, Kathy and I sketched for about an hour and then had a great lunch at Tangata, the restaurant at the museum.  It was a fun day and I enjoyed getting to know her better.  Thanks Kathy.  Anyone want to join us next time?


Robert Bateman 5" x 7" Sketchbook
Pen and Watercolor