More from Panama and Costa Rica

We spent two days in the Coiba National Park. We walked along a very muddy trail and saw some wonderful plants, birds and animals. We also spent two great afternoons swimming and snorkeling.

My favorite was Islote Granito de Oro; the little grain of gold. It was a very small beautiful little island. There were thousands of hermit crabs and interesting things to sketch. While snorkeling I spotted a silver tipped shark. Sorry, no time for a sketch.

Pieces of the forest on a hike with Roger and Rudy. More mud and more fun! No, the pelicans were not in the forest, I added those later on the beach at Manuel Antonio. As I swam they were diving and feeding all around me. More fun!

Robert Bateman 6" x 9" sketchbook

Pen and Watercolor

Panama-Embera Village

One of our stops was at the village of the Embera. They welcomed us with music and many smiles. This is a sketch of the shaman's house, he is 105 and looking great! As I worked in my book a little boy came up and was watching me. I gave him the pen and asked him to draw me a flower.

He had just started school and had a little trouble to start but soon got used to the pen and finished his flower. Then I gave him the water brush and my paints. When he finished I had a group of the village children around me so I quickly drew the bar of triangles and circles.

It was interesting that 3 of the 4 children picked the circle to paint but looking at their body paintings I realized most of the designs were lines and geometric shapes so maybe the circles were appealing to them. Unfortunately we had to leave before the page was filled.

I got a band painted on my forearm by one of the village woman and it has faded away after about 12 days and I am sad.

The Embera are a lovely, beautiful, friendly and very happy people. It was an honor to spend the afternoon with them. Something I will remember always.

Robert Bateman 6" x 9" sketchbook

Pen and Watercolor

Panama and Costa Rica

Just returned from a great time in Panama and Costa Rica. I went on a cruise with Cruise West. It is the second time I have cruised with them and it was so much fun. We stopped at the Miraflores visitor center which is one of the locks of the Panama Canal. One of the rooms had a display of wonderful insects. I wish I'd had more time as they were fabulous.

Our first stop after boarding the ship was in Portobelo. Tons the gold and silver for the King of Spain passed through this tiny port. It has tons of history as well. There is new music school and these guys were added recently. The town also is host to a large vulture population.

The next day we went through the Panama Canal. Wow, what a wonder that is! It took us about 7 1/2 hrs. to transit the canal. We were lucky and got to start the trip in the afternoon so we saw the workings in the daylight and the dark. We were the 24th transit of the day and traveled with the Ulusoy-9 out of Istanbul. What a way to start our adventure!

Robert Bateman 6" x 9" sketchbook

Pen and Watercolor

A few more from France

Here are the last pages from my trip to France. This first one is a grid of some, just some, of the things I bought in the different villages. Fun things to remind me of a great time.

The second to the last day we went to Gordes and my legs just didn't want to do another hilly village so I made my way to the town square. I decided to work on people and gestures. I was pleased with this page and it was fun.

The very last day a few of us went back to Rousillion for the morning. I tried to work looser and did a few more people. I love looking back in my sketchbook as it puts me right back in the moment. Now where is that ice cream man?

Robert Bateman Sketchbook

Pen and Watercolor

Race for the Cure

Today was the Orange County Race for the Cure in Newport Beach. One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime. Early detection is very important. Have you gotten your mammogram? Here is my number and pink hat. I am a breast cancer survivor, 16 years and going strong.

Here is Liz and myself after the race. We walked the 5K in one hour and were very proud of ourselves. It is amazing to walk with so many others in support of this very important issue. My favorite T-shirt of day?

"Yes they are fake, my real ones were trying to kill me!"

A Day with Marta

Lucky me, I got to spend a wonderful day at the beach with Marta. We had a great little lunch and then took our chairs, umbrella, sunscreen and of course our sketchbooks down to the water's edge. The weather was lovely especially as the temp at home was 100 degrees.

It was so nice to relax, chat and sketch on the beach. We munched on frosted animal cookies, a beach staple I am told and even gave our feet and legs a cool dip in the water. Thanks for the invite Marta, it was a fun and refreshing afternoon.

Last week I ventured out to Central Park in Huntington Beach with a group of painter friends. I could only stay for a little while and just did this little sketch. I hope to make a few more Tuesdays with the group, they are a great talented group.

I did this sketch while sitting out by the pool in Ensenada, B.C. Mexico. It was either this or people in their swimsuits and that involved way too much information.

Robert Bateman Sketchbook

Pen and Watercolor

Goult, Saignon and Viens

This windmill complete with it's sails was in Goult, another lovely village. We noticed around town there were sculptures made out of trees that had died. They were very interesting. In one of the houses there was a very modern looking window without shutters and in it was this very interesting collection.

Saignon was another village built on a hill of rocks. The buildings were set at different angles making it challenging but also easier to sketch as the prospective was not the same. I added the vine flower at a cafe in the square and decided the page was finished.

Lucky me, I was invited into another lovely home in Viens. The husband saw me sketching and fetched his wife who is an artist. I got the grand tour of their home to see her paintings. I guess I just must have one of those faces! Don't forget to ask for a postal stamp. I think they add so much to the page.

My profile pic was taken of me sketching this broken down wagon turned into plant station. I know my prospective is off some but it was fairly rickety. It was a longer day in Viens so we had a picnic lunch and one small uninvited but interesting guest.

Robert Bateman 6" x 9" Sketchbook

Pen and Watercolor