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

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween to All!


Zentangle Pumpkins were a lot of fun and way less messy!

Mini Pumpkins and a Sharpie

Amy, Bryan and Julio

My niece, Amy got married to Bryan last month in San Diego.  We stayed at the Humphrey's Half Moon Inn. It was a beautiful weekend and a wonderful wedding and reception.  My room had a lanai that faced out to the gardens. This tiki pole was carved out of the trunk of a palm tree still in the ground.  Looks like a blessing of laughter for their marriage to me.
Congrats to the lovely couple!

Robert Bateman 5' x 7" Sketchbook
Pen and Watercolor

I volunteer and work with groups of kids making art.  Last week Julio was in my Zentangle group.  This was his second Zentangle which he did all on his own and proceeded to give it to me.  Wow! Thanks Julio!

3.5" square print paper and ink

Peru and Machu Picchu

I was lucky enough to spend four days in Peru on my way to the Galapagos.  The smears of color are pigments for dying the wool from llamas and alpacas.  The horizontal line is crushed beetles and the vertical lines of color are made by using different liquids to make the various pigments.

Two of my days in Peru were spend up at Machu Picchu which is magical.  Our first day was rainy and cloudy with wonderful mist coming and going.  The second day was bright and sunny with blue skies. I was able to do some sketching the second day along with more exploring of this fabulous place.

After Machu Picchu we spend a day in Cusco, visiting more sights and some museums. It was great to learn so much about the Inca, an amazing people.  It was a beautiful trip with great sights,  wonderful people and fantastic food.  Very inspirational!


Robert Bateman 6" x 12"
Sketchbook
Pen and Watercolor

Galapagos Islands

I wish everyone could make this trip.  It was fantastic, amazing and a trip of a lifetime.  These are just a few of the sea lions on Espanola Island.

Marine iguanas, albatross, and blue footed boobie.  The post office barrel has been in place since the early 1700's. Now it is leave a letter and take one that you can hand delivery in your area or to a place you are going to.

The giant tortoises are amazing,  400 lbs. and some are over 100 years old.  There is a great program in effect that is raising the populations on the different islands.  Visited the Darwin Center.

I was fascinated with the land iguanas.  There are different kinds, all beautiful in their own way and great posers for some sketches. Sea lions sleeping under a cactus, what can I say?

One more iguana, sea lion and a red footed boobie.  The emblem is for the National Park Marina Reserve.  They say you can leave the islands but the islands never leave you.  A wonderful memory forever.






Robert Bateman 6" x 9" Sketchbook
Pen and Watercolor

Tom's and Miss Penny

Look Penny, they are finished!  My dear friend, Penny bought a pair of cream colored Tom's for each us to tangle.  She finished hers way before me but I finally finished mine.

It was a little tricky but we took our time working with the micron pens over the bumpy surface.  Surprisingly enough I had a better time filling in the initial darks with the 01 as it could get the sides of the threads.  Signed and Scotch-guarded of course.

I wore them today for the first time, sadly it was at the memorial gathering to celebrate this cherished woman. Every time I wear them it will be in honor of her spirit which I will gather with me and carry on.  Thank you my friend, I know you are smiling down on me with that approving look from heaven.

Another Visit to Irvine Park

Wow, another beautiful and fun day at Irvine Regional Park. The sun was out and there was a wonderful breeze again today.  After Yukun and I took our little walk, I took my chair over by the Zoo and sat to sketch this scene. I took it back to the group to paint it and picked up some little treasures along the way.  There were seven of us today and we all enjoyed the outdoors and a picnic lunch with each other.

5" x 7" Robert Bateman Sketchbook
Pen and Watercolor

There was a group of kids at the park with Peace Camp.  Three years ago while sketching at the park a group sat in front of us to eat their lunch.  I loved their logo and sketched it my book.  When I saw another group of Peace Campers today I shared my page from 2008 with them.  One of the camp leaders asked if I could send him a copy which I did.  I took that as a nice compliment!

5" x 7" Robert Bateman Sketchbook
Pen and Watercolor