RETIRO PARK FORMAL GARDENS DRAWING, MADRID SPAIN

At one end of this gorgeous park in Madrid are formal gardens. The trees are shaped in the most unusual way. Very fun to draw. There is a high arching wall and then a curving staircase down to the gardens and then out to the street if you continue on the path. I sat on top of the wall, looking down to draw this view. My sister did a watercolor painting. Here she is sitting on the wall. You can see her painting and her set up. Click on any of the images to get a larger, more detailed look.

Today I went with Chris Beck to a fabulous exhibit at the Old Mint in San Francisco. She had e-mailed me about this exhibit and I thought it would be a nice opportunity to spend some time with a new friend. Having another artist to discuss a show with is the best time possible. I have passed by this building (circa 1860's) many times but it is closed to the public. For a week is had been opened for this special showing. The artist, Elaine Badgley Arnoux, is an 82-year-old woman who started doing these portraits of 140 San Franciscans back in 1978. She used many different materials from graphite, colored pencil, gouache, watercolor, charcoal in various combinations. One was dated March, 2009 (Hot off the Press!) A very impressive body of work.

REFRESHMENTS IN RETIRO PARK, MADRID

I try to take my Moleskin sketchbook with me everywhere. I am getting better at using it. I decided a little hand mirror might be a good addition to the art kit. That way you could see people without continually looking at them directly. When your eyes meet while you are drawing a stranger, it feels a little weird!

We scheduled a guided walking tour of the beautiful Retiro Park in Madrid. It is huge, reminding me a little of Golden Gate Park here in San Francisco. Turned out that day was Father's Day in Spain. They chose the birthday of their patron saint to be the official Father's Day. It was the middle of the week but an official holiday and the park was filled to the brim with people. Lots of strolling musical groups. One energetic group played Dixieland Jazz and seemed to be following us as we moved from place to place. We stopped for refreshments and I drew some of the people around me.

Today I decided to sit down and do some drawing for a few hours even though I have a list a mile long of things I need to accomplish. I knew if I didn't make it a priority above all else, it wouldn't get done. The drudgery of everyday life can so easily take over and push out the good stuff. People often ask me how I get so much art done. My "secret" is I put art first. The things on my list will get done because I have no choice. Maybe at midnight, but they get done. I still have my office to clean up after I post tonight. I think I need a wife!