August 2026

On the Road Again?

​Our summer trip was exciting and exhausting. We met wonderful people and did 4 workshops in the cool Northwest. As for the future, I totally doubt that we will teach ‘on the road’ again. Like Johnny Cash, “I’ve been everywhere, man!” The van is finally totally empty, but my office is piled high and I want to turn it’s function into a studio. I can see parts of the desk and the large stack of boxes on the floor is orderly, but in the way. I can’t get into my bank account or g-mail. The phone keeps ringing with solicitations. This at least is irritating enough to keep me sorting stuff to clear space!

Regata - Coupville

---

Lessons Learned

Langley Street Dahlias

Street Folk

Langley Street People

It’s funny how you get lessons learned. I really push the small 6 x 4 format for sketching plein air so no one notices you or interrupts. Many plein air sketchers take out big books, making themselves an obvious attraction. In Langley, Washington, a favorite town, two of us were looking for a perfect spot for sketching and found another artist sketching with a big book at a convenient table with an umbrella. He invited us to join him under the shade. While we sketched, he entertained all the people who came by to talk to him because of his set-up. He was amazed at what we sketched while he talked. These may not be my best sketches, but I got three while he got to chat. I love being almost invisible so I can concentrate on having fun sketching.  ​

---

​The guys watching the FIFA final in Barrington’s bar never noticed I was sketching. Sketch and you’ll never notice you are bored!

---

Home Again

We’re back in Tucson and it’s summer-hot. Yesterday hit 104 but then had a spectacular thunder storm in the evening. The temperature is down today (96), but it’s humid. October is coming. Speaking of which, I plan the first 3-day Basic Workshop in our home studio in October.
​

---

Upcoming Workshops

​Sept 3 - Oct 8   The Tucson Drawing Studio - Six 3-hour sessions on Thursdays
www.thedrawingstudio.org
​Oct 5, 6, 7           Basic Home Studio
([email protected])
​
Also planned are 2 Online Basic Workshops sponsored by the Pacific Northwest Art School beginning October 17th or November 7th. These have Five 2-hour sessions every 3 days with homework and recordings available for 2 weeks. Not on their calendar yet but we will keep you updated. www.pacificnorthwestartschool.com 
​

BIG ANNOUNCEMENTS

PBS Season 5

​Season Five for PBS is here from WGVU for my review and approval. It was filmed totally plein air (which means outdoors on location). Zach Liniewski has been editing feeds from two cameras, a drone, a roving camera plus microphone for almost a full year. He’s done an amazing job! It is scheduled to be released in December. I’ve reviewed two of the 14 Episodes and will get to the rest ASAP. The two (a fountain and a waterfall) are exciting!  Because I strongly believe Pocket Sketching is meant to be used everywhere you go, I’m totally excited about this Season!
​

Membership Option

​We continue to work on bringing to you the best streaming experience where you can view and practice anytime, anywhere on your computer, tablet or phone . Susan, our 'Techie' who has been building the new site, was down for a few weeks from a medical issue. She is back (yes I am) and working diligently to get this ready for the eager followers who have already requested to participate.

She is adding a "COMMUNITY" where member artists can share their sketches (4 x 6) and chat with other members, some SPECIALS available to Founding Members, and multiple levels of participation so everyone can join the fun.

We WILL send out an announcement once it's available. The header in your email will be: Pocket Sketching® Studio. Share your interest and any questions with our Assistant, Susan: [email protected].

Have a peek at the quality of videos you'll be watching, filmed and produced by WGVU for PBS nationally. The video on this Button is a Preview of Season 2 Episode 5

SCRAPING

Happy Sketching!