Rocks on the Summit

Hiking in Colorado Springs. The top of "Mt Emma"

Quick Trail Sketch

Lately hiking has become my number one way to stay @unstringingthebow. Yet, I have been missing my sketching habit of former days. After hiking today in redrockcanyon I came back home and made this quick sketch to help remember this wonderful day in nature. 

Gold Camp Road Rock Tunnel

This was a challenge. I loved the scene, but it was challenge to draw the cut rock. As I made this I kept thinking of the strong men who somehow cut out that hole!! Wow.Dedication. Believe it or not, all those lines were a great way to relax - to "unstring the bow".

Two Buddies

We had breakfast at Ivywild in Colorado Springs - at the Old School Bakery. I loved sketching these two buddies have a great breakfast and a nice visit.

Sketching Garden of the Gods

We love to find new angles in this park - only 4 miles from our house.

Sketching Maroon Bells

Naturally, it's hard to capture the beauty of this spot but I made an attempt. They say, this is the most photographed spot in all of Colorado and it's easy to see why. 

Later I added ink to the drawing. Much better I think.

A sketch from a recent hike

We hike a lot around the area where we live in Colorado. I never tire of these kinds of rock formations. 

If only this tree could talk

Saw this tree while hiking with Sandee and just had to sketch it. 

Sketching in Manitou Springs, CO

A beautiful day in Manitou Springs, CO. I was able to find a few moments to unstring the bow and sketch this monument to Mr. Wheeler. 

Sketching at the Dr's office

Had to sketch this scene while waiting for Sandee at the chiropractor. Little Sedona wasn't feeling well and stayed with her grandma under the desk.

 Sedona perked up when I showed her my sketch. 

CS Philharmonic Free Concert and Fireworks

A beautiful 4th of July evening. The concert was fantastic! Thank you Colorado Springs and Philharmonic. 

Sketching in the America the Beautiful Park

What's better than a good bike ride with your wife and a chance to sketch a scene like this? Not much. 

The Siamese Twins

My wife recently discovered this "twin" formation in the Garden of the Gods Park. She led me to this place and I knew I had to sketch it. I'm taking some risks here and trying to figure out how to watercolor. I have a long way to go before I am completely satisfied with this medium. In the meantime it's a good way to unstring the bow. 

Pikes Peak Stipple Drawing

This drawing of Pikes Peak was done using the stippling technique: 347,452 individual dots. Yes, I counted them all. :-) This is the same mountain that I see every morning on my drive to work.

The Balanced Rock - Garden of the Gods

Watercolor of the famous Balanced Rock in the Garden of the Gods park, Colorado Springs, CO. A beautiful winter day. 

A sketch at La Baguette and that other coffee shop...

This weekend we got to enjoy the Colorado Balloon Classic - 68 hot air balloons in the sky!! On Saturday we went to the launch very early in the morning and when we got there it was cancelled due to high winds. So we headed downtown and had breakfast at the La Baguette Cafe in Colorado Springs! That place was amazing. We loved the atmosphere, the friendly service, and food. We enjoyed being able to just sit and visit and sketch!

We tried to go the next morning after the balloon classic (successful this time), but La Baguette was closed - so we went to Starbucks downtown.

Below I'm sketching at the Starbucks on N. Tejon.

A sketch at The Broadmoor

For our anniversary Sandee and I spent several hours at The Broadmoor, walked around the place, had lunch, took photos, and then sat and soaked it all in and sketched. What a great way to unstring the bow. Thank you Lord for your creation. Thank you for blessing me with a wonderful wife.

Sketching in Ute Valley Park

j

There are lots of ways to Unstring the Bow. I've found sketching to be a good fit for me - but going on a good hard hike with my wife in the mountains is another good one. Combining a hike WITH sketching - well, that's just about perfect!

Is that rock interesting? In Ute Valley there is a ridge that we like to hike on and the rocks up there are truly fascinating. And of course, the view is incredible too.

 

A saturday morning in Manitou Springs

This was a saturday morning back in June. Sandee and I went to town early and sat outside at the Spice of Life coffee shop. It was a great way to start the day. An added benefit was to be able to get in a quick sketch. Coffee, Sandee, sketching - is there anything better than that?

Putting on the finishing touches to the sketch. 

Sketching in Palmer Park

Sandee and I had a good hike in Palmer Park on the weekend. At one point she stopped and took photos while I made a sketch. We are pretty fascinated with the trees here - especially those with the root system exposed. They look old and rugged - so that's what I tried to capture. My photo isn't that great - since I don't have access to a scanner while traveling.

I actually finished this sketch on a trip to Quito, Ecuador. I hope to find something interesting to sketch while I'm there.