Main Street, Scottsdale, AZ

I was able to fit in a few moments to make an "unstring the bow" sketch in Arizona this week.

I'm not used to seeing palm trees. Wow. Those things are magnificent.

The weather wasn't bad either. It was in the 90s and its November!

It was great to meet old friends at Malee's Thai Bistro - man I LOVE Thai food.

"The Arch" in Ute Valley Park

Sandee and I went on another hike today - just "unstringing the bow" after my trip to California. This time we went to Ute Valley Park and we found this little rock formation. I just HAD to try and sketch it. It was great to be outdoors and to draw God's good creation.

Wow. What a spectacular place. I was grateful to be standing in that spot.

California Capital Building.

I was in Sacramento this week to attend an ACSI convention. I had a few moments and so I was able to sketch the California Capital building. I found the sketching to be very relaxing.

This photo (below) was taken using my iphone with Pro HDR app. Not bad.

Sermon Sketch 24 October 2010

Matt's sermon today was full of visual imagery. He started with "Doubting" Thomas from John 21. I really liked his use of two chairs - one rickety, and one strong. We make faith-based-upon-evidence decisions all the time.

Oh, I noticed I put the wrong date on my sketch.

Sketching and bike riding at Fox Run Park

Another great day to unstring the bow. Sketching and riding my mountain bike with Sandee. Stuff like this keeps me sane.

A gift from God

Aspen trees are new to us. We are amazed at the fire-yellow color of the leaves right now. Stunning. Do you pause to thank God for gifts like these?

Picture taken at Fox Run Park north of Colorado Springs.

Sermon Sketch 17 Oct 2010

The pastor began his sermon by reminding us of that moment when the first probe enter that Chilean mine. What a great reminder of hope from above. It was easy to sketch this quickly.

Amazed at Colorado

I haven't done watercolor in a very long time. I really like the top half of this painting the best. I need to keep practicing this artform. No matter - it's still a wonderful way to relax and unstring the bow after a full week of work.

We took this shot on a recent drive near Rampart Reservoir above Colorado Springs.

Trying Watercolor Again

I'm trying watercolor again today. It's been a long time since I've tried it. More than anything I love this creative process - it's very refreshing. Everyone needs an outlet where they can express their God-given creativity - whether its watercolor painting, writing, running, playing the piano. It's a great way to relieve stress.

Rampart Reservoir Sketch

Sandee and I went on a hike part way around the Rampart Reservoir today. It's northwest of Colorado Springs and about 9000 feet above sea level. Wow. Beautiful place. This was another sunny, cloudless day.

God, the most creative of all, most have had some fun placing each and every rock in a unique way. It's crazy cool.

A Saturday morning sketch

Sandee and I went for coffee about 3 miles from our home here in Colorado Springs. This particular shop has an incredible view of Pikes Peak and the "Front Range". Good thing the views are free!

I enjoyed sketching again. I find it incredibly relaxing.

Some people left after started sketching them.

Wow! The coffee tastes even better with views like these. We find ourselves saying "Wow" and "Thank you Lord!" a lot these days.

It's been a while

"The Land Between"

I made this sketch during a lecture at the Willowcreek Global Leadership Summit. Mr. Manion spoke to us about his new book on the same topic. Good stuff.

Psalm 91:13

If you've been around me, you know how much I love the Basel Muenster. I was there again the other day. There are so many meaningful messages to be found in and around this cathedral. Here is one of my favorites.

In the King James Bible Psalm 91:13 says, "Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet."

Inside this cathedral there is a way you can fulfill this very scripture....check it out.

(I didn't take this first photo.)

Notice the glass plate in the floor there? It is located very near the front area of the church - near the raised pulpit. Let's take a closer look.

Under the glass is a very old stone (part of the original cathedral floor) with a "dragon" painted on it. It is here in the floor to serve as an illustration of Psalm 91:13 - that Christ followers would indeed trample dragons under their feet. That's my foot in the photo trampling on the dragon. I think this is really cool. Everytime I go there I try and trample on the dragon before leaving the church.

Rhein River - Basel Switzerland

It was a very hot day in July 2010 when I made this sketch.

The best part was seeing the Harrop family go swimming by while I sketched. They all waved and yelled at me from the river.

Sermon Sketch 27 June 2010

The speaker at church (Crossroads Basel) today spoke from John 2 where Jesus performs his first miracle - turning water into wine. As I listened I got to thinking about how that miracle happened and made a little sketch. Of course, I'm pretty sure there were no glass cups on that day, but still...

I like the quote from Michael Card "Our faith was conceived at a party by one who loved parties." Check it out - the disciples come to faith at this event!! John 2:11.

Our speaker also recommended the movie"Babette's Feast" as an example of this kind of extravagant love. I've never seen it but it looks good.

My sketch is trying to show how the miracle may have happened...

Sketching in the hospital

Keeping my bad arm elevated

the view of my bed and out my window

the view out the window

Sketch in Kayserberg, France

A fine day for a sketch.

Klingentor at Rothenberg ob der Tauber

The entire town of Rothenberg is sketcheable. I chose this tower because it was less tourist-y than the other usual locations. It was a beautiful day - chilly - but bright and sunny. We enjoyed walking along the ancient wall that begins at this tower.

This street was one of the more quieter streets. Cars actually do drive pass and go through the tower gate.

I like the reflection of the sun on the house across the street in this picture.

A sketch at the coffee shop

Sandee and I went to a coffee shop (a well known coffee shop that starts with "Star...") in Basel after church. We had a nice time sipping our drinks, talking, and reading books. I finally got out my sketchbook and drew the two friends talking to each other across the room.

Sketch at the Stuecki Mall, Basel

What a nice start to the day: a double tall late with Sandee, followed by a quick sketch from the overflow seating area at Starbucks.

Making a sketch is a perfect way to unstring the bow. Very much needed right now.