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. 

Sketch in Riquewihr, France

I finally finished this sketch from the village of Riquewihr, France. This was originally done on June 4 in pencil (see below) and today I finally put the finishing touches on the pen and ink version. I've been busy over the last few weeks, but also I almost didn't want to finish this sketch since it means no more sketches from Europe for a long time. You just can't find scenes like this in Colorado. No offense, we live in a beautiful place, but the Alsace is the Alsace.

While finishing this sketch today it sure felt good to draw again. I need to make space for the creative in my life. 

Sketching in Basel, Switzerland along the Rhein

It was awesome to spend some time along the Rhein this week and make another travel sketch. Of course, we used to live here before we moved to Colorado - so this is not the first time I have sketched this spot. We hold many wonderful memories from this city and from this very spot.

It was fun to add in the backhoe into this sketch - it adds a little quirky element.

Sketching in Kayserberg, France

 I loved sketching these old buildings in the beautiful village of Kayserberg, France - the hometown of Albert Schweitzer by the way.

This is my initial pencil sketch - I had to work fast because I agreed to meet Sandee back at the square.

Standing in one spot sketching locks in the sights, sounds, the weather, even the smells of the moment. 

Sketching in Basel, Switzerland

 This week we were in Europe - back near our old home in Kandern, Germany. While  there we had a chance to visit Basel, Switzerland again. Had to try sketching at Barfusserplatz. What a great spot to sit and unstring the bow.

Tyler and his Kindle

I liked this picture of Tyler, our younger son, so much that I had to try and sketch it. I really like all the folds in his clothes and the shadows they created.
We were attending Luke's (our other son) graduation from Taylor University and during a break in the celebrations Tyler sat down in the grass to read his Kindle.
Like Tyler I always make it a point to have something to read with me at all times to make productive use of spare moments. Do you do that?
Reading and sketching is a great way to unstring the bow.

Sketching in Taiwan

As usual I try to find a few moments on my trips to "unstring the bow" and find something unusual to sketch. This week I was in Taiwan visiting Morrison Academy. In the center of campus are these old huge trees that are shaped like bonsai trees. I had to try and sketch one of them.

Proof that I was really there!

Check out those trees!! Cool, right? I think so. The campus is beautiful and the trees help make it that way. That high-rise in the background houses their dormitories and staff housing. 

Bingham Academy Sketch

Found time to sketch the old main building on the campus of Bingham Academy, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. If only that building could talk! I'm sure it would have many stories to tell about the students who walked its halls.

Proof that I was really there. It was a beautiful sunny day. Addis lays at an elevation of 7000 feet so it's sunny, breezy, and very low humidity all the time. Notice the tin roofs! 

A shepherd, his sheep, and his cellphone - Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

While visiting in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia I was really struck with this little scene. I call it "A shepherd, his sheep, and his cellphone. Wow. 

Sketches from Manila, Philippines

I was recently in Manila, Philippines. I enjoyed seeing the local form of transportation - bikes and motorcycles with sidecars. Cool. 

Yep, that's me in the sideview mirror. Sometimes you have to do the tourist-thing. 

I was able to steal a few moments during my visit to Faith Academy to do a quick sketch on campus. What a beautiful location. 

It was a pleasure to be with the Faith Academy staff during my accreditation visit. 

Sketching in San Antonio de Ibarra, Ecuador

It was a beautiful day when we stopped in the small village of San Antonio de Ibarra to sightsee a little bit. I was drawn to the village square and to this statue. I would almost rather bring back a sketch than some curio. Tell me something, my guess is that you used to sketch or doodle when you were younger - why did you stop?

While I was sketching a bird stopped and landed on the head of San Miguel de Ibarra. Cool. Click on the picture below if you don't believe me. 

As usual I made a quick pencil sketch and then finished it with ink on the flight back home.

Sketching in Quito, Ecuador

I was in Quito, Ecuador this week for a teacher conference. Of course, I needed to find a moment to express some creativity and make a sketch. I am always interested in architecture and so the building in this sketch was super interesting. Of course, the wires overhead add something to this sketch. Oh, and you can't go anywhere in this world without seeing the KFC Colonel. 

I hope you noticed the airplane. The airport is extremely close to the city - well, actually right in the city - so the planes come very close. 

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.

Sketching in Cameroon, C. Africa

I was in Cameroon this week to do a school consultation visit at Rain Forest Academy. It was a very busy time - but between visiting the school, interviews, observations, and report writing I made a bit of time to "unstring the bow" and make a few sketches. The sketch below is the courtyard of the guesthouse where I stayed. 

A 7 year old Cameroonian/American boy, McKenvoy, sat beside me in the airport waiting area and pulled out his spiral bound sketchbook and started to draw pictures. I said, "Hey, that's a good idea" and then I got out my sketchbook and then the two of us sketched while waiting for our flight to Brussels. What a great way to pass the 2 hour wait we had between 11:00pm and 1:00am waiting to board. 

McKenvoy if you're out there - it was nice to meet you. I wish I had a photo of the two of us sketching. 

The flight from Bussels to DC was a long one. What better way to pass the time than sketching. How many of you have sat in seat 20B? I was tempted to title this "so close, yet so far away" to refer to the Business Class seats just three rows ahead of me. Oh how I wished I could have had the extra room to lay back and rest.

Sketching on the airplane. On my final flight to Colorado - a steward saw me sketching and made a big scene about how good my work was - she then told the couple across the aisle, her colleague, and then told a guy at the back of the plane who was also sketching on the flight. Later Scott came from the back of the plane, sat beside me, showed me his sketches and we had a very nice talk for most of the rest of the flight. Hey Scott, it was nice to meet you, man. Happy sketching!

Another sketch in Breckenridge

It was fun to try and find interesting building to sketch this weekend in Breckenridge, Colorado. I really liked this tiny church - St. John's Episcopal. 

Sketching in Breckenridge, CO

Sandee and I were able to spend the weekend in Breckenridge, CO thanks to some friends. It's a beautiful ski-town about 2.5 hours drive from here. It was great to get away and relax (unstring the bow), sketch, hike, and sit in the sun. 

Sketching in Galveston

Spent a couple of days in the beautiful city of Galveston, Texas this week. I found a few moments between workshop sessions to go outside and sketch a scene from the Moody Gardens. Sketching is a wonderful creative release for me. What's the creative thing that you do?

 

Six Months in Colorado and thoughts on Unstringing the Bow

My wife and I just passed the six month mark in our move to Colorado. Sandee reflected on this mile marker on her blog the other day. I thought what she had to say was excellent and described our journey very well. Click here to read her post.

Mike Rohde, a designer, was very honest about the busyness in his life and how he is confronting it in a recent post on his website. I think you will appreciate and be encouraged by his remarks. Click here to read Mike's story about his "Crazy Good Year".

Quick Sunday Sketch

We went to "First-Pres" for church this morning. The Pastor surprised everyone and used an empty casket to illustrate his message from Ephesians 2:1-10 titled, "Dead Man Walking". It was a very good challenge.  

I enjoyed sketching this scene and trying the capture the size of this auditorium. The stain glass windows and high ceiling made me miss my Basel Cathedral. 

Pacing One's Self

Do you recall the time when Jesus overturned the money-changer’s tables in the Temple? (Mark 11:15-18) That was one stressful situation and it would have taken some serious courage and a large dose of adrenalin to accomplish. It would have been extremely draining, but it had to be done. Here’s my question: why that day? Certainly the day that Jesus overturned the tables was not the first time he saw those tables. So, why didn’t he act sooner? I don’t know for sure, but for some reason, he waited for the right day. Jesus somehow knew how to pace himself for the battles he would face and so he did not take on each battle in his first week of service. As a leader I have to ask myself am I willing and able to look for the Father’s timing to tackle the stressful leadership issues that I face? I’m not advocating procrastination, rather I am advocating common sense pacing and listening for orders from above. 

These thoughts were taken from my "Unstringing The Bow Story - the long version". To read more click here.