I love grouping miniature drawings, mine or the work of others. Art is such a subjective thing. I say, if you love it buy it and it will enrich your life. Some people don't think ink and pencil drawings are "real" art or fine art. I would call what I do folk art, which is fine with me. When I look at it, it makes me happy. That's my definition of art!

It didn't take long after moving to San Juan Island to catch the local condition called "whale fever". No, it's not a version of the swine flu. Most people here are nuts for the Orca whales that live in these waters approximately April through October. It's hard not to get excited at seeing one of these huge, yet graceful, animals propel themselves out of the water right in front of you (if you're lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time).

This ink and pencil drawing is 5x7 inches, matted and framed to 8x10.

In the late 1800's a ship load of cattle wrecked near the southern tip of San Juan Island, Washington. The bovines were forced to swim ashore and populated the area. The following year the area was named Cattle Point and a lens lantern was established. Fifty years later the present octagonal shaped lighthouse structure was built. The original red tile roof has since been removed, I have so far been unable to find out why. But I found out that all Washington State lighthouses have red roofs. When asked why, one parks employee simply said, "all Washington State lighthouses have red roofs." There is something to be said for tradition.

This Cattle Point lighthouse drawing measures 2 1/2 x 3 1/2 inches in a 4x6 silver metal frame.

I love lighthouses, especially this one. North Head lighthouse in Ilwaco, Washington was lit for the first time in 1898, about fifty years after Cape Disappointment light just a few miles south. What does it say about the dangers of navigating the waters of the mouth of the Columbia River that not one, but two lighthouses were needed to keep ships safe? The Columbia River bar, where the fresh water from as far north as the Canadian Rockies meets the salt water of the Pacific Ocean, is one of the most dangerous river bars in North America. By the way, consider this paragraph a sneak peek at my soon to be published novel ;)

This 3x3 ink and pencil drawing of North Head lighthouse is framed to 5x5, available.

Arbutus menziesii or Pacific madrone is arguably one of the most beautiful trees growing in the Pacific Northwest. It's reddish-brown to orange bark peels away to reveal areas of yellow-green or magenta under bark. I have seen whole branches exhibit the color of a fine Merlot while the tree next to it sports the more common orange to mustard yellow variation of color. It's dark green leaves are thick and leathery and are evergreen, the older leaves dropping cyclically, leaving the tree essentially unchanging through the seasons. Madrone is frost intolerant and prefers rocky, well drained soils...welcome to San Juan island, perfect habitat for Pacific madrone. This ink and pencil drawing of Pacific madrone measures 5x7 and is currently matted and framed to 11x14 in. (SOLD)

This Tuscan villa with wine grapes bring the colors of Italy home. Matted and framed in a rustic green and gold 7x9 inch wood frame.

I call this ink and pencil drawing 'English Countryside'. The greens and yellows create a rich tapestry of color that will quench the eye. Drawing is 3x3 framed to 5x5 inches in a rustic bronze colored wood frame. All of my work is for sale, message me if you're interested. Thanks for looking.

Fields of Gold 6x8 ink and pencil drawing in an 8x10 intricate gilded frame.

"Sunflowers & Wine #2" in another amazing 8x10 gold leaf thrift store find frame.

I call this drawing "Sunflowers & Wine #1". I don't usually title my work, other than including a few words of description when appropriate, but I did for this one (and for S & W #2) because there are two things that are grown most in Tuscany: wine grapes and sunflowers. I'm sure they grow lots of other things too, but the colors of these two crops go together beautifully on paper. I found this amazing 8x10 rustic gold leaf frame at a fundraiser rummage sale.