Mt. Ashland Hill Run - Ashland, OR

S.O.R.E's Lost Creek Trail Tribute Run

The Southern Oregon Running Enthusiast club (S.O.R.E) hosted a tribute run today around Lost Creek Lake.  Apparently, one of the victims from the Boston Marathon bombing was from Medford and had ties to the club.  Local bakeries and grocery stores donated treats and beverages.  Volunteers manned aid stations.  Pretty girls stretched and drank coffee.  A few of the runners participated in that tragic Boston Marathon and shared stories.  The run was 18.5 miles and went by quickly.  The weather was perfect - sunshine with a gentle breeze.

Shale City Disk Golf Course - Ashland, OR

April Snow Flurry

Initial Rough Sketch - Koalas

*There are lots of different approaches I'm willing to consider in illustrating my Koala story (water color, pastel, colored pencil, ect).  My most natural approach is this: sketching fairly small and lightly with pencil, then going over the drawing with a very fine pen, using light but free gestures.  Then (missing from my sketch) finish the drawing with colored pencil.  It will be a challenge to capture the foggy, misty vibe in the beginning of the story. I'll find softer white paper and order more of the pens I like. 

Koalas and eucalyptus leaves are fun to draw (I envision the setting with more of a floral presence than my drawing has, larger leaves, more developed branches).  I like drawing the Koalas snuggled together.  Their little eyes and big fuzzy faces make for fun facial expressions - something that makes me nervous trying to convey.  I want my male Koala to look a little hairier, larger, and more disheveled.  The female a little smaller, more kept, a bit sweeter.  I didn't get the koala muzzle quite right and his hand looks creepy.  

I envision the book being a little smaller than most (this sketch is the size of driver's licence).  I'll draw on a larger scale than usual to allow for more detail, but too much white space freaks me out.  I think it's fun to add small simple things throughout the illustration for the eye to find and the setting in the tree still allows for that - I'm thinking insects, lizards, flowers, berries and such.  

Weather and color is an important part of the story.  Mood.  Fog, mist, and cloudiness in the beginning, then the stormy night that breaks the next morning, the sun finally comes out, and the story ends with a starry moon lit night.  

I'm having as much fun writing the story as illustrating it, but I'll save that for separate posts...

  

Spring Drive Home - Nevada City, CA to Ashland, OR