Durbes Pils, Tukum, Latvia

Durbes Pils, Tukum, Latvia
Originally uploaded by roflute

This month I was finally able to get a drawing done in time for the Virtual Paintout hosted by Bill Guffey.  Each month he picks a different location to travel to using Google Streetmaps.  Latvia is the location for June.  Most times I travel all over trying to decide what to draw and run out of month to get my drawing done.  Here is one of my choices.  This is one of the outbuildings for the Durbes Manor House on the outskirts of Tukum, Latvia.  Here is the Link for the google map.  Latvia has alot of interesting architecture.  There are loads of castles, abandoned buildings, modern homes, etc.  If you want to find out more about the Durbes Castle, here is a website. One of the outbuildings intrigued me more than the manor house itself.  This building sits at the entrance to the complex.

 This drawing is done in colored pencil on brown paper bag type paper.  It's a sketchbook I have reserved for only google streetmap drawings.  Enjoy!

Some more Drawings to catch up on

Trying to draw every day is not very easy and I haven't been able to keep up with this challenge very well but I am determined to finish. It is good practice and I find that when I exercise my drawing fingers, there is an improvement to how things go down on paper. So here are some more entries in my Everyday in May moleskine. I had fun drawing these eggs. Maybe I should have tried to do them in watercolor. These are colored pencil and micron marker. Not happy with this bag drawing. I need to be more patient and observant with the crinkles and folds. Done in graphite.
I'm comfortable with drawing apples. Can you tell? Done with Derwent watercolor pencils. A little Tufted Titmouse done in prismacolor pencils. This was the day that my nephew graduated from Virginia Tech. What an experience! The Commencement was held in the football stadium as there were about 5000 graduates. I've never seen so many black caps and gowns in one place. Michelle Obama gave the Commencement address along with Virginia Senator Mike Warner. Both very good, motivational speeches. I am so proud of my nephew. Afterwards, the family went back to the house and had a nice bbq. A very enjoyable day!

Some more of my EDiM Drawings

Here are some more of my drawings for May. It is good to be drawing again.

EDiM 4 Draw a Present

EDiM 4 Draw a Present
Originally uploaded by roflute

Time to get caught up on posting. At least a little bit. This calendar holds a special place in my heart. Whenever I sit by my computer I see it and it reminds me of my one and only niece. She knows I am a cat lover.

Every Day in May

Cedar Point Lighthouse, Long Island, NY
Originally uploaded by roflute

This is the second year that I am attempting this challenge. Last year I got about halfway through the month before the busy-ness of my life got in the way. Hopefully I will succeed to draw something each day in May and post it to the Flickr group. I like that they have a list to follow to give us inspiration.

It was rainy most of the day on Tuesday so I chose a photo I took last May of this abandoned lighthouse at Cedar Point beach on Eastern Long Island, NY. I remember it being a nice hike getting to this place and watching all the terns and shorebirds on the way.

This sketch was done pretty quickly since I wanted to get it done the actual first day in May. I need to practice sketching quick and work my way to sketching on location

Happy Easter

Happy Easter
Originally uploaded by roflute

These lovely daffodils are the first things blooming in my little patio garden. I want to wish all my family and friends a very blessed Easter and Passover. Enjoy!

Time to be CREATIVE

After whiling away hours on Pinterest (so addicting) I kept coming across colorfully lettered quotes that I really enjoyed. Wow! I wish I could do that. I like to doodle. I like Calligraphy and I like catchy sayings and quotes that make me go hmmm.... I found an online class filled with tutorials of just what I was looking for. I have to learn to be looser with my writing style but I love the color and all the different techniques and seeing what others have accomplished so far. Here are some of my projects so far: The class can be found HERE if you want to sign up. $$$ well spent! Thanks, Joanne Sharpe!


This is my Letter Love Book all snazzy'd up.

My mantra








Getting some color on. I used panpastels for the first time. Pretty cool stuff!

Time to put on those walking shoes

Spring is here and winter is officially over (not that winter really made it's presence known here on Long Island this year).  Time to get some spring cleaning done and that is what I was doing last weekend.  This weekend was back to getting some play time in.  One day was spent with some photographer friends at Wertheim National Wildlife Refuge where I enjoyed watching a few osprey hunting fish.  There was also a pair busy at nest building.


The trails are easy and it was nice weather for a good walk with friends

Been working on some new products in my ArbeePhotos store on Zazzle.  Here is one of my new products.  

Great Horned Owl MacBook Sleeve by Arbeephotos
Browse Zazzle for a different MacBook Air sleeve.

Happy 2012

Another year has started.  What will this year hold?  I have promised myself this year to work on my photography and my art.  To design more products for Zazzle and get serious with designing more greeting cards for my Greeting Card Universe store.  There is certainly no lack of material with all the photos I have taken over the years.  It's a good way to learn some photoshop skills too.  I have been inspired with all the wonderful storefronts my fellow shopkeepers have set up.  Feel free to check out my shops.  Any feedback is very much appreciated.  Have a wonderful year everyone, full of God's richest blessings!