Unstringing the Bow 1

This blog has moved!

2011-01-13T04:40:00.002+01:00

I have moved my blog to a new address www.unstringingthebow.blogspot.com.
Same good content.

Wow!

2010-12-24T05:46:00.001+01:00

To see more fantastic photos like these, visit my wife's blog.

Sermon Notes

2010-12-19T20:49:00.001+01:00

Today's Sermon notes. Pastor Matt Heard, Woodmen Valley Chapel

A Meeting Doodle

2010-12-19T20:26:00.001+01:00

Did this doodle during a staff meeting this week (I was paying attention I promise). No planning, just doodling. I'm always surprised at what appears as I doodle. I wonder what it means? I better take this to my next counseling session. :-)

The Three Graces

2010-12-05T21:00:00.003+01:00

Yesterday we spent a bit of time in "Garden of the Gods". I just had to try and capture this set of outcroppings known as "The Three Graces". Amazing!!

My Moleskine is full so I used a larger format sketchbook this day. I kinda like the size of it.

You can see some tourists trying to walk in and up the "graces". Those rocks are irresistible.

It was quite cold. I forgot my gloves and so my drawing hand was very cold when I was done.

Sermon Notes 5 Dec 2010

2010-12-05T20:57:00.003+01:00

If you know me, you know I like to doodle during meetings and during church. Doodling helps me to pay attention. During sermons I like to focus my doodling to bring a visual element to the message. This is what came out of my pen this morning in church.

Hiking in Cheyenne Canon

2010-11-29T04:09:00.004+01:00

Sandee and I went on another hike today. This time we hit Cheyenne Canon and took the Columbine Trail. It was way too cold and windy to stay still and do a sketch on site, so I took a photo and make my sketch at home. I loaded the photo on to my laptop and then did my sketch as if I were standing on location.

Even though it was cold, we really enjoyed this hike. Hiking is a great way to stay in shape, marvel at God's beauty, and enjoy the company of my wife.

Sketch of Lincoln's Face

2010-11-26T03:45:00.003+01:00

I am trying to figure out how to draw faces. The face of Lincoln is extremely interesting to draw. Not a bad start. I love the shadows in this picture.

I have very pleasant memories from elementary school of Lincoln's framed face looking down on all of us in our classroom.

I'm almost done with the sketch below.

What a wonderful way to spend Thanksgiving Day Morning - watching the football game and making a sketch. I used a photo of Lincoln taken by my friend Bill when we visited the Lincoln memorial the other day.

Lincoln Memorial Drawing

2010-11-24T19:15:00.004+01:00

This week I was able to visit the Lincoln Memorial in Washington DC. Wow. It's a very moving thing to be in that hall. The sculpture is stunning. Thanks to Bill and Debbie Bateman for taking me there. I took this picture with my iphone.

Of course, I had to do a sketch. It was a great way to relax after attending and speaking at a two-day teacher conference.

Inking the pencil sketch made the time on my flight from DC to Colorado go by quickly. It's a great thing to find a creative release through sketching. Have you found your creative release? I have a brother who uses golf to unstring the bow. One of my other brothers raises work horses as his hobby.

I'm getting quite comfortable with drawing on airplanes. It's fun to talk with seat-mates who are curious about what I'm doing. The other day, one guy blurted out, "Are you an architect?!?" I wish I was.

This was fun to draw. I had no problem with Lincoln's body and the folds of his clothes. Faces still illude me. I need to practice drawing faces. Any suggestions how I can learn this skill?

Anaheim Convention Center Sketch

2010-11-21T02:05:00.003+01:00

I was able to do a sketch of the cool Anaheim Arena. Making this sketch was a good way to unstring the bow after two days at an ACSI teacher convention.

As usual I made a quick pencil sketch - I had to work fast because it was getting dark and chilly.

I applied ink to the drawing on my flight from Anaheim to Philadelphia. Thankfully, I got an upgrade to United First so I had lots of room to myself.

Almost finished on the flight.

Sketching Crowell Hall at Moody

2010-11-17T23:52:00.006+01:00

This is the finished product. It was fun to be in Chicago on the campus of Moody Bible Institute for the day. I had to sneak outside and make a sketch of the front of Crowell Hall. I love the look at that entrance.

See my drawing process below.

I always start with a pencil sketch. I try to work as quickly as I can - getting as much detail as I can. It was cold in Chicago this day so I worked extra fast.

Then I start to darken the sketch with my gel pen - inside the warm building!

I was able to finish the pen work on my flight from Chicago to Anaheim today. Thankfully, it was a smooth flight. Drawing made my four hour flight speed by.

Do you have a thing that you do where you lose track of time? It's good that you find that "place" - the "zone". I also call it "unstringing the bow".

Main Street, Scottsdale, AZ

2010-11-06T22:56:00.003+01:00

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

2010-10-31T04:29:00.004+01:00

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.

2010-10-31T04:25:00.005+01:00

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

2010-10-24T19:20:00.003+01:00

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

2010-10-18T00:02:00.004+01:00

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

2010-10-17T23:57:00.005+01:00

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

2010-10-17T02:09:00.002+01:00

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

2010-10-17T00:29:00.004+01:00

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

2010-10-11T02:03:00.003+01:00

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

2010-09-26T04:53:00.003+01:00

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

2010-09-12T19:08:00.003+01:00

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

Sermon Sketch 12 September 2010

2010-09-12T02:21:00.002+01:00

Pastor Matt Heard introduced an interesting series using an umbrella as the central illustration. Too often we use our black umbrella coverings (human attempts) instead using the red umbrella of God's Grace.

Sermon Sketch 5 Sep 2010

2010-09-06T23:54:00.003+01:00

The speaker spoke from a familiar passage in Exodus. I did a quick sketch trying to depict the moment Moses struck the rock. I was surprised to learn that the Rock is a symbol of Christ - the water of Life. Check it out...

"The Land Between"

2010-08-07T19:23:00.001+01:00

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

2010-07-18T20:19:00.003+01:00

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

2010-07-15T00:13:00.001+01:00

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 sketch. They all waved and yelled at me from the river.

Sermon Sketch 27 June 2010

2010-06-27T16:01:00.005+01:00

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

2010-05-29T13:19:00.003+01:00

Keeping my bad arm elevated

the view of my bed and out my window

the view out the window

view of the scar. the doc removed a badly infected bursa.

Sketch in Kayserberg, France

2010-05-29T11:46:00.007+01:00

A fine day for a sketch.

Klingentor at Rothenberg ob der Tauber

2010-02-28T20:24:00.003+01:00

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

2010-02-14T23:09:00.003+01:00

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

2010-02-06T14:57:00.003+01:00

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.

Freiburg Martinstor

2010-01-24T17:54:00.004+01:00

Drew this sketch yesterday in Freiburg, Germany. It's fun to draw on the street. It's so interesting to observe individuals trying to sneak a peek at what I'm doing.

I love this tower "Martinstor", but I don't like the McDonalds to the right of its base. Still it's a very beautiful piece of architecture.

I loved including all of the overhead cables in this sketch. It acts as a kinds of ceiling.

Sketch of Loerrach City Center

2009-12-29T23:25:00.002+01:00

Drew this standing out in the cold today. Nearly froze my hands off. First in pencil - about 30 minutes, and then later I darkened it with pen back at the house. Sorry about that "doubletake" watermark. I guess I have to purchase that stitching program to remove that mark. It was sure nice to draw again.

Sermon Sketch Dec 27 09

2009-12-28T14:51:00.003+01:00

I had never quite heard the Simeon story quite this way before. It's a perfect a message for the Sunday after Christmas - a sort of "rest of the story". The baby Jesus is brought to the temple 8 days after his birth and when Simeon sees the child he has a vision of what will be. He prays aloud, "I have seen your salvation which you have prepared for all people. He is a light to reveal God to the nations and he is the glory of your people Isreal!" Luke 2:30-32.

Speaker: Roger Ridley. Crossroads International Church of Basel.

Waiting at the airport - again

2009-11-09T20:15:00.003+01:00

Had a few minutes early this morning at the Frankfurt airport while waiting for a flight to Basel. I just got in from Lagos, Nigeria - so I was tired. Not too tired to draw. You can see pictures of that trip at Sandee's blog. Click here.

Herbst Messe 09 sketch

2009-10-30T21:04:00.003+01:00

I enjoyed doing this sketch on site. It's a challenge to draw when it's so chilly, but it was fun to visit with friends who came up to see what I was doing.

That's the bumper car ride on the left. It was very crowded with students and staff of Black Forest Academy. All of us had a blast. I took a break from sketching to go take a ride myself. It's so funny to see the pleasure students find in hunting me down with their bumper cars.

Meeting Doodles

2009-10-25T09:11:00.006+01:00

Had to sit in some important meetings this week. As usual I found myself doodling as a way of focusing my attention. And once again, I am surprised at what comes out of my pen. These sketches were unplanned. I started with the number 1 and then one thing lead to another...

My sketchbook - just the Rome sketches

2009-10-11T11:47:00.003+01:00

Concert in Venice Sketch 09

2009-10-11T11:44:00.004+01:00

This was a fun sketch to do. I liked the fact that the musicians are off to the side making in this drawing given it an unusual perspective. The concert itself was simply amazing.

This is a shot of the hall just before the musicians came out.

Ostia Antica Sketch 09

2009-10-11T11:40:00.003+01:00

We visited Ostia Antica, the ancient port city for Rome. Ostia Antica was basically abandoned due to disease and the fact that the silt filled the harbor.

Because this drawing is a two-pager I couldn't scan the full length. Here's a picture of it.

Sitting here and drawing this scene was pure pleasure. The day was very warm, but the breeze made up for it.

Here's the right side of the drawing.

Here's the left side of the sketch.

Rialto Bridge Sketch

2009-10-11T11:34:00.004+01:00

Venice is an incredible place to visit. I never tire of it. We brought the seniors here and told them to go explore. They did. I found a quiet spot where I could sketch the Rialto Bridge.

If you look closely that's me in the standing between red and green awning making my sketch. If you click on the picture you will see two waiters looking at my sketch.

This is a great shot of the waiter checking out my sketch. He was very kind and excited about what I was doing. He kept saying, "Complimentioso!"

Beach Day Sketch

2009-10-11T11:31:00.003+01:00

Those are my birkenstocks.

Trevi Fountain Sketch

2009-10-11T11:28:00.004+01:00

Sketching the Trevi Fountain is a challenge when you are sitting there. There is just SO much stuff in that space. I enjoyed trying to draw falling water. I think this sorta works. I didn't draw people into this sketch - as usual there were hundreds of people standing around the water's edge.

Pantheon Sketch

2009-10-11T11:24:00.003+01:00

This is my favorite sketch of all my Rome sketches. I guess I like the straight lines and shadows. This was really fun to draw.

I always like to find a different spot to sketch things - a different point of view. After worked on this sketch I walked to the right of the Pantheon and noticed another guy sketching the same building. He had the same exact sketchbook that I had, so we shared our drawings with each other. That was cool.

Beach Service Sketch

2009-10-11T11:18:00.003+01:00

On Sunday of the senior trip, we had a worship service on the beach. That was very special. The kids lead the singing and one of them spoke. It was very good. I did this quick sketch while they met.

Wouldn't you want to sketch on the beach?

Vatican Sketch 09

2009-10-11T10:50:00.004+01:00

Last week we were in Rome with the Class of 2010. I took the opportunity to make some sketches. This was a fast one done sitting in front of St. Peter's Basilica.

Here's a picture of me sketching. Please pardon's Sandee purse by feet - it's not mine!

Sunday sketch 27 09 09

2009-09-27T17:12:00.003+01:00

I was struck by this scene in Pastor David's sermon from Luke 8:43-48. You know the one where the shy, sick woman pressing through the massive crowd and touches (David said it was better translated "clutches") the hem of Jesus's garment. Jesus knew immediately that power left him and healed the one who touched him. Jesus had compassion on the unnamed lady who was desperate enough to simply touch him.

2009-09-06T12:17:00.006+01:00

This is what I drew during today's sermon taken from Luke 5:1-11. My favorite line was, "Jesus was done speaking, but he wasn't done teaching". I like the place of the boat in this sermon (not really the Pastor's point). For me the boat is the visual anchor for this message. Jesus spoke from this boat, then Peter catches fish from this boat, and finally Peter leaves and walks away from his boat after participating in Jesus' teaching to follow Christ.

Click on the picture for a closer look.

Materials: Moleskine blank book, Uniball Signo RT Gel 0.38. Time: length of sermon plus ten minutes to darken certain parts. Speaker: David Harrop, BFCF

a very quick sketch in Basel

2009-08-23T16:13:00.009+01:00

It was a beautiful day in Basel today. I had about 30 minutes to sketch this picture today. I had a few moments before picking up Sandee at the train station, and it was such a beautiful day that I had to make a quick sketch below this bridge. When I got home I took another 30 minutes to darker the picture.

Man, it's been so long since I've drawn anything. It's feels good to draw again. It feels better to have Sandee home today.

Swiss Worship

2009-08-17T19:17:00.002+01:00

Old Swiss Lady at worship service Basel Munster. 16 August 2009.

Sketches from a Conference

2009-07-30T16:33:00.004+01:00

I recently attended a conference for leaders of Christian schools. Really good stuff - it definitely recharged my batteries. I was able to meet Jon Bauer (www.jon-bauer.com) at the conference. He is an award winning Christian musician from Canada. Good stuff.
This sketch and the one below were done during the conference. As I have noted recently, I find it just a bit easier to concentrate if I have something to sketch.

If you have ever stayed at a Doubletree hotel you will recognize this logo. Both of these sketches were done on notepaper supplied by the hotel. On the sketch below I found myself tracing and then filling in the logo. Truly a mindless doodle, but a concentration aid. Do you do this too?

What to do on an airplane? Sketch!

2009-06-20T00:52:00.003+01:00

I enjoyed making this sketch yesterday. The ride from Frankfurt to Chicago was very smooth so the sketching was easy. I didn't have my sketchbook with me so I used a piece of graph paper that I had in among my things.

I've been wanting a chance to work on sketching faces - the airplane is a nice place to find people that are very still and patient! :-)

Sketch from Lorrach Farmer's Market

2009-06-13T16:41:00.002+01:00

The weather was perfect today. So we went into Lorrach to look around. I found a moment to sit on a bench at one end of the farmer's market and sketch this scene. It was fun to do. I had two people stop and comment on my work. One was super encouraging ("wunder schoen!"). The other observer stopped, sat down, and then pointed out that I had neglected to draw the trees (which I then did) and a few wispy clouds - which I didn't do. It was hard to complete my sketch with that lady leaning in so close. So, I found an excuse to get up and leave - "I wonder where my wife is? I better go find her! Tschuss!"
The opposite page is a sketch from Basel that I did two weeks ago.

A random doodle

2009-06-05T19:56:00.004+01:00

A little scrap of paper fell out of an old Bible of mine today. This old doodle was on it. I can't remember when and why I drew it. I'm pretty sure that I drew it during some meeting. I kinda like it.

Sketch of Helvetia in Basel, CH

2009-05-30T16:22:00.005+01:00

I did this sketch today. It's a well known statue in the center of Basel located on the "Middle Bridge" that crosses the Rhein river.
This is a statue of Helvetia - the mother of Switzerland. The plaque says she is resting here after a long journey around her country. She laid down her spear, coat, and suitcase. If you could see the front of her, you would see that she has her right leg folded up and her right arm is resting on her knee. You can just see her right hand holding her head! It must have been a long tiring journey.
I enjoyed including the very black raven that landed on her head for several minutes.

Urban Sketchers

2009-05-21T19:52:00.004+01:00

I was very honored this week to be "featured" on the banner of www.urbansketchers.com. This is a blog that features the work of various sketchers that sketch scenes on site from around the world. Cool. There is a never ending supply of inspiration on this site.

Sketch from the balcony

2009-05-21T19:26:00.004+01:00

Today was a holiday in Germany. That meant today was a good day to do quick little sketch. I did this sitting on our balcony looking at the golf course in the distance. That's the 17th green on the left and the 18th fairway on the right. And yes, that's a pretty good hill over there. Markgraeflerland GolfClub Kandern e.V.

That's the clubhouse just above my head. So close, and yet SO far. Most of the members are wealthy Swiss golfers.

Heidelberg Sketch.

2009-05-16T20:53:00.006+01:00

I was in Heidelberg this morning (16.05.09) and had time to do a sketch. I was in town to attend a meeting yesterday and had some free time this morning.

This is a shot of my sketchbook at the spot where I did my pencil drawing. First I did a quick sketch in pencil (see below) and then I darkened it with my pen. I did most of the penwork at the train station while waiting for the train home.

Close up of my pencil work. It was fun to stand on the bridge and draw. Several people sneak up and take a look over my shoulder. Lots of tourist in town today. Americans and Japanese.

Faces in the Crowd

2009-05-16T20:15:00.001+01:00

Each of these faces were above doors and windows on an old building at University of Heidelberg - Germany. Amazing faces.

Is that a Nilla Waffer in this old guy's mouth?

It's in here somewhere...

2009-05-16T19:26:00.002+01:00

Bikes outside the train station. Wow!! How many bikes do you think this is? How would you like to find yours in this tangle? Click on the picture to see what I mean.

The Calm

2009-05-09T14:42:00.005+01:00

Sandee and I went in to Basel early this morning (8:00am) for breakfast. As we sat, sipped, and talked, I sketched what I saw out the window of the coffee shop.
The city was just waking up. In just a couple of hours this corner would be jammed with shoppers. That's why I called this "The Calm".
Can't think of a better way to spend a Saturday morning after a full week of heavy meetings.
My favorite part of this sketch is the tram wires overhead. I like details like that.

Jan Hus - Old City Square

2009-05-08T06:15:00.005+01:00

This was fun to draw. I was trying to capture the imposing statue of Jan Hus in the middle of the bustling Old City Square of Prague.

Jan Hus, the reformer, was burn at the stake for his faith. The city of Prague honors him with a very prominent statue in the heart of their city.

A conference doodle

2009-05-06T21:29:00.006+01:00

This sketch was done at a conference held at the Marriott in Prague. Readers of this blog will know that I like to doodle during meetings. It seriously helps me to concentrate on the speaker. I listen better.
I kinda liked this doodle on the hotel notepad. This is a sketch of the church towers in the Old City Square in Prague (from memory).

Sketching in Prague, CZ

2009-05-02T17:41:00.005+01:00

It was an amazing warm day in the center of Prague. Perfect for sketching. I was trying to capture the imposing statue of Jan Hus (the reformer who was burned at the stake for his faith) in the center of the Old Town Square.

Can you see the Hus statue in the center?

Easter Sketches

2009-04-12T14:44:00.004+01:00

These are the images that came to my mind this Easter morning.
(Left page.)

(Right page.)

Easter Sunday Illustration

2009-04-12T14:30:00.001+01:00

Pastor spoke on the power of the resurrection extending all the way to me. It's like the power generated by the Hoover Dam extending all the way to Los Angeles.

April 8 Sketches

2009-04-08T19:57:00.005+01:00

This was a drawing done at the Marktplatz in Basel, Switzerland. Everyday they have a market (foreground) in front of the Rathaus (background). It's great. The Rathaus itself is a stunning building. You gotta see it in real life. Click. I loved the long flags hanging from the building waving in the breeze.

Sandee took a picture of me sketching by the tram tracks. It's funny how people try to get near you and take a peek at what you're drawing. The Rathaus is just to right of this picture.

Later, after the above, I walked to the Muenster and sketched the back side of cathedral. Again, people try and get close to see what I'm drawing. I'm kinda shy about having strangers look at my drawings especially before I'm done.

Full page from my Moleskine sketchbook.

Erasmus Haus in Basel

2009-04-08T19:00:00.001+01:00

Today I found the "Erasmushaus" in Basel. As the sign says, Mr. Hieronymus Froben Eramus von Rotterdam lived here as a guest from 1535 to 1536 spending his last days in this house. Erasmus was a great Theologian and Christian educator. I've written and quoted Erasmus in the past. Click here to learn more about Erasmus.

Erasmus lived here...

Sunday Sketch 29.03.09

2009-03-29T16:15:00.007+01:00

Went to the Basel Cathedral again for service. I'm always quite taken with the towering pulpit (if that's what you call it). It in itself is quite an artful masterpiece made completely from red sandstone.
Today as the pastor spoke I counted up to 4 seconds after his last word was spoken before the echo of his voice stopped booming around the cathedral walls. The whole experience is always very moving.
This is the beginning of the Passion week. Even though I only caught about half of his German words, he presentation was full of the correct emotion leading up to the death of Christ on the cross.

After the service I sat in Starbucks and finished my cathedral sketch and added this little one below. The cappuccino, like the church service, was inspirational. I also enjoyed reading several more chapters in "What's so Great about Christianity". It's a very good book. I recommend it.

My pencil serves as a divider between these two disparate drawings.

Harmonika-Orchester Kandern

2009-03-29T16:10:00.005+01:00

Last night I did something I never did in Germany before. I went to an Accordion concert! I don't know what took me so long, but I finally did it and it was not bad at all. The Kandern Harmonika-Orchester (Accordion Orchestra) performed in the Black Forest Academy auditorium for their 75th anniversary.

Sunday Sketch 22.03.09

2009-03-22T16:58:00.003+01:00

Pastor Harrop spoke from Galatians 5:13-26. This is the image that came to mind as he spoke.

Basel Munster Sketch

2009-03-08T15:30:00.005+01:00

Attended the Gottesdienst (Sunday worship service) this morning at the Basel Munster. I made some random sketches during the service (tried to be very discreet). Obviously, I could only draw the backs of heads. It's interesting what you can tell from a slumped shoulder or an alert and upright head.

Some observations from the service. 1) Cathedrals are cold! Everyone keeps their winter coats on. 2) No one (or very few) carries their Bible. 3) The seats are very HARD and straight! So, the service was mercifully short - one hour. 4) The chair backs are all unique! Cool patterns. 5) The sounds are fabulous - the deep church bells, the organ, the Pastor's echoing voice, the singing. 6) The Pastor's white collar is extremely WHITE! I wonder who does his laundry and what keeps it so bright?

Sketch of the day

2009-03-07T16:16:00.003+01:00

Just a quick pencil sketch of our living room. That's skynews on the TV.

Sunday 22 Feb 09

2009-02-23T11:51:00.004+01:00

Sermon notes. The Galatians 4:21-31 passage is a bit difficult, but our Pastor got through it. :-) The section in scripture is an allegory and Paul tells us so. I get the idea that Hagar and Sarah represent two lines of spiritual living - slavery and freedom. One based upon human effort, the other based upon God's effort directed at humankind. We have a choice to make...

Noise

2009-02-21T22:30:00.003+01:00

“Noises drown out the voice of God. Few of us can fully appreciate the terrible conspiracy of noise there is about us, noise that denies us the silence and solitude we need for this cultivation of the inner garden.”
Gordon MacDonald

“Regular times of quiet are absolutely necessary. After a time of quiet we meet others in a different and a fresh way. Silence is the simple stillness of the individual under the Word of God.”
Dietrich Bonhoffer
--Photo taken by my favorite photographer - Sandee Shuman

A sketch for today - updated

2009-02-15T17:38:00.006+01:00

This is the view looking NW out our balcony window. I just had to draw something today. This was it. (I posted a photo of this drawing today. I wasn't happy with the original scan below. There is a big difference when you click on the drawing to see the larger version.)

Kandern Marktplatz

2009-02-10T15:05:00.005+01:00

My wife found this watercolor I did in '99 in some strange file drawer today among other papers. I forgot that I did it. Back in '99 I wasn't happy with it and I think she saved it from the bin. I guess I kinda like it now.

A Kandern street scene

2009-01-31T19:26:00.004+01:00

All pencil. I walk by this scene everyday on my way to the office. I've been wanting to draw it for a long time.

Sunday Sketch

2009-01-25T13:42:00.002+01:00

The speaker today (G. Hogenbirk) spoke from John 12:24.

When facing the cross, Jesus had to ask himself, "Do I keep my life, or do I give my life?" Because he GAVE and laid down his life, a tremendous harvest came forth. The question is the same for me, "Do I keep my life, or do I give it away?"

Prague Trio

2009-01-25T13:23:00.004+01:00

This was a fun quick sketch to do. I was scrolling through old digital pics yesterday from Prague, CZ. This was an awesome little trio. They were performing on the street out in the cold.
I did this sketch on a scrap piece of graph paper.

Just doodlin' around

2009-01-09T21:23:00.004+01:00

Ok, it's not perfect, but it was fun to try.

One of my handsome sons - Luke. Faces are hard to draw. I don't want to give up yet.

Duomo Drawing

2009-01-01T20:10:00.004+01:00

Did this drawing in the last few days. Trying to combine pen, ink, and watercolor. This was done from a photo I took this summer. This particular view was interesting to me for two reasons: the incredible detail on a section of the roof (a spot that few people would ever see) and the fact that the various buttresses were not absolutely consistent. Surprising.

Psalm 1 Thoughts

2008-12-28T13:03:00.003+01:00

If you occasionally check on this blog then you know, "If I can see it I can understand it." This is why I approach the Sunday sermon as a search for visual clues - ways to illustrate the morning's message. This started years ago when my two little boys (now grown) used to sit in church on either side of me and try not to wiggle too much. I helped them sit still by trying to draw some picture from the morning message as they looked on. I found out that this practice was not only good for them, but good for me too.

This morning Pastor Harrop spoke from Psalm 1. "Psalm 1 presents a clear choice..." This is the picture that came to mind as he spoke.

Foamcore Model

2008-12-28T12:23:00.000+01:00

Lately, for fun I have been building a foamcore cross-section model of the Rome Coliseum. I teach an introduction to Technical Drawing course at our high school. Each student must build a foamcore model of a home they design. This year I decided to build something too. Since visiting Rome in October I have been rather fascinated with the Coliseum. The designers and builders were truly ahead of their time!

Merry Christmas

2008-12-25T12:01:00.003+01:00

Mistletoe Makeup

2008-12-22T20:53:00.003+01:00

The other day I wrote the "rest of the story" about the mistletoe (see below). To make up for that bit of fun I am re-posting a drawing I did about a year ago of mistletoe. I like the effect I achieved with this drawing. I used lines to outline the object - the rest of the shading was done using only dots from my pen. I used a uniball signo rt get 0.37 pen.

Basel Munster Sketch

2008-12-22T16:33:00.005+01:00

I started this sketch yesterday - standing in the Basel Munsterhof. If you are familiar with this spot (some of you are), the Munster (cathedral) is just to the right of this drawing.
I finished this drawing from memory at home where it was warm.

Coffee quietness during shopping season

2008-12-22T16:10:00.003+01:00

A quick sketch from...where? You guessed it. Starbucks. It's amazing how you can tell these places no matter where in the world you are.

This was sketched in the lower floor of one of the Starbuck's shops in Basel. Sandee took a picture of me while I made this little drawing.

Mistletoe Anyone?

2008-12-21T10:27:00.006+01:00

Growing up in Ohio, I never knew what Mistletoe was. I knew it was involved in a Christmas tradition: something about kissing under a little sprig of the stuff, but still I didn't know anything about the plant itself.
Then I moved to SW Germany. One winter day I wondered, what are all those round green balls in the trees around here? That was the day that I learned about mistletoe.

At the risk of upsetting this cute little Christmas tradition with the "rest of the story"...the fact is mistletoe is a parasite. Mistletoe feeds off of host trees.
I took the photo above through an upstairs window of our apartment this morning. Mistletoe grows in trees and can actually kill its host - hows that for a nice Christmas thought? I'm not a tree hugger, but those trees in our neighbor's yard could use a hug. I can almost hear them calling for help. :-)
The other day I told our student body the truth about mistletoe - cruel I know. After telling them about the little plant, I challenged them to not be "takers" like the mistletoe plant, rather be "givers" like Jesus was who came to give life and life more abundant. (John 10:10)
And then I told them, "The next time someone tries to coax you into kissing under the mistletoe, tell them, "Personally, I would prefer not to stand under a blood-sucking, low-life, vampire plant, but if you insist...ok."
Have a great Christmas - look for me somewhere far away from the mistletoe.

Sermon Thoughts

2008-12-14T12:08:00.004+01:00

The passage is Galatians 3:23-29. I always say, "If I can see it, I can understand it". Here is a quick way to visually represent what I understood from the passage our pastor spoke from this morning. I can "see it" now - can't you?

My love

2008-12-13T22:43:00.006+01:00

I just felt this urge to draw today - so I sketched the most beautiful thing in my world - my wife Sandee! She is gorgeous if I do say so myself. This was fun to do.

I gotta find a better way to scan my sketches. I am not happy with the scan job - too grainy. By the way, this sketch is quite small - only about 10 by 10 centimeters. Fits nicely into my moleskine watercolor notebook. I love the feel of the pencil on this paper.

Kipling

2008-12-07T14:33:00.005+01:00

This morning our Pastor briefly mentioned Rudyard Kipling and his poem "The Elephant's Child". He had a photo of him up on the screen - for about two minutes. As quickly as I could I sketched Kipling and his big black moustache. I love that face.

I included a bit of his poem. The pastor mentioned this as a lead-in for addressing the issue of "Why we believe what we believe." We are in Galatians chapter 3 and studying law and grace.

Special Music

2008-12-07T14:30:00.002+01:00

We were graced today by some special music in church this morning. A small ensemble of string players played a wonderful worship chorus during the service. I did a quick sketch of one of the violinists - Evan Fung. He did a great job - not sure that my sketch is that great, but it was fun to try.

Our only hope

2008-11-30T11:48:00.004+01:00

Jesus my Savior.

First Advent 08

2008-11-30T11:47:00.004+01:00

A quick sketch for today. This is a day of preparation for our hearts. Today we light the candle of hope.

Train Sketch on American Thanksgiving Day

2008-11-27T16:11:00.004+01:00

I just arrived back to Germany from a quick trip to Canada this morning. I arrived in Zurich, Switzerland and had to take the train to Basel. My train trip took about an hour and 20 minutes, plenty of time to do a quick sketch of the guy across from me. I'm pretty sure he didn't know I was sketching him. It was a fine way to pass the time.

I was quite intrigued with the guy's e-book. I think it was one of those Sony ebooks. I would love to try one out some day.

Today's Sermon

2008-11-16T13:23:00.003+01:00

Our Pastor is taking us through the book of Galatians. Today the topic was justification - the ruling that I am without sin. This is the picture that came to mind - the judge's gavel. The problem of course, is my response and how I live with this declaration, this grace. We tend to move back and forth between legalism and no law at all. (See gauge below.) The solution is living more in touch with Jesus every day - John 15:5.

A Doodle

2008-10-26T15:16:00.004+01:00

This little doodle was done during my Board meetings last week. I sketched a bunch of little things during the two days of meetings, but I liked this one best. It reminds me of those stained-glass windows that you find in an older house. Or is it like a warm quilt?

This sketch is very peaceful to me - ordered, and tranquil. Funny that it was drawn during intense meetings.