During a live stream on Justin TV yesterday I thought I’d try another of the sketches many fellow artists did in March. Two watching contributed: “Coldchain” offered Swimming and “Rtb243002” added Lion. So I drew the drawing above.

I attended the Florida East Coast Railway Society Modular RR Display and “Train”ing Session at the Brevard County Library in Cocoa on July 23rd. While there I got to hear a talk by the Dean of FEC history, Seth Bramson. His books are terrific and specifically his ‘Speedway to Sunshine” is a wonderfully written with terrific photographs laying out the history of the railways along the east coast of Florida. You can learn more about Seth and find his books by clicking here. Above is a sketch I drew during his talk.

Another sketch during another talk about model trains. The young fellow on the left was streaming the talks on UStream, something I’ve been known to do from time to time.

Here’s an actual photo of Seth Bramson speaking, in case the sketch is too sketchy.

Here “Caboose Mikey” explains how a steam engine works.

An entire model of the Florida East Coast Railroad was there depicting north of Jacksonville all the way south to Dade County. Here is the mode area around U.S. 1 and Viera Boulevard in Melbourne. You could drive there now and this is what it looks like!

Sketchin’ during a Marion County Historical Commission meeting on July 11th.

Been attending meetings in the past couple weeks. Here are sketches form Orlando Remembered (above), an executive Republican meeting (image 2) and the Marion County Springs Festival meeting (bottom).

Terisa Glover and I had a blast in Tarpon Springs Sunday while doing research for an upcoming Swampy’s Florida coloring book. Above and below are a couple sketches done during the trip. Unfortunately, a trip to Ozona, Florida found that one of my favorite Bar-B-Q places, the Ozona Pig, was closed for the day. Sooooo, it’s a trip across the street to Molly Goodheads for fish food. Because of that the drawings ensued.

Earlier in the day we teed off in Tarpon Springs and was welcomed by the sign below. I figured it meant ‘Beware of Hurricane Ahead’.

It’s fried shrimp time at Hella’s Restaurant! Wanna see what Swampy had? Check out Swampy’s Florida Sunday.

Penny for your thoughts? Getting a scrunched official Tarpon Springs penny.

For those who know the story, Sunday, the 5th, is also Taylor’s 19th birthday. I had my annual banana split at a restaurant in downtown Tarpon Springs in honor of his birthday. These folks don’t usually make banana splits, but did an excellent job!

Been promising a Dean Martin drawing to my friend Cathryn Grayson and was able to get it in today. The 7th would’ve been Dean’s 94th birthday. I’m a huuuuuge fan and hope one day to get to the annual Dean Martin Festival in Dean’s hometown of Steubenville, Ohio.

Had a blast with Terisa Glover at the Florida Folk Festival! Besides listening to some fine music, we cooked up these wacky drawings of critters as if they played the festival.

Below is the lone sketch I made of a musician during the event.

Due to an exchange on Swampy’s Florida Facebook page comes this drawing. Terisa Glover mentioned the Captain & Tenille involving this Swampy comic strip. And the mysterious Elvis Alligatori of Miami was also there. So, here is Elvis as the Captain and Terisa as Tenille with Swampy.

I meant to keep doing at least one sketch a week after the month long sketch-a-thon in March. So, here’s a couple. Below is a sketch of my favorite, Dean Martin that I did for Ustream attendee yesterday, Mrs. Grayson.

While attending the Marion County Historical Commission meetings, I made use of pen and paper….

I got to experience the one place I hadn’t been to that I had put in the Swampy’s Florida: Lakeland coloring book, Circle B Bar Reserve, because of my good friend Terisa Glover, who lead the way through this glorious expanse of natural Florida. And whatta a place! Seems to me to be one of the best natural areas in Central Florida. Adjectives are not plentiful enough to use. I drew only one sketch, not even complete the whole time I was there and it is above.

There are a plethora of birds. Above is a great blue heron.

Making up a great part of the trails are lined with cypress along Lake Hancock. Besides birds are many, many alligators. There is a gator in this photo. Way out in the lake and hardly visible. That is the extent of the kinds of photos I got of the gators without a high powered zoom lens. But they are there. Plenty of them.

Here’s Terisa on a typical example of a trail through the reserve.It’s dueling cameras as Terisa also takes a shot.

These fellows are there, too.

Nice, isn’t it?

He crossed the path while rodent hunting.

This large soft shell took the path of least resistance seconds after this photo by moving to the left and sliding down the bank and Plop! into the stream along the trail.

Attending the Lake County Festival of Reading in Mount Dora gave the opportunity for Swampy, the Swamp Ape, to meet up with author Tim Dorsey. Above is said encounter. 🙂

Below are sketches I made of speakers and authors, Jefferson Bass and James Grippando.

Here’s a sketch of a lady who got comfortable in the auditorium seat.

Later I wandered into the  Truly Scrumptious Bakery and Ice Cream Shop and found a wonderful renovated historic bakery. Look for photos of the interior coming soon on the Swampy’s Florida site.