The painting setting is the Clay Springs in western Seminole and northwestern Orange County. Today commonly referred to as Wekiva, or Wekiwa, Springs.

This is being commissioned for Clay Springs Elementary School in Orange County, Florida. My first approach to this was to focus on the spring area and just decorate with critters. Then I rethought how little children today rarely see, something I grew up with, happy little animals. So I switched my approach. Tough for me because I want to educate about springs and water. I think children need to see happier pictures than so many images today that lean to the grotesque.

Christine did want me to include the Florida black bear, used as a mascot for the school. Here’s the bear, a bunny, a raccoon and to help tie into water, a turtle. Also included is the state bird, the mockingbird, and state butterfly, the zebra longwing.

More about the painting on the blog: http://swampysflorida.com/?p=13139

This will be available as a print soon.
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#Florida #Bears #BearArt #Schools #SchoolArt #Painting #Illustration #Watercolor #FloridaArt #FloridaBlackBear

Rainbows are very difficult. In this, I used color pencils to get the colors. I wanted to be sure the rainbow colors didn’t out flank the colors involving the main subject.

I drew and painted this caricature back in 2016 as a commission.
Please let me know if you would like one.
My prices are very reasonable.

Watercolor and colored pencil on 11″ x 14″ watercolor board.

Painting this on 21″ by 16″ Arches watercolor board.

Penciled this on 21″ by 16″ Arches watercolor board.
I’ll soon post watercolor I applied later.
Since this painting, Arches watercolor board has ceased to exist. Today, I use the lesser quality Crescent board that is available.

I did this 3 years ago today. The pencil and inks drawn live during a program. Then i digitally inked it.

I did this watercolor caricature of Charles Lee, now retired from Audubon Society. He had been a speaker at a series of talks hosted, by a group I’m with, the Florida Springs Institute. This was a ‘Thank You’ made and sent to him.

This was 11″ x 14″ watercolor paper. I believe I inked this with a Markette marker. The Company that made markettes was bought and eliminated by the Sharpie/Sanford Company.
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#Art #Audubon #Watercolor #Painting #Paint #ArtLife #Caricatures #Cartooning

Ten years ago today I was part of a group of folks discussing issues and philosophy. It was a Socrates Cafe.
I’d take a sketch pad page and doodle the back and forth of members, including me.
I love being a part of discussion groups.
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#SocratesCafe #Sketch #Sketching #Draw #Drawing #drawdaily

During the live program chat Sunday the subject of the hot weather crept in. So, I started drawing snow and this monster appeared. Then the interplanetary space travelers were added.

Drawn live and made up as I drew.
Ink of Miller Paper sketch paper.