*Sea Pie

'Poser' 12x12" oil pastel; Kathleen Faulkner

 

That place at Washington Park...

It is a curve in the road. 

Over to the side,

the stairs head downward

rocky beach to the left

flat rocks to the right.

If you are lucky,

you may spot a few 

Oystercatchers 

hanging out on those 

flat rocks.

*Sea Pie,  shortened for Sea Magpie, is the original name of Oystercatcher. 

still life

'After Party' 24x24" graphite on paper; Kathleen Faulkner

I came upon this cloth remnant lying on the beach.

It had a history

I wondered where it had been,

what it had seen, 

it's original function.

An artifact of the 21st century

In the deep

'Twilight Zone' 28x24" colored pencil on panel

That other world

dark and dreamy, mysterious

a comfort for its inhabitants

Humans swim. We float. 

Do you ever wonder what is swimming beneath you

and looking up at you

as you float along

on top of all that mystery?

end of a dry spell

     Photo: Kathleen Faulkner     

I usually create art from my mind, sometimes photos.

While walking on the beach,

I came upon this material 

all wrapped into the rocks.

Looking at it,

I knew immediately

that I wanted to create something 

from it.

A challenge!

Will I use pencil or ink?

It's going to be Large.

musings

'Sticks' 9x12" ink, colored pencil on paper;

Kathleen Faulkner

I live close to forests.

Moving around in them 

is like eating healthy food.

I makes me feel good.

WIP 3@6x6" ink, colored pencil;

Kathleen Faulkner

Christian is going full gallery

'Drift' 17x20" ink, oil pastel on paper;

Kathleen Faulkner

I am pleased to announce representation with the fabulous 

Perry + Carlson Gallery. 

A new space next to the main gallery 

will show represented artists throughout the year

leaving the main room for solo shows.

I will be in a group show with other 

newly represented artists opening on 

January 13, 2024.

Thank you, Perry + Carlson gallery!

oblique intent

 

work in progress, 3.5x4+' and going, colored pencil;

Kathleen Faulkner

Many strange things happened during the pandemic.

I kept myself busy

drawing my friends wearing masks.

Something just for me.

Flash forward to the present.

Instead of an appropriate project, 

I'm drawing this huge thing 

that I won't be able to frame 

and no one will see

except 

YOU.

Another something just for me.

It's a good spot

'The Sticks' 9x12" ink, colored pencil; Kathleen Faulkner

 

A friend said that there is not much 'wilderness' left. 

He felt that humans' management of forest lands

deems them no longer virgin and not truly wild.

I agree.

I walk in Washington Park

This area is regularly maintained

yet

highly beneficial to my good health.

I am grateful.

Mountain talk

'Kwelshán', Early Morning' 10x12" oil pastel on paper; 

Kathleen Faulkner

This has been my home for 32 years. 

I have always had a view of the mountain. 

I keep track of the weather by its look

 and the seasons by its snow cover.

Developers showed up recently 

and took two thirds of my view.

Now the neighbor's oak trees have taken that last bit.

The good news is that

this beautiful mountain, 

called Kwelshán by the Lummi, is still there 

and I can see it when I step outside my front door.

'Kwelshán, Afternoon' 10x12" oil pastel on paper; 

Kathleen Faulkner

Be prepared

'Wish Rock' brooch 2x1.5" sterling silver, mica, 

graphite, paper; Kathleen Faulkner

 It's always good to have a wish rock or two 

hanging around.

I keep several. 

You never know 

when you might need one.

thoughts and prayers

'Lip Service' 4x3" brooch, sterling silver, paper, colored pencil,

graphite, watercolor, mica;  Kathleen Faulkner

 

empty talk  hollow words

Lucky Day

'Lucky Day' 18x24" graphite on paper;  Kathleen Faulkner

Sometimes, 

when I wish I had done things differently,

I think of the Chinese tale of the father and son: 

The son had many misfortunes

that turned out to be 

A blessing in disguise 

 

The Innocents

'My Kingdom for a Home' 29x24" graphite on paper;  

Kathleen Faulkner

It's been a time

of political turmoil 

and a pandemic that is ongoing

add a mix of

fear, unrest, and uncertainty.. 

I'm concentrating on my

non human friends.

 

Sharing the Bounty

'Urban Landscape, (my favorite neighbors)' 20x24" graphite; Kathleen Faulkner

I leave the apples on the ground

because, each morning, momma and baby

show up looking for their breakfast.

Later, the squirrels and other critters

clean up the leftovers. 

I like my yard

'Yard Work' 23x37" graphite on paper;  Kathleen Faulkner

 

We have been hoping for change.

We hoped the COVID would alter our way of seeing/being.

I don't know if if is permanent, but,

I find a new sense of appreciation for small things.

a rare encounter

'Middle of Nowhere 21x29" oil pastel;  Kathleen Faulkner 

That place 

no humans

no garbage

only nature sounds

An ongoing project

'Helpful Friends II' 22x30" graphite;  Kathleen Faulkner

'Art Pals II' 22x30" graphite;  Kathleen Faulkner

I'm still drawing masked portraits.

These exceptional humans have been there for me in one way or another

throughout this pandemic.

I am grateful.

first-aid-for-worried-soul

Variants

'Variant' 22x15" graphite;  Kathleen Faulkner

I have a new appreciation for my own small spot in the world.

I see things now that, before, were invisible

only because I didn't look. 

speaking of March

'Vignette II, 30x22" pencil drawing;
Kathleen Faulkner


Here we go.
Back in lockdown again.
 
I have explored my yard like never before
this year. 
I'm drawing what I see  
in my tiny bubble.
  

 

offshoots

'Vignette' 14x17" graphite;  Kathleen Faulkner

Twig

a slender shoot of a tree

a small, dry, woody piece fallen from a branch

to see; perceive

to understand