the current

10.5" x 14" x 5" spalted pecan with vintage Hamilton printer cabinet pulls sold

My friends, Judy and Molly of Float Press, are proud owners of a letterpress, Esther, and are quite talented at designing and printing broadsides (a poem with a graphic, usually 8" x 10").
They asked if I would design and build a box for their broadsides for the upcoming Poetry at Round Top festival. Of course, how could I refuse, right? Oh, the possibilities! The design was pretty straight forward, but soon into the process I realized I was in way over my head as my shop (or my skill set) is not equipped with the precisioned tools necessary for this build.
Had it not been for the help and encourgement from the very talented Rob Eberle of Wildwood in Henly and the extraordinary Woodcraft team in Austin at Burnet and 183, this box would have been throttled out to pasture.
: )

another chase

11" x 14" charcoal on Strathmore paper | nfs

I've received a few emails requesting that I post the photograph, if not drawn from life, and an in-process shot of my next drawing. My pleasure!

First I do a quick sketch, then place the features. Darkening select areas with charcoal, my drawing and palette become one as I spread the dry medium onto the lighter areas.

Here's Chase's softer side, the darling I spoke of yesterday.

: )

chase

8" x 8" charcoal on bristol

Chase is a 90lb+ catahoula. He can appear quite intimidating, but he's really a teddy bear.

I had an interesting time with this drawing. He has a beautiful black and white dappled coat and it was a challenge to keep him from flattening out. A wonderful exercise, but I still see the afterimage dancing around.

: )

He looks sad because he's not with his mom on her special day. Happy Birthday Angela!