Cirrus SR-20

Another rainy afternoon here in Michigan. So...I headed over to Battle Creek's WK Kellogg Regional Airport and parked next to the old control tower to do this sketch. This is a Cirrus SR-20, one of a fleet of 26 that belongs to Western Michigan University's School of Aviation that's located here in Battle Creek. Western's aviation school has done very well and it's a program that I wish had been in place when I graduated from high school. Learning to fly still hangs in there on my bucket list!

The Pagoda's Back

Another warm and sunny day in southern Michigan so the dog and I headed to the back yard. While I worked on this sketch to celebrate the fact the back yard has emerged from the snow, the dog, Emma, spent her time crawling around under the deck. The pagoda sits next to the pond in our back yard. I thought it interesting today. Welcome back to the pagoda and the spring flowers that have sprouted to surround it.

One Room School

We actually had snow Sunday night. So yesterday morning I drove over and did this sketch of the old Beckley Road school sporting a coat of snow. The one room school dates way back and is on the historic register. It's an all seasons scene stealer...very pretty to look at. In addition to being a school the building has, at various times, been an antique shop. These days it mostly stands empty.

It's Raining Leaves...Help!

Yep, I really do love fall colors, the leaves, the trees...I like 'em a lot! Unfortunately, all my beautiful Maples are in the process of depositing.their color all over my yard. In fact It's been pouring leaves all day. So...here's my mid morning view of all that wonderful color. And oh, after all my work this morning, the front yard is buried again. My wife says the people that live here must be real slackers when it comes to taking care of their yard!

View from the First Tee

This is a quick sketch, of the Battle Creek skyline, made next to the first tee at Riverside golf course. The course is about a mile from my house.

Closed for Business

I sketched these buildings in downtown Battle Creek from the top level of the parking ramp across the street. While drawing I had to keep a tight hold on my sketch book to keep it from being blown off the wall I was standing next to. Adding a twist of humor to the entire outing, I had to assure a parking ramp employee that I wasn't planning to jump.

On the sad side, all the stores that once called each of these building home is now long gone.