doodle morning

This morning, with lots of weekend errands and inevitable car-sitting time (waiting for the vacuum-cleaner repair, for instance), I enjoyed the sunshine and doodled. I've been trying to discipline myself to stake out some time to get back into drawing more, but that hasn't been easy. For me, drawing requires a little patience and no interruptions so I can focus. But doodling seems to fit more easily, and it suffers less from change of focus.

So this morning, I took along a handmade journal, a black pen and some Copics. After starting one spread (the one with the curtain below), I lost interest in it when I came back to the car. So I happily flipped the page and started another one (above). Since I'm excited to be joining Pam Garrison for her journaling class at Jenny Doh's home studio in July, I doodled the spread above in homage to Pam. It is inspired by a wonderful page in her Sketchbook Project 2011 journal. I can't wait to practice at her elbow.


As you can see, I'm not exactly a minimalist. Since I'm used to working on large-scale paintings, up to 5 feet by 8 feet, I tend to crowd the page. But I do have fun. What is your doodling style?

my morning view

It rained all day Sunday while we were out on the sailboat

for the final day of the Heineken Regatta.

Even so, my nose burned except for the ridge of my sunglasses (not a pretty sight).

But today is another glorious morning.

Each morning I wake up around 6 am with the tumultuous racket of the birds

in the trees outside our balcony and the cool morning breeze through the open doors.

It will be tough to leave the island and to go home soon.

dessert at sarafina's in marigot

This weekend the annual Heineken Regatta is the main attraction on St Maarten,

with all classes and nationalities of sailing boats entered,

including the Merchant Marine boat (which won its class today).

We can watch the Regatta from its origin at Simpson Bay on the Dutch side

or as it passes our Rainbow Beach Club or in Marigot on the French side.

When we go to Marigot, we always go to Sarafina's, a favorite French bakery and

cafe, for lunch and dessert. Today's chosen desserts included

raspberry torte and tarte d'abricots (sorry, I couldn't wait to take a bite).

But there's always so much more to choose.

The savory crepes and the peach tea are delicious, too.

Tomorrow we'll be on one of the Regatta boats,

and maybe I'll chance taking photos to share.