Looking back at a fantastic art filled year, I return to my first sketch of 2015 and I re-create the drawing with the gate open this time. The year has been filled with wonderful beauty, sketching and making new friends through this odyssey. I have explored and drawn many items that I would not have considered sketching before this quest and I have seen great improvement. The gate has been opened and the exploring will continue. This is what I said on January 1st 2015 when I started this journey –

As we enter 2015, there will be many opportunities or barriers presented to us. It is our responsibility to make the best use of these as they are presented. Open the gate and explore the world beyond. In A Sketchbook Odyssey, I will be exploring my corner of the world and documenting my observations in sketchbooks through the use of pen & ink sketches, watercolor and art. Day 1 of my 365 page sketchbook. Conservation Land Gate – Marion, MA. Daniel Smith watercolors in a Stillman and Birn Beta sketchbook.

The Rhode Island Red is an American breed of chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus). It is a utility bird, raised for meat and eggs, and also as a show bird. It is a popular choice for backyard flocks because of its egg laying abilities and hardiness. The Rhode Island Red is the state bird of Rhode Island. It is one of only three state birds that is not a species native to the United States. The bird’s feathers are rust-colored, however darker shades are known, including maroon bordering on black. Rhode Island Reds have red-orange eyes, reddish-brown beaks, and yellow feet and legs, often with a bit of reddish hue on the toes and sides of the shanks. Black ink with Holbein and Daniel Smith watercolors in a Stillman and Birn sketchbook.

The Middleboro Waterworks are historic waterworks on E. Grove St. at Nesmasket River and Wareham St. at Barden Hill Road in Middleborough, Massachusetts. The 1885 masonry pumphouse is one of the earliest public water works buildings in southeastern Massachusetts. It, and the well from which it pumps water, were built by the local fire district. The building has Queen Anne styling; the well itself is covered by an octagonal roof with cupola. The waterworks were added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1990 Lamy Safari with Noodler’s black ink and Holbein and Mission watercolors in a Stillman and Birn sketchbook.

I have been to Ridgewood Country Club in New Jersey many times for work and it is a beautiful Norman Style clubhouse with it’s entry tower and stone and brick features. The architect was Clifford Charles Wendehack  and was responsible for the design of other significant buildings in the region. In articles published in Golf Illustrated in 1929, he explained his inspiration for Ridgewood’s clubhouse design was the similarity between the landscape of northern France and the landscape of northern New Jersey.  Both course and clubhouse retain the majority of the features contributed by the architect and the golf course architect..  The Ridgewood Country Club (clubhouse and golf course) were entered into the New Jersey Register of Historic Places on March 2, 2015 and the National Register of Historic Places on May 29, 2015. Faber-Castell Pitt pens with Holbein and Daniel Smith watercolors in a Stillman and Birn sketchbook.

This is a view from Stage Harbor Marina looking towards Mill Pond. The layering of the marsh grasses and the water make an interesting view. I am off on my grass color although it did range from a reddish brown to brownish yellows. Faber-Castell Pitt pens with watercolors in a Stillman and Birn sketchbook.

Our Christmas Tree on Christmas morning. The tree always warms up the house this time of year and we are sad when we take it down. The actual tree used for a Christmas tree is like any other pine tree. The magic comes when you decorate the tree with lights, ribbons and ornaments that have special meaning from friends, family, milestones and travel. Faber-Castell Pitt pens with Daniel Smith watercolors in a Stillman and Birn sketchbook.