Robert J. Coleman

Mary just hit the nail on the head: be assured you are leaving a mark on the world, on all of your readers, with your illustrated stories and your encouragement to keep sketching. You provide a daily breath of fresh air and calm that we ll need.

When that image popped up on the screen, watermelon juice started to drip right down and off he screen! And you have to enjoy watermelon with others, it’s just a friendly food! Sharing it does make me think of sharing my watercolors too – I’ve given some to my grandchildren and a few friends an hope they remember me when they look at them. It’s…[Read more]

Outstanding capture of the captured fireflies! My folks also made sure that we released them after watching them for a while in the (you nailed it!) Mason jar. I had an encounter with one just two nights ago, when one came in before we locked the doors for the night. In the dark, in bed, I saw a flash of light and thought it was the smoke detector…[Read more]

edit: “New” not “Nwe”!

Ah, those days when we were allowed to go to a Saturday kids’ matinee; with 35 cents in my pocket, 25 for the movie and 10 cents for a kid’s popcorn and soda. It was Roy Rogers, Gene Autry, or Tom Corbett Space Cadet after a Loony Tunes cartoon, and we loved them all. Life’s plot has become more complicated as have those of today’s movies and…[Read more]

Sun, sand and sandals….and maybe sand dollars and shells too. And also sunburns! Great memories of living in Florida. Finding something new to experience will happen often when we are not looking for an adventure. Just being aware of the moment brings joy. That’s probably why I have resisted writing down a Bucket List: it’s in the back of my…[Read more]

Hey, that straw is looking at me! It’s telling me that I should add two things to the juice: tonic water, and gin!

In the Boston area we had a weatherman named Dick Albert, who was full of corny sayings; one of his favorites was Just ducky!” meaning outstanding or super. Not sure of its origin, but the phrase made me think of a duck in the pond on a rainy day – for him it IS just ducky. And it is a real life lesson to be the odd duck that each of us is. But I…[Read more]

Ah, being “told the proper way to do something”, the perfect way to kill creativity, from one’s youth right up to today. Picking and choosing from the cafeteria of art ideas and techniques, that’s what makes our work unique to each of us. You got it working alright! bob.c

You said you misplaced your pie reference photo part way thru, but finished the sketch by memory….I’d say that cherry pie is deeply sourced in your memory! In fact I think you must have used a photo of my mom’s cherry pie! What a great memory trigger! The beauty of all your sketches is that you are completely “in the moment” and able to spend…[Read more]

That lobster is giving us all the stink-eye, wanting us in the boiling pot instead of him! Not a fan of lobsters, even though I am a New Englander, I’m not a vegan either, but I don’t hold it against anyone who does enjoy lobster. You have made the true point of not forcing anyone to think one way or another. Just give each reader a taste of the…[Read more]

edit: “what you are showing us” sorry bout that! rjc

The thing that hit me was the way the straw points almost directly at the viewer–an open invite to slake one’s thirst. Just what you need on a hot summer day, and given to you by a loving mom. your vignettes are a peek into a happy childhood, and I know exactly what showing us. Love it! bob.c

Beautiful beet, love ’em! And so good when they are fresh out of the ground. Here’s hoping that your inspiration continues; it you only have a scribble or a cartoon, slap some color on it – I’m sure it will work! bob.c

Thank God you all are OK! These tornado outbreaks are terrifying. My wife and I lived in FL and AL for a dozen years,and we saw all the thunderstorms, straight line winds and tornadoes for a lifetime. So we moved back to New England to avoid most of the extreme events of nature. But we pray for all those who are now suffering from nature’s wrath…[Read more]

Hi Charlie: your post today points to the state of mindfulness. The little panda is engrossed in the present, probably pondering an adventure for the day. And you mentioned that you are sometimes doubting your ability to bring forth a sketch, and yet you nail it every time! Then bringing joy to even one person, that’s the dividend! I really enjoy…[Read more]

Hi Sandra, thanks for the invite! The reviews are very handy, and I am a fan of Daniel Smith paints. Your review is very honest about the paint types being mixed in the selection: transparent vs opaque, granulating, etc. The website shows all characteristics of each color, making mixing simple. And I believe some of the color selections match up…[Read more]