Quapaw Bathhouse

 

I love sketching the architecture of the famous Bathhouse Row in Hot Springs, Arkansas! The thermal springs run behind Bathhouse Row, and you can feel the water babbling out at multiple locations along the Grand Promenade.  It's a beautiful walk through the wooded Hot Springs Mountain, with all trails leading back to this street.  Each bathhouse is unique in architecture and flair, and all are lovely to experience.  Painting number 4823 in 4823 days. 

Peter and Etta Koch House - Inked

I am using a brand new piece of artisan handmade, hand-dyed paper for this pen and ink drawing. Sketching the historic Peter and Etta Koch home (also know as the Livingston home) at Hot Springs, Texas, is a super fun adventure!  The paper is a little resistant, and when the ink gets wet it spreads out and weakens in strength more than usual.  So, I am going over my lines multiple times and even pulling out my India ink for those darkest darks.  Each package of hand tied paper comes with a photo of the artist and a printed memo about them.  It's interesting to read their story and I like supporting another artist.  I like the lighter color of this paper compared to my others. I wonder how it will accept watercolor?  I'll have to try that another day!  Painting number 5118 in 5118 days. 

Upper Hot Springs Trail

From the very top of the Upper Hot Springs Trail, I find my way to the edge of the cliff for this spectacular view of the landscape below.  Prominent is the Rio Grande flanked by the Chihuahuan Desert. Mexico is on the left and Texas is on the right, divided by shadow water easily crossed.  In fact, Mexicans cross daily on horseback to sell tamales and wares from Boquillas. They seem to pop over as soon as the Border Patrol drives away.  After the sketch, I reached for my oils to paint this is a slightly different composition. What an amazing perch from which to paint!  Painting number 5101 in 5101 days.