One of the things I was taught early on in my foray into the arts and the sciences both is the importance of sketching and jotting down field notes. For those pursuing any kind of representational art, there is nothing more valuable to your final work than drawing as much as possible. If you are a representational "artist" and simply trace a photograph, then paint that, I urge you to learn to draw. I really can't stress this enough! Tracing over a photo does not put the stamp of your hand on your work - when you learn to draw, a new world of artistic possibility will open to you. No longer will you be a slave to the photo. The other benefit is that painting will become easier - much easier. There is a reason why traditional ateliers and art schools teach the fundamentals of drawing before the student ever picks up a paintbrush - it is vital to learning both the art of observation and the art of eye/mind/hand coordination.

I take a sketchbook, pens, and pencils with me almost all of the time. Since my primary interest is birds and other wildlife, I usually have a small, lightweight pair of binoculars with me as well. On dedicated wildlife-viewing trips I'll take along a spotting scope, bug repellent, sunscreen, plein air painting equipment, and appropriate nasty-weather gear.

Field notes and drawings in a way become my long-term memory. As you'll see if you look through the pages below, I keep track of whatever is going on that day: where I am, who I am with, interesting things that happened, what is going through my mind or emotions, weather conditions, the color of the light, time of day, the tides. You name it, it goes in my notes. Years later I can look back through that notebook and the entire experience is immediately there for me. Details come back to life that I would have otherwise forgotten.

Following is a collection of selected sketches and field notes from the past 15 years or so...I hope you enjoy this little glimpse into my world.