Archives For colored pencil

Pets, People & Places

Mary Liz Ingram —  December 1, 2019 — Leave a comment

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Create an heirloom to be enjoyed for generations by commissioning a portrait of your loved ones, your pet or a special location. Color commissions are painted in pastel or watercolor; black and white are drawn in graphite, charcoal or ink. Each piece is made with the highest quality materials on archival surfaces, so these pieces are guaranteed to last and satisfy.

Portraits are completed in a timely manner and at reasonable prices, so all can enjoy the special presence of a personal work of art in their home. Portraits make meaningful gifts for birthdays, holidays and special occasions.

The process of commissioning your piece is easy; choose from the options below and contact Mary Liz today!

Portraits

Pet Portraits

Architectural Portraits

General Commissions

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The Baltic Sea, Part 2

Mary Liz Ingram —  August 14, 2018 — 2 Comments

Old Thomas, Tallinn, Estonia

I was standing in a nearly empty museum, in an upstairs room lined with plaques covered in paragraphs and old pictures. We were intending to leave, having found what we were looking for – the 1952 version of the guardian of Tallinn, the copper weathervane Old Thomas. In this small city museum in Estonia, I had wandered into the back room just to see what there was to see.

As I browsed and skimmed the walls of words, I caught a few phrases that suspended me mid-stride. Deportations, Siberia, children freezing and starving to death… In a “wait, what?” moment, I started back over with a frown on my face. Around me, all at once I took in the images of war and hatred and pain – busts of Stalin, Nazi flags, cattle cars of people being transported.

Of all the countries we visited, I knew very little about Estonia. I didn’t know they had been taken over by so many countries. I didn’t know that the Soviet Union had undertaken 2 mass deportations, sending young and old Estonian men, women and children to Siberia. I didn’t know that the Nazis had occupied Estonia in between those deportations, sending away even more “undesirables.”

Old Hansa, Tallinn, Estonia

I didn’t write about that discovery in my travel journal. I wrote about the cool medieval restaurant where we ate lunch called Old Hansa. I wrote about the cinnamon beer and the big wooden spoon that came with my soup. There’s a whole paragraph about our food. I wrote about eating marzipan cake (Tallinn is famous for marzipan…who knew?).

All I wrote about the museum was this: “we learned more than expected about the hardship Estonians have faced.” I didn’t elaborate.

But out of all the memories from this incredible trip, that quiet moment in the upstairs room of the Tallinn City Museum particularly lingers.

Lighthouse, Warnemünde, Germany

Like there are two sides to every coin, there are two sides to our trip. There’s the simple freedom we felt in Scandinavia, and there’s the rich but heavy history we felt in Estonia, Germany and Russia. We were enveloped in the gorgeous flowers climbing the German homes, the sunny boardwalk, strawberry candies and old lighthouses on the shores of Warnemünde, the onion domes and towers of Tallinn, and the incredible palaces and museums of St. Petersburg, the Neva river and delicious vodkas. But all the while, evidence and memories of the World Wars, the Holocaust, the upheaval, oppression and seemingly endless assassinations throughout Russian history remain.

Golden Peacock Clock, St. Petersburg, Russia

I didn’t feel the heaviness in the people, nor in the experience of visiting these wonderful places. I feel the heaviness when I sit in my home and think back; when it frighteningly saddles up next to our current climate and I have to ask myself “Have we learned nothing?” The history of humanity seems stuck on repeat, “otherizing” groups of people, picking “in-groups” and “out-groups,” and following these dangerous paths until atrocities explode.

I feel the heaviness when I think of the 80% – or even 90% – of my friends who are afraid and affected by the state of our country. My friends who worry how they will be treated because they don’t look or don’t live like me. My friends who have lived here for decades and are now told their immigration papers will not be renewed without explanation. My friends who are all too often reminded that hate is loud right now in America. That hate has been emboldened. I fear for them; I weep with them.

St. Christopher, Tallinn, Estonia

Sitting on the couch one evening, my middle school daughter said “I don’t like that I look like this. It’s not fair.” Not referencing the awkwardness of puberty, or low self-esteem, she was talking about being blonde, light-skinned, blue-eyed. The unfairness she feels is that she is treated kindly at all times. She is spoken to with respect. She never experiences the looks, condescension or suspicion our friends receive.

It’s easy to just carry on, business as usual, when the world treats you well. But right now is not the time. We must not be indifferent, and we must not hate the haters. We must protest hate with connection, with a recognition of our shared humanity.  We can start by just paying attention, with kindness, friendship, honesty; by refusing to be fooled or distracted when hate and fear are normalized. Like the smiling statue of St. Christopher in Tallinn with a stone on his back, we must bear some of the weight so that others will not be crushed.

“There may be times when we are powerless to prevent injustice, but there must never be a time when we fail to protest.” –Elie Wiesel

“Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28

Travel always shapes you. It helps your eyes to open a little wider, your mind to see a little bit differently, and I believe it always makes you a better person than you were before you left. Below are my travel doodles and some photos from Warnemünde, Germany, Tallinn, Estonia, and St. Petersburg, Russia:

Tallinn, Estonia
Old Thomas, Tallinn, Estonia
Tallinn, Estonia
St. Christopher, Tallinn, Estonia
Warnemünde, Germany
Lighthouse, Warnemünde, Germany
Warnemünde, Germany
Lighthouse, Warnemünde, Germany
Warnemünde, Germany
St. Isaac’s Cathedral, St. Petersburg, Russia
Church of the Spilled Blood, St. Petersburg
The Hermitage, St. Petersburg, Russia
Russia & the Soviet Union
Golden Peacock Clock, St. Petersburg, Russia
Catherine’s Palace, Russia
Catherine the Great, Russia
Jeweled Columns, St. Petersburg, Russia
Canal tour, Neva River, St. Petersburg
Nicholas I, St. Petersburg, Russia
Church of the Spilled Blood, St. Petersburg
Neva River, World Cup flags, St. Petersburg
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The Baltic Sea, Part 1

Mary Liz Ingram —  August 8, 2018 — 6 Comments

At the end of June, my husband and I escaped the thick Alabama heat and travelled to Northern Europe to explore the countries around the Baltic Sea. We arrived in Copenhagen, Denmark with eager eyes, prepared to experience the magical places we had read so much about.

Viking Ship, Oslo, Norway

Awhile back, before it was the cool trend it is now, our family discovered hygge, the Danish, and more widely Scandinavian “warm, cozy sense of well-being; being grateful for the present moments, for warming, light-filled simple things,” as I wrote several years ago. I’ve read books about Danish lykke and hygge, Swedish lagom and fika, and Finnish sisu, soaking up all sorts of cultural goodness. I was so excited to actually visit these places that I spent 125 days straight learning Danish on my Duolingo app. (Ja, jeg ved, jeg er lidt skør. Men jeg er også sjov). I read up on Norse mythology, pestering everyone with my accumulated facts. We researched the culture, landmarks, history and food of each country to which we planned to travel. I was more than ready for my fika in Sweden, a sauna in Finland and a bicycle ride in Denmark.

The Scandinavian countries have a pretty amazing reputation, consistenly ranked as the happiest countries on earth despite months of cold, dark winter. Traveling around, we experienced a peaceful beauty, a community-oriented social structure, and a simple, healthy wholeness that we, as Americans, would do well to notice and absorb. In the beautiful Scandinavian countries of Denmark, Norway, Finland and Sweden, we stumbled into wonder. We would also travel to Germany, Estonia and Russia, but we will save those tales and drawings for another day.

Nyhavn, Copenhagen, Denmark

We spent two days in Copenhagen, riding roller coasters at Tivoli, eating great food, visiting gardens, castles, and museums. We also spent a lot of time wandering. We sat on the stones by the sea, watching crowds of tourists teeter on rocks for selfies with the famous Little Mermaid statue. We strolled down streets and through the squares in the late night sun, taking in the sights, listening to revelers laugh and sing on a Friday night. We walked along the top of the old fort, bracing ourselves agains the strong breeze and watching swans swim and magpies scavenge. We posed for a picture in front of the famous colored facade of Nyhavn. We enjoyed pastries and coffees in a softly lit cafe, with comfortable benches and blankets. Denmark was heavenly – beautiful, friendly, one of the greenest countries in the world. And yes, there are bicycles everywhere.

doodle of Munch’s Hans Jaeger, Norway

Next, we boarded our cruise ship and headed for Oslo, Norway. My previous image of Norway was only shaped by Epcot and the movie Frozen, and Vikings of course; as expected, Norway is so much more. Oslo is a strong, sleek city and, upon arriving, we hopped a ferry to the Viking Ship museum and the Norsk Folkemuseum. We spent a lovely day exploring old Norwegian homes and farmsteads, culminating in the iconic Stave church- ancient, dark wood, nestled in the firs, the strong smell of pine will stay with me forever. When we got tired, we rested with soft serve ice-cream rolled in chocolate powder…everyone should do that. Yum. We went to the Nasjonalmusseet and saw Edvard Munch’s The Scream, but I have to say my favorite Munch painting was Hans Jaeger. I had to give drawing him a try. Exhausted, we walked through the Nobel Peace Center (they give out the Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo), and then slept really well as we travelled to Germany.

Helsinki, Finland

Fast forward to our arrival in the gorgeous country of Finland. I think these might be my people. Known for being introverted, the Finns are so friendly in a relaxed, casual way that I, as an awkward introvert myself, felt so at ease. We wandered through Helsinki early on that Sunday morning; the city felt still and empty, a cold wind whipping through the streets. We climbed the giant stairs of the National Cathedral and sat in the sun, watching the city wake up and feeling the warmth return. After we had thawed out, we found a cozy cafe for a delicious coffee and cinnamon bun. We shopped in the market square, walked down a few piers to look at the Baltic Sea with its rocky islands and sail boats, and then made our way to Löyly, a strikingly built Finnish sauna on the water.

The sauna = my favorite moment on the trip. Whoa. Hotter than I could have imagined, the heat of the smoke sauna burnt my lips and nostrils. I slowly breathed through it until I realized I wasn’t actually going to die. Then we started sweating. Holy moly, even the back of my hands were sweating. After 10 minutes of enduring the heat, not totally unpleasantly, we walked out and jumped into the 40 degree Baltic Sea. It took my breath away and I popped back out really fast, but I. Did. It. And then we did the whole process again, and then one more time. We were so happy. Stupid happy. We sat there in the sun with a Finnish beer, feeling invigorated and alive. I wish I had a sauna and a cold sea outside my doorstep…

And now for Sweden. The last stop on our adventure before heading home, we were only able to wander around Stockholm for a small portion of the day. We saw the huge Vasa, the 17th century Swedish warship that sank upon its first sailing and is almost perfectly preserved. We ate Swedish meatballs with potatoes and lingonberry jam in the old town square Gamla Stan. The architecture was spectacular, the city magnificent.

Scandinavians know how to do it right. Besides a few treats and trinkets, we brought back an ease, a further encouraged desire for equality and peace, for a better way, a better lifestyle, for better environmental and financial choices. It bolstered the thoughts we’ve been gathering and showed us a better way to live – centered around life, family and nature, rather than the rushed, anxiety-driven, consumerist lifestyle America seems trapped in. We realized we can do something different, and we intend to.

Since the trip, we have been following up on those lessons. We have been steadily minimizing our possessions and our spending, and working on a serious plan to pay off debt that we had previously thought was just given monthly bills. We are trying to be more community-oriented and experience-oriented. We look forward to seeing where this path takes our family.

“The key to a wonderful life is to never stop wandering into wonder.” -Suzy Kassem

Below you will find my travel doodles from the Scandinavian countries we visited, drawn in ink, colored pencil and marker. Stay tuned for The Baltic Sea, Part 2 – Germany, Estonia & Russia.

Arriving by plane
Windmill, Copenhagen, Denmark
Runestones, Copenhagen, Denmark
Nyhavn, Copenhagen, Denmark
The Little Mermaid, Copenhagen, Denmark
Rush Hour in Copenhagen
Birds and Flowers, Copenhagen, Denmark
Stave Church, Oslo, Norway
Hans Jaeger, Edvard Munch, Norway
Viking Ship, Oslo, Norway
Baltic Sea, Finland
Helsinki, Finland
Esplanadi, Helsinki, Finland
Löyly, Helsinki, Finland
Helsinki, Finland
Vasa, Stockholm, Sweden
Helsinki, Finland

 

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A Summary of Art & Reading

Mary Liz Ingram —  February 4, 2018 — 1 Comment

I read every day…a lot. I get up early and read books that shape me. In the afternoon I read books that are a little lighter, but from which I can still learn. At night I read old mysteries by Valentine Williams and E. Philips Oppenheim, passed down from my grandfather. I keep a journal by my books and I record notable quotes and thoughts, which end up being like a map of learning.

At the beginning of this year, I looked through my notebooks from 2017 and created a summary of what I read and learned. Below are some rough notes about important things I took away from each book. Excuse the format, my running thoughts, and know that you will probably uncover different things than what touched me. I realize after reviewing my year that if we want to be better, to shape our world, indeed to save our world from where we stand, it takes work like everything else. Reading and processing is how I “practice” being a better, more peaceful, present and loving person. Some days it is exhausting. But when you look back over a year, how encouraging it is to see a path that you stumbled upon.

Since the year began, I’ve also been *trying* (key word) to draw or paint something each day, usually inspired but what I’ve read or learned. So here is a summary of art and reading. I hope some of these books will inspire you and shape you as they have done for me.

“Caminante, no hay camino, se hace al andar. 

Traveler, there is no path, the path must be forged as you walk” -Antonio Machado

(or read?)

Dorothy Day: Selected Writings – inspired to take action and lead, little by little, taking small steps knowing they can be greater than you think, living simply and being open and hospitable

Documentary “Minimalism” and articles by the Minimalists: create more, consume less; I could write so much more. Just go watch it.

Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson – “You can’t understand most of the important things from a distance…you have to get close,” lose fear and “beat the drum for justice,” be a “stone catcher” when people throw them at others

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho – embrace mystery, follow dreams, don’t fear, walk forward; the soul of the world is love, immerse your “soul into the universal current of life,” “I must not be afraid to change my life”

Mary Oliver, several different poetry collections – “I don’t want to be demure or respectable. I was that way, asleep, for years…” I could just list all her poems…they are amazing

Thoreau, Civil Disobedience – did he write that yesterday? It mirrored our current cultural and political climate so closely. “Let your life be a counter friction to stop the machine” of injustice

Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass – find beauty everywhere

We Make the Road by Walking , Brian McLaren- don’t uphold the status quo; rethink everything; be “creative nonconformists,” a “community where anyone who wants to be a part of us will be welcome”

The Rebirthing of God, John Philip Newell – heartbeat of God is in all things; “dream the way forward”

Last Child in the Woods by Richard Louv, Rambunctious Garden by Emma Harris, Bringing Nature Home by Douglas Tallamy, and Planting: A New Perspective by Piet Oudolf – books about nature that changed the way I look at the world and our role in it; “Let nature be your teacher”

Emotional Agility by Susan David- Life’s beauty is inseparable from its fragility

Illuminate by Nancy Duarte and Patti Sanchez – be a torchbearer, leading the way forward, dreamers, pioneers, leades

Awareness by Anthony de Mello – Wake up! Unlearn, listen, see, put on a new mind. I love this book. He doesn’t mess around. I read it 2 times this year. Then I read The Way to Love and Song of the Bird

Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari – history of Sapiens and human culture; ” the pursuit of an easier life led to much hardship.” You can clearly see the path that has led us to today. A very interesting book.

Present Over Perfect by Shauna Niequist – “charm…your act is easy,” be good, not perfect; break addiction to achievement, image management

The Sabbath, by Abraham Joshua Heschel- rest and reclaim your dignity, the soul and body to be wise

The Sacred Enneagram by Christopher Heuertz – find beauty in our imperfection, trust your feelings, don’t fear; cultivate emotional intelligence. Great leaps in understanding myself through reading this book

Braving the Wilderness by Brene Brown – be brave; don’t “sort” people, very relevant to our current climate (I could write a lot more…)

The Gifts of Imperfection by Brene Brown – shame/vulnerability; “share is the fear of being vulnerable,” foster creativity and self-compassion

The Remarkable Ordinary by Frederick Buechner – art says stop and see; go out into the world, not hiding, even if you’re scared

Rising Strong by Brene Brown – 10 Guideposts for Wholehearted Living

Daring Greatly by Brene Brown – culture of scarcity, “never enough”; shame/vulnerability, build “shame resistance” and self-compassion; a really great book – every one should read this! Changed the way I see myself, the way I parent and interact with everyone.

The Wisdom of Sundays by Oprah Winfrey – set intention, follow your bliss, so many good, good things in this book

The short notes above, summaries from the short notes in my notebooks, are barely shadows of the treasures found in each of these books. Several of these books are or have been in our Little Free Library, and I’m always happy to lend one if you want to read!

Wally, colored pencil on paper
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A Small Gift, charcoal and conte sketch on paper

Gift Cards

Mary Liz Ingram —  December 1, 2015 — Leave a comment

Sometimes it’s so hard to choose a piece of art for a friend! Or you want to commission a portrait for a family member, but you’re not sure which photo they would like. If you’re stuck, I have an option for you:

Gift Cards for artwork!

Gift cards can be purchased in any amount and are redeemable for commissioned or available pastel paintings of chosen value. From pastel portraits, to ink doodles, to watercolors…so many options available for your friend or family member to choose from!

Gift Card

Gift cards will be written for the amount paid & purchase intention noted (ex: 5×7 framed pastel; 8×10 unframed portrait, etc.). Gift cards will be signed by the artist for authenticity. Those receiving gift cards may upgrade to higher-priced artwork by paying the balance. 

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The Garden

Mary Liz Ingram —  October 23, 2014 — 5 Comments

For months, I’ve been consumed with my latest project:

My fabulous front yard garden.

I’ve researched, I’ve measured, I’ve sketched and planned. I’ve shoveled dirt, I’ve carried rocks, I’ve moved buckets and buckets of soil. I’ve planted, I’ve watered, I’ve problem solved, I’ve watched food grow, I’ve eaten produce from my front yard.

With my trusty helpers, including the 2 year old, we have made my dream a reality and I have to admit I am super proud – giddy even. If you follow my blog, you may remember my post from St. Paul’s Cathedral in London, when I was first inspired to plant the garden. Well, I’m happy to say I DID IT. I did it!!! And if you follow me on Facebook, you’ve been barraged with garden doodles.

In planting, I tried to be responsible – environmentally, economically and practically. After a persistent search, I found an amazing deal on recycled fire bricks ($25 a ton!) to edge my garden. I ordered a huge dump truck load of soil at the best price. I compost and I now own a $40 rain barrel. I ordered non GMO seeds ($.99 sample packs!) from seedsnow.com and they grew. I shop at my local Homewood Garden Shop and have healthy blueberry bushes and lovely plants.

I worked my butt off building and planting this garden.

Beginning at the end of August, in the Alabama heat, I made it happen with my ever-present garden buddy. My kids, especially my son, now understand exactly where food comes from and how to grow it and care for it. My son waters it, pulls grass out of it, harvests the radishes, and takes a walk through it every time I open the door.

My garden is planted to grow community.

I didn’t know how that would work, but the first day I was out there I had real conversations with a dozen people, neighbors and passers-by. I share food with my neighbors and have met all sorts of new people. My kids tell anyone who asks about the plants growing, and I find that food is an easy thing to discuss, a common denominator.

My favorite story happened a few weeks ago. As we walked home from school, I began talking to an older lady about rosemary, as our kids were smelling it by someone’s mailbox. I just made a quick comment, not aiming at anything, not trying too hard. A few words later, we were talking about my garden. She was interested and missed her garden, as she said, “in my country, we have sun everyday and I grow many plants.” As we parted ways, I told her to stop by anytime and see the garden and take some herbs.

A week later, she stopped me at the corner with her two grandsons and asked if they could walk down to see the garden. On our short stroll, I find out they are from Haiti, and that her entire family was there during the earthquake except for her. She had arrived in the US four days before the quake for a wedding, and was plagued with anxiety over the separation at such a time. I now know her name, I know a portion of her amazing story, and the kids all ran together along the stepping stones of my garden.

Growing something, overcoming obstacles (like cats, cabbage worms, flooding rains, aphids…), being faithfully attentive and persistent…you learn things from gardening. About life, about children, about the world. I feel at peace and connected to nature when I’m checking the leaves and hearing the spray of water hitting the thick pile of green collards. It is a small miracle to see a snow pea sprout and grow out of the dirt, mere days after planting. There are more benefits to this garden than I can name.

My Garden Doodles thus far:

 

 

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Grain of Sand

Mary Liz Ingram —  September 16, 2014 — 1 Comment

To see a world in a grain of sand
And a heaven in a wild flower,
Hold infinity in the palm of your hand,
And eternity in an hour.

-William Blake, Auguries of Innocence

Magical evening, original photography

 

If you follow my blog, you may have noticed it’s been awhile since my last post. I’ve taken a few steps back to regroup, to build my garden, to reflect, absorb and let peace grow and guide. This time of retreat ended with a magical week with my family at Grayton Beach. I took this picture on the evening we arrived, and was blown away by the beauty of our world.

We played and read, built sand castles and dug holes, swam and walked and enjoyed every second, living in the moment.

I doodled every day and recorded my thoughts in words and art:

“A week at the beach, life relaxed.

Cotton candy clouds on early mornings, we beat the sun.

Thunderstorms in surround sound, we watch from the porch, candles flicker as clouds flash.

Feet in the blinding sand, we become one with the sun, warmly wrapping us and renewing our souls.

Splashed by aqua waves, we wade deeper into the mystery of the sea, finding new things and taking in life.

Rejuvenation. Perspective. Enjoyment. Refreshing retreat as the world swirls vividly around us.”

 

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Wide World: Fun & Games

Mary Liz Ingram —  July 11, 2014 — Leave a comment

Party time in Edinburgh“Friday night we walked to dinner. Up the stairs we entered a vaulted room – like a church – lit dimly with candles and pink and purple lights in the high, arched ceiling. We had champagne or whisky, then beer and food. Afterwards they cleared the floor and music began on the colorfully lit stage, fast Scottish music complete with an accordion. We danced and laughed and had so much fun. We danced in a circle and I shed my introverted nerves, threw my head back in laughter and danced with all sorts of people as we traded partners going round and round…my husband, our friends, Scottish girls I didn’t know, Scottish boys I didn’t know, and an old man who kept saying “oh! oh!” like he thought he was going to fall over! I haven’t felt like that in, well, ever…”

In Costume, ink doodles

In Costume, ink doodles

This glowing, swirling plunge into Edinburgh led to a carefree journey full of child-like exploration.

We got up early and poked around gardens and churchyards. I scampered up and down the skinny Closes (alleys) between stores. We sat on stone walls listening to bagpipers and we took a late night tour of the spooky underground homes and rooms of the buried Mary King’s Close.

We stuck our heads in the huge cannon Mons Meg on top of Edinburgh Castle, feebly attempted to use some new Scottish phrases with our poor accents, made new friends and shed the skins of our “grown up” responsibilities, at least for a little while.

My Stephen took the opportunities to get in costume, dressing like John Knox in the oldest house in Edinburgh and posing for pictures, and later having a fake sword fight in chain mail with an actor playing Robert the Bruce. He lost this “wee skirmish,” and we couldn’t stop laughing.

I left Edinburgh with full memories of light-hearted fun and games, with lessons and practice in letting go and living life in joy and laughter.

Edinburgh, colored pencil & ink doodle

Edinburgh, colored pencil & ink doodle

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Wide World: Freedommm!!!

Mary Liz Ingram —  July 10, 2014 — Leave a comment
St. Andrews Cathedral, Scotland: marker, colored pencil & ink doodle

St. Andrews Cathedral, Scotland: marker, colored pencil & ink doodle

June 20, 2014

“Germany was beautiful, but Scotland feels free.

Germany had some heaviness and sadness about it – regret, remembrance of hardship, mixed with a new tolerance and beauty and peace. It was picturesque – like a movie set.

Scotland feels like sun and air and sea. It makes you want to hold your arms out and drink in the sun and the swirling air. To touch the stones and lay in the grass. To laugh and play.

The rough clan and religious history of the feisty Scots is fascinating…tunneling under castles to hurry sieges, deceptions and dungeons, William Wallace and Robert the Bruce, thistles and sheep, stone and sea.”

At this point in my journey, I lose track of the time and day. My journal becomes a mass of elation as we explore Scotland. I feel like I’ve found the mothership. Every day was filled with golden sun and soft green grass, flowers and breezes and sparkling sea, medieval watchtowers perched high on the craigs. Based in Edinburgh, we traveled out to St. Andrews our first morning in Scotland, the air crisp but not cold, perfect and refreshing.

“We went to St. Andrew’s Cathedral and St. Andrew’s Castle. I was blown away by the beauty of the place. The sun on my face, sea breeze bringing the seagulls’ calls through the air, my feet on the thick green grass scattered with tiny daisies, surrounded by the ruins with so many stories to tell. We climbed up narrow, twisting stone stairs to the the top of the tower at the broken cathedral. We crouched and scurried deep into the mine and counter-mine of the castle’s harsh Protestant-Catholic wars. I was giddy crawling through while water dripped on my face and I carefully placed my feet.”

Scotland, marker & ink doodle

Scotland, marker & ink doodle

We spent another day visiting the Famous Grouse Scotch distillery, tasting and laughing and enjoying our time together. Driving back to Edinburgh, watching the green hills roll past, seeing the sheep that I’ve drawn for so long, the black-faced, white, shining, familiar Scottish sheep, the mossy stone walls, the blue skies and rich fields stretching on and on in this glorious country…my heart was full. Passing the William Wallace Memorial and Stirling Castle, I wrote:

“This land inspires me; it makes me want to change. The feeling of freedom, of space and simplicity. I’m overwhelmed and moved by this place. We work hard everyday. Up and work, sleep and start over. Clean up, eat up…so much life to live. We toil and waste and spin our wheels and webs. I want to be better.”

“The world is wide, and I will not waste my life in friction when it could be turned into momentum.” -Frances E. Willard

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Wide World: Germany

Mary Liz Ingram —  July 5, 2014 — Leave a comment

Traveling Doodle SuppliesI’ve never been to Germany before. It is one of the most beautiful, peaceful and clean places I’ve ever been. We drove around the country on a big pink tour bus. All of my drawings from the trip were drawn on buses, trains or planes, making for some bumpy doodling. I decided any stray marks or wiggly lines just add character.

For my travel doodles, I carried a sturdy new notebook that would fit in my small bag, a set of 4 Staedtler ink pens, a small set of Faber-Castell PITT artist pens (brush markers), and a small box of Prismacolor Art Stix (woodless colored pencils). Everyday I watched for things to catch my eye, I tried to discover the essence of each place, recording my findings on my blank white pages.

Here are my first impressions of this beautiful country:

June 17, 2014

“In Mainz we walked up quiet streets, passing stacks of bikes, elderly couples holding hands or walking dogs, families with little kids trotting down the cobbled streets. The streets were canopied in beautiful trees with large leaves and smooth bark. Decorative white buildings with red roofs surround our walk. We passed an outdoor market filled with flowers and caught the smell of fresh fish.

At Wartburg Castle, we wound our way up the steep hill past mossy rocks and cheerful daisies to the white-washed walls crossed with thick wooden beams, ancient archways, white doves, cool breezes, and a high view of the German landscape. Sunlight danced on the rolling green fields, the many clusters of villages with their white walls and rust-colored roofs, the dark trees lining and dotting the land, and the huge wind turbines towering over the little towns with their giant, spinning arms.”

"Germany", marker & ink doodle

“Germany”, marker & ink doodle

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