Happy July 4th...

Nope - no parade for me today. I actually ended up teaching a class this morning (my drawing class didn't want to miss a week) - and missed seeing the annual parade in tiny, downtown Bothell, Washington. It did take me twice as long to get home because I had to drive WAY around the center of town which was all blocked off for the parade I missed...

Spent the rest of the day in the studio. And am now at the computer scanning sketches... (my deadlines for this summer are *deadly*). From my studio window, however, I can see fireworks going off in various parts of the sky, so I don't feel like I am missing out too much. Last year, folks were setting them off until nearly 2 am, so sleep may be elusive this evening. Our whole neighborhood does their own (starting a number of days ago), and things have been exploding outside since lunch time today. Luckily, neither of the pets seems unduly affected. I know fireworks make some dogs crazy, but our very relaxed lab doesn't pay much attention. The only things he does seem to get excited about are playing with the sprinkler, treats, and other dogs (he LOVES other dogs...).

For me, today was spent very literally in "Christmas in July" mode, as the enclosed sketches may illustrate:



Reindeer, and Santa and lots of snowy exterior scenes...

And to be completely non-seasonal, I've been working on this book with "Highlander: the complete series" on DVD in the background. A friend owns the entire thing and loaned them to me for 'company' while I'm working. It sometimes slows me down a bit because I must pause occasionally to gaze at Adrian Paul, as the intrepid, immortal, warrior-Scot, Duncan MacLeod.... (small sigh...), but for the most part, it is enjoyable background, alternating with music or books-on-tape - depending on where I am in the creative process...

I wish you all, who celebrate it, a happy holiday.