I’m an opportunistic artist. Time for making art is precious, so I find it where I can.
Click on the gallery if you want to get stuck at the road construction with me. Who wouldn’t, right?
Morning finds me stopped at a road widening project on Buckhorn Summit. Sometimes the traffic waits thirty minutes. Once I finish making business calls and checking email, I pull out my drawing pad. I just started inking a chipmunk. It makes time fly.
Finally, the traffic is moving. They’re using a skidder to move logs off the road cut.
They even have logs stacked up on the bank ready to go to the mill.
They brought in a yarder to pull logs off the road cut to a loader waiting below. This looks more like a logging job then a road project. They’re yarding downhill, which is a much more dangerous than yarding uphill.
It’s afternoon and I’m headed back to town. Once again I’m waiting at the traffic control. Time to put a little more ink to paper. It’s amazing how much you can do while waiting in traffic control.
Rolling past the yarder again. I’m on my way home.
THE FORESTER ARTIST 
Ha! I’m glad I’m not the only one who gets excited by delays if it means more sketching time. Loving how this is coming along, are you using a brush pen for those darks?
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I’m glad to hear you appreciate those stolen moments too Mel. It sure beats sitting around being annoyed. I did use my brush pen for the darks. I have a Yuretake No.50, love this pen.
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brilliant idea ( and a cure for road rage perhaps!) Nice image
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An excellent thought Lisa! From now on when I feel overwhelming road rage, I will pull over and draw a ridiculous caricature of the offending driver. 😉
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😀
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Sounds impossible, but I would unfailingly prefer to get stuck here instead of hang out in my job:)
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I is a nice view. There are definitely worse places to be stuck. It just so happens that when I’m stuck here, I can wait a long time. The allows plenty of time to get out my pens. Most traffic control stops is too short to draw.
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Well, then it lasts a little bit too long. You are good example how art is able to change hard times of our lives into opportunity.
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It’s always good to look for the opportunities. By the way, I haven’t been able to open up your blog. Did you discontinue it? I’ve enjoyed following you work.
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🙂 Very, very nice to know you like it. I’ve checked – it was still alive this morning, but with internet you never know…I’ll take care.
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Tim,
Yesterday, I carried a memoir I’m reading and taking notes on with me to a doctor’s appointment for my husband. I try to make my waiting time productive too. Magazines at the doctor’s office aren’t for me. I love the idea of keeping a sketch pad in the car. Sometimes, I jot writing ideas in the car while at stoplights.
Love the chipmunk. Does he have a name? An adventure?
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Linda, you named my next favorite place to draw in a pinch, the doctor’s waiting room. Emphasis on the “waiting.” However, I don’t draw a stop lights, not that fast. 😉 I didn’t name the chipmunk, but if I did I would call him Dale.
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Talk about time management! And that painting seem to be coming out great!
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Thank you Malvika! It’s all about stealing a few moments here and there.
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Pretty creative use of time Tim, given enough of a traffic jam you might be able to finish the whole drawing!
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Hah, I’ve finished several like this!
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Can’t wait to see it finished! Looks great!
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Thank you Caroline! I figure three or four more good sessions stuck a road construction and I’ll have it knocked out. 😉
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Great use of down time.. I’m glad you were prepared.
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I’m always prepared Ruth. I keep a satchel with pens, pencils, eraser, pads and reference photos with me at all times. I have to admit that drawing in my truck is a wee bit awkward, because of the stirring wheel. Why they didn’t consider that when they designed the truck is beyond me!
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This is cool and nice scenery. I love the outdoors and I would have done the same thing in the same situation. Any time to make art sounds like time well spent to me.
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You got that right David!
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A true artist . Fancy being able to sketch in traffic like that Tim 🙂
Cute little chipmunk !
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That’s nothing! What’s really tough is drawing while driving. 😉
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Great idea to be prepared – I do carry a sketchbook with me at all times (and my Kindle too when I know I may have to wait for something) but often I forget I have the sketchbook! It certainly helps while away boring meetings, as long as no-one notices me drawing!
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Sneaky! I like it. 😉
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