drawing: apollo 13

I am a fan of anything to do with space exploration. I pay close attention to space missions such as the Space X, NASA, the Rover and Mars. So when the event that started it all, 50 years ago, arrives, I feel like a kid again, wanting to be an astronaut. Apollo 11 stories pop up on all news channels and I watch with awe.

In honor of that achievement, I draw the Apollo capsule, just before it returns to Earth. It is hard to believe that three brave souls, crammed themselves into such a small space, let alone, walked on the Moon!

If given the opportunity, would you go to the Moon or Mars? Or maybe just experience zero G’s in near orbit? These experiences actually seem more and more possible in our life time, or at least, in this century. Let me know :)

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drawing: camping

I did a cartoon drawing of camping for my friend’s birthday card. We used to camp together in great locations such as Cape Cod and Cape May. Unfortunately, he moved away which makes it more difficult to plan a trip. But alas, I still love to go camping. My most recent camping trip is to upstate New York. I have the chance to cook on the portable stove, tour a small town, do some canoe fishing and simply breathe the fresh air. If you like the outdoors and camping, check out my short video .  What is your favorite thing to do when camping? Let me know :)

sketch: cat eyes

My cat, Mochi is always on high alert. She is startled by the slightest sound. She posed for my portrait drawing while she stared at birds outside the window. And as you can see, she has the biggest eyes.

Yes, I named my cat after the delicious Japanese ice cream dessert :)

sketch: cat sleeping

To be a cat means having a good life. People love them. People take care of them. In some cultures, people worship them. And my cat is no exception.  I did a sketch of my cat sleeping, enjoying her good life. Even when asleep, cats twitch and shuffle around, which forces me to sketch quickly. But that is a good exercise in creating a loose free-flowing line in tight time constraints.

drawings: boat postcards

I made some fun drawings of recreational water crafts. My illustrations are printed as postcards in a set of four, including a Sit-on-top Kayak, a Sit-in Kayak, a Stand-up Paddle board and a Tandem Canoe. Each is a large card of 5 x 7 inches.

The postcards are available at my store. They are perfect to send to friends and family members who are paddlers, active, or simply, outdoor lovers. Check them out :)

As you can probably tell, I am ready to get outdoors. Are you ready for fun in the sun?

 

drawing: sit-in kayak

Are you thinking of getting a kayak? Sit-in Kayaks come in different lengths and widths. Shorter kayaks that are about 6 feet long and 32 inches wide may be lighter and stable, but wont have good efficiency. Longer kayaks, as long as 16 feet and 28 inches wide, are not as stable, but will cut straight through the water with great efficiency.

Sit-in Kayaks are popular due to their generally lighter weight build, compared to Sit-on-top Kayaks. However, this type of personal watercraft may not be for everybody because some may feel claustrophobic. Sit-in Kayaks can constrict the legs to a straight position. I recommend you test out which vessel best suits your comfort level by renting it first before you buy.

My drawing shows a Sit-in Kayak which is somewhere in between a short and long boat. To me, it is just right for the casual paddler.

If you enjoy paddling, like me, let me know which watercraft suits your taste. I hope you get outdoors soon, as the weather is getting warmer and trees are blooming. Happy paddling all :)

 

 

drawing: kayaking with pedals

The first time I tried a Sit-on-top Kayak, it felt tippy. As a canoe paddler myself, it took some getting used to. A different boating experience, but fun all the same. The double-hulled design has it advantages, especially when paddling on wavy water. I tried it out as seen in my Sea Kayak Fishing video, taken in California. If swells pour into the boat, a Sit-on-top self bails through scupper holes in the bottom, essentially keeping you getting too wet.

My drawing is of a Sit-on-top Kayak with pedals. One can propel the kayak forward by the use of his/her feet just like a bicycle! And at the same time, have arms free to do some fishing and catch the Big One!

Spring is here! Hooray :) What are your plans for Spring?