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 :)

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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?

drawing: paddle board

Stand-Up Paddle Boarding is an outdoor activity that became popular in only the last 5 years, although, the sport existed in Hawaii for decades. Paddle boarding sprouted from surfing. However, paddle boarding is more versatile as a sport because waves are not required to propel yourself across the water. In fact, calm waters are preferable. You can simply move on the water, using a special shaped vertical paddle.

Paddle boards come in different sizes and shapes. The smaller ones can double as surfboard. The larger ones are for casual exercise, and can even be used as a platform for yoga. Mostly, paddle boards are so awkwardly big that a handle opening is cut out in the middle of the board so that it can be carried easily, with one arm, from your car to the water. Boards are made of a foam interior which allows for lightweight and portability.

My drawing is of a traditional paddle board and an accompanying paddle. This was fun to draw because it was a new subject for me. Have you tried paddle boarding? If not, put it on your list of things to do as way to relax and enjoy the body of water near you :)

illustration: tandem canoe

I am having cabin fever, so I wanted to draw something outdoorsy like this tandem canoe.

The weather will be above 50 degrees in the coming week, in the Northeast. I hope to get out on the water and do some paddling because the outside is my gym. Being active is good for the body and soul.

When possible, I like to paddle with a friend or family member like in this video with my Uncle. (He is the one who inspired me to do Winter skiing and Summer paddling).

What are you going to do when it warms up? Maybe go walk, hike or cycle? I would love to know :)