Sketches in New Mexico and Photos

That sounds cool, right?  Sketching in New Mexico, but I'm still sketching for Scavenger Hunt 230 so don't expect any southwest fun yet.

These sketches are in my Utrecht letter size brown paper sketchbook with a Prismacolor pen.  I sketch freehand for quick practice.  The items all start with B for Bonnie.  Thanks, Bonnie!

 Number 1, berries - I substituted cherries for berries, but in a bag.  Number 2, blue - the ice chest in the hotel with a bag on top.  :)

Number 3, back door - the view looking in the door from the deck in AXX (Angel Fire airline code).  Number 4, birds - the hummers and barn swallows from the deck.

Number 5, beads - a few of the beads on a strand from a Navajo necklace of amethyst, turquoise and coral.  The necklace has about 5 strands.

 Number 6, beer - Gene's Miller High Life.  It is a little chubby in my sketch.

Number 7, breakfast - Gene's oatmeal and raisins so you don't have to see my rice cakes for a while.  Number 8, beautiful - some of the scenery here in Angel Fire.

For proof that we are in New Mexico, here are a few photos.  Click for a larger image.

You can see the smoke from the Jemez/Los Alamos fire from Interstate 25 just north of Albuquerque.  It is just so dry here and fire danger is high.

 A doe and her fawns near AXX.  I got several photos.

 The evening near the condo.  There are some monsoon rains in the distance toward Wheeler Peak, but they didn't make it here.

Some of the bluffs near the Pallisades on the road to Cimarron from AXX.  All of the fishing areas and parks are closed because of the drought.  We couldn't go down to the water.

A view at the Vietnam Memorial.  It is such an amazing place.  Very touching, peaceful and beautiful.  A wonderful tribute to a son and Marine, Victor David Westphall III,  built by his father.  It is an amazing story and the visitors center has so much information about the soldiers and their strife in Vietnam.  Visit the website and the memorial in person if you can.  Here is a post from last year with sketches and photos, too.