Rufous-sided Towhee 12" x 12"

I didn't know anything about this bird when I began drawing it. I just found an image and thought it looked cool. I don't think I've ever heard anyone utter the name towhee, but definitely not "rufous-sided towhee". It was fun to read that they are every where. Maybe now I'll see one flying about San Francisco.

Persimmon

Today I walked by IXIA on Market Street and they have, as usual, two beautiful arrangements in the window. One of the wonders today featured persimmon branches filled with gorgeous ripe fruit. This post, is a nod to Gary Weiss, the proprietor, who makes art out of branches, leaves, and flowers, and offers us, the passers-by, a new arrangement every week or so through his dramatic window pieces.

I've only been eating persimmons for the last ten years or so and now they are such an essential part of my fall food habits. I usually begin collecting hachiyas in early November so I can turn the luscious soft fruit into persimmon pudding. But before that, if we are lucky, our fruit bowl is filled with crisp fuyus until they are no longer crunchy, but slightly soft and sugary.

From my Sketch Book

Here's what the one of my drawings looks like after I uploaded and punched up the contrast a bit. Then I print and head down to my local copy center and turn them into Xerox copies. Once they are good and carbon-filled, I set them in the clear wax medium and then remove the paper with water.

Another view of the Brewer's Blackbird