I've joined a group (well, you do that by showing up) called the Memphis Urban Sketchers. Elizabeth Alley, a fabulous artist here in town, started the group after attending an Urban Sketchers conference. We meet once a month to go out and paint somewhere in the city.

I love being out with other artists and seeing their takes on the same environment, but it's also spurred me to spend more time with my sketchbook in between our meetings. I'm experimenting with watercolors to add to my pen and ink drawings, and I've been going out in my neighborhood to draw more regularly. It's always good to keep pushing yourself as an artist.

All three of these sketches are just a block or two from my home.