I got rid of my smartphone some months back because I decided my free time could be used better. I put a journal in my purse so that the next time I had 5-10 minutes, I didn't reach for my phone to check my e-mail or Facebook and used that time to sketch instead. While I really, really miss my phone, I realized I didn't need to have a computer in my hand all day long. What I really needed was a return to creating art, whether making sketches, painting or just having fun playing with paints. Here's a few:

Ahhh... THIS is what Summer is all about.  Spending time on the beach.  

Another quick 15 minute sketch, no pre-drawing, just to exercise my skills.  It's not perfect, not intended to be.  Just enough to capture the essence of what I was seeing.

Ahhh... after so many months of rain, cold, rain and more rain, it is finally warming up and the sun is starting to come out.  We've had an exceptionally cold and wet Spring.  This sketch was done in 15 minutes, no drawing beforehand, just straight brush to paper.  It was a fun exercise.

Here's to hopefully many more sunny Summer days to come!