To my delight, a local gallery has started offering life drawing classes once a week.  I've learned much about my lack of knowledge of anatomy, along with undeniable truths about my cartoonish (ok, "illustrative" if I must be polite) style.  Still, I love the experience, as well as the community.  Some glimpses from my sketchbook attached to the post.

My aunt and I have been engaging in what I consider to be a rather extraordinary correspondence.  I don't know her or that side of my family very well, and these letters have been wonderful to read.  She has included pictures, and I've been fascinated by them.  One in particular--from a 1947 college dance--I just love.  This sketch is based

All these dinner companions, not to mention the paintings, need to find homes.  I am launching my Etsy shop.  Visit it at http://www.etsy.com/shop/karenbunch.  So far only the charcoals are listed, but paintings will be posted shortly.

Frida, meet John.  John, meet Frida.  Go.

We (finally) got our first real snowfall last night.  I'm not a big fan of winter in general, but when the sun came out this morning, I felt compelled to get outside and take some pictures.  I was surprisingly unaware of the single digit temperatures.

They are so patient with me.  They may roll their eyes when I say things like "make crazy faces," but they play along.  I'm already saving for their therapy bills.

Recent work.  Drawn after watching the Woody Allen documentary on PBS over Thanksgiving.  And another Viginia. 

What an interesting, potentially hostile dinner party that would be.

While I've spent several weeks focused on drawing, my heart belongs to the paint.  I'll continue to play with the charcoal figures, but I needed a break.

With the realization that I must have an emotional connection to the subject in order to enjoy the process of making Art, I've turned to old pictures of friends for practice.  There's a lot of love in these.