Day 1 of October sketches. A few years ago we made a rather eclectic house for our dog, Gypsy. We made rock walls. Crenellated ridge along the roof line, and a swinging sign that similar to those from Victorian times boasted “Gypsy Cottage”. I sculpted a round window for the back inspired by Church windows. So in addition to NOT being framed properly square, it was a fun place for Gypsy to curl up in and she loved it!

Gypsy passed away a couple of years ago, so we replaced the swinging sign with a solar lantern, and now use it is a decorative place for sculptures!

This particular sculpture was one that I assisted Dr Gore (with whom I apprenticed under for sculpture), the original is in a private collection and is bronze. My husband created the mold for the bronze cast and we asked Dr Gores permission to use the mold so we could create a copy on stoneware clay. So a treasure for our family as well!

Sculpture: “On the Flight to Egypt” stoneware clay, 36”

Clay reproduction from the original bronze by Dr. Sam Gore in 2000

Toned Paper, Graphite, Conte

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Day 2, October sketches

For Mother’s Day every year, the family works with me on a project. Years ago it was to create an olde world fountain outside my studio. So I created the sculptural elements and the design, and we all built it.

Our home “Arcanum” was built in 1852, so this fountain blends very well with the history surrounding it.

Toned paper, graphite, contè

9x12

Day 3, October sketches

Yesterday I posted my Arcanum Lion Fountain, today it is the backdrop for an endless unfolding drama. (Not the pair of raccoons whom we’ve named Bonnie and Clyde because they were stealing the cat food and washing their hands in the fountain)

This story is about our outside studio kitty. We turn the fountain off at night and then she comes and waits patiently, ever hoping to catch the frog who has taken up residence in the fountain. Our fountain frog has striped hind legs, so we named him Jeremy Fisher as a nod to the book by Beatrix Potter. Our kitty’s name is Penwiper (hats off to anyone who recognizes that literary reference.). Though she has waited for hours and days, yea, even pounced into the fountain getting her front half soaked, she has yet to achieve her long dreamt of goal in catching Jeremy Fisher. But, as we all know…. Hope Springs Eternal…

Toned paper, graphite, conté

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Day 4 - October Sketches

It's like waiting for the TRAIN!

I saw this cut wee snail slowly making his way up the bell we use outside to call in the kids when they were younger.

Watching his SLOW progress reminded me of another SLOW progress that is often found in WarTrace......

Toned Paper, Graphite, conte

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Day 4 October Sketches

If you’re coming to WarTrace for the festival and saunter past the Well House, let me know if the spider’s web is still there!

“Had a dry summer…”

Toned paper, graphite, contè

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Day 5 October Sketches

Because I love Tennessee.

Because I love the rocks and stones here.

“Even the rocks would cry out…”

Toned paper, graphite, contè

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Day 6 October Sketches

Iron Rooster in my Garden

- my Nod to the French

Toned paper, graphite, contè

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Day 7 October Sketched

“Autumn ‘Poking’ and ‘Creeping’ around the Corner”

Catch the reference???

Poke Berry!

Virginia Creeper!

Day 8 October Sketches

“I’m ever Drawn to Sculpture”

Spending time in the cemetery at WarTrace is a joy to me; wandering and seeing the beautiful sculptures and memorials. I’ll probably be doing more sketches from this beautiful place.

Toned paper, graphite, contè

9x12

Day 9 October Sketches

“I’m really more of a dog person. However. This cat…

Autumn Kitty”

Born in September 2019, under The Celtic Cup Coffee House, her mother was a calico, her daddy a grey striped tiger, she was the runt of the litter and abandoned during a fierce storm. Chris and Denise found her and needing a home, she came to us! A true mixed up palette of calico and grey stripes, her front legs striped in different colors! God must have really enjoyed creating her!

Toned paper, graphite, conte

9 by 12

Day 10, October Sketches

“Stone Fox with Lantern at Dusk”

Years ago a friend gave me this fox but he was broken in several pieces. So I repaired him and placed him up on the hill under the trees where I can see him from the studio. The Ivy has grown up around him so it looks like he’s prancing among it. This spring in a bit of whimsy, I put a solar lantern suspended from his mouth.

The squirrels still sit on his back and when they face the right way, look like they are riding him like a forest steed!

The deer, however, weren’t too sure about the lantern addition and I was vastly amused at one Buck that came close to charging him!

Toned Paper, Graphite, Conte

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Day 11 October Sketches.

From my meanderings in the beautiful cemetery. “Sentinel”.

Toned paper, graphite, contè, 9 by 12

Day 12 - October Sketched

Again… with the cat! But her mix matched parentage of grey stripy and calico is just too fun to draw!

However, no fear, I will not fill the rest of this month with cat sketches!

“Autumn Kitty”

Toned paper, graphite, contè

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Day 13 - October Sketches

Hidden Gem of Architecture in WarTrace

Does anyone know where this is at?

Toned paper, graphite, contè

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Day 14 - October Sketches

Beauty Crystalized in Stone

WarTrace cemetery, such a beautiful place!

Toned paper, graphite, conté

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Day 15 - October Sketches

Hewn in Stone

WarTrace Cemetery

I suppose being a sculptor myself I find that I really enjoy drawing sculptural elements. Even when I sketch at museums 95% of my sketches are of sculptures instead of paintings.

Toned paper, graphite, contè

9 by 12

Day 16 - October Sketches

Frst on the....

appears we were a bit late planting the garden this year.

Day 17 - October Sketches

Looking out my studio window at my fountain I saw this mocking bird taking sips of fresh running water. 

…..Slowly grab sketchbook so he won’t get startled…, sketch fast!

Day 18 - October Sketches

Wandering 'down town' in WarTrace, these are quick sketches of some of the scenes unique to this small town.

Day 19 - October Sketches

Outside Studio Kitty in my Garden - obviously still contemplating ways to catch Jeremy Fisher

Day 20 - October Sketches

Home grown lavender from my garden in an antique French demitasse Limoges cup.  It’s calming just to look at!

Day 21 - October Sketches

“Oooooo, I LOVE that rock!”

(….. we parked 2 miles away….)

AKA

Best Sons Ever! 

        I call it my bunny rock, a friend of ours has several hundred acres we were camping on. Just so you realize how massive this rock is, it’s well over 50 pounds and we had to hike it up and out of a valley. The boys lashed out to a pole to carry it out between them. Yep, took a while!

Day 22 - October Sketches

Beauty in Creation 

   There are wrens all around my studio and home. Such cute cheeky little birds.  (To read an amusing story of my studio wren, go to my site www.tracyhsugg.com then go to my Sculptor’s Muse and search for “wren”) We will find their abandoned nests and bring them in the studio, so I have them scattered around. Then my children would bring me eggs they would find in the yard around springtime that had been discarded from the nest. So I keep those and put them in my nests. The spike antler shed has been in several of my paintings. I love the shape and color and texture God created in it. So for this October sketch I drew them all together, as I’ve got them displayed in my studio

Day 23 - October Sketches

A Sketch of my Violinist Sculpture

The morning light is so beautiful on sculptures!

Day 24 - October Sketches

I’m ‘lichen’ this Antique Iron

So I do have a penchant for antique iron, bronze, and especially architectural elements! And when nature combines with it such as ivy, or lichen, etc I love it even more!

Day 25 - October Sketches

Lone Dryad Adorning for Autumn

After seeing Autumn colors beginning to abound, I’ve been (not so) patiently waiting for them to come to the hillside behind my studio.  And finally one tree, my Autumn Glory Maple, has just started putting on her Autumn Ball Gown amidst all the green trees surrounding her!

Day 26 - October Sketches

“Is she a bird?” My 3 yr old granddaughter asked me when she saw the bronze sculpture I had made of my daughter when she was three…. And I had whimsically just added the wings!

A sketch of the sculpture of my daughter at 3 yrs old. I tied on the metal wings for Christmas one year for fun- and I’ve left them ever since.

Day 27 - October Sketches

Autumn Light 

Sketch of the hanging Lantern in my garden

Day 28 - October Sketches

Blow ye Winds

Many of our WarTrace friends also live in historic homes. They were such an encouragement to us when we moved here and began the long process of historic research and restoration.  It’s a delight to see how each home reflects those who live there.

Day 29 - October Sketches

‘Tis Time to Write

This pen, ink and family heirloom pocket watch are on my mantle, a visually beautiful reminder to take the time to write. 

I did grab charcoal for this sketch, the black feather compelled me to!

Day 30 - October Sketches

A Masque in the Library

Years ago Robert and I were invited to a masquerade. I was inspired by some leather masks we had seen in New Orleans, so decided to make our own. I started by taking plaster mold of our faces so I could shape the leather to exactly fit our bone structure.  Then I researched the historic styles of the Venetian masks of the Renounce, which would include bits of sheet music and Voila! The masks were so comfortable we wore and danced in them the whole time, and have worn them to other parties since. They are so beautiful I keep them displayed in the library. 

Day 31- October Sketches

A Beautiful Church Shines the Light

This sketch was inspired by our Church - 

WarTrace Baptist built in 1876