Forested Waterways

By now, you should have figured out that I like to draw wherever I go, including on vacations.

In 2023, my wife and I took a paddlewheel boat cruise on the Mississippi River. The boat was smaller than the usual cruise ship, and you got to meet many people. One of the ladies was watching me as I was drawing. I was drawing something from my imagination.

“I love to draw,” she said, “but I need a photo for reference. I couldn’t just draw something like that. The blank page scares me.”

I had to get ready for dinner, so I turned to a fresh sheet of paper and handed her my drawing tablet and a pen.

“Here you go, make your mark.” I said.

“Oh, no, I don’t want to ruin anything.”

I picked up my pen and made a scribbly line on the page.

“There, it’s already ruined. Go for it!” I said with a smile.

I left to get dressed, and when I returned, the only thing on the page was my squiggle. She said she couldn’t, and I smiled. She apologized for ruining a page in my drawing pad. I sat down and began the drawing you’re looking at. 

If you look closely, you can still see the scribble.