…and call me in the morning.

Here in Athens, Ohio, naturally, you’ll find the Cannabis Museum. Please take a good, long look at the Museum’s website in case you’re unfamiliar with or interested in learning more about the artistic, historic, medical, and industrial uses of cannabis…especially prior to 1937, when sadly, fear, ignorance, and greed vilified and marginalized this lucrative and self-sustaining venture. Here’s yet another similar museum in Barcelona, Spain (Catalonia), where you’ll find the photo reference I used  to paint (freehand) the vintage-looking medicine bottle using my iPad Pro, an Apple Pencil, the Sketch Club app, and a tweak or two in iColorama.

Click on image to enlarge it

I’m intrigued by the amber-colored, old-fashioned medicine bottles; and by the way, the Cannabis Museum in Athens, Ohio has a ton of these artifacts! Here’s just a glimpse of the ever-evolving exhibits. Check it out. When you do, you’ll see first hand that this story didn’t end in 1937; far from it! There is a promising future thanks to the vision, competence, and creativity of folks of all ages and from all walks of life.

Sorolla Study

I’ve always loved the works of Joaquín Sorolla y Bastida. I thought I’d try my hand (and Apple Pencil using the Sketch Club app on an iPad Pro) at one that caught my eye, “Pescadora Valencian,” (1916).

Sorolla Study

Screenshot

Extreme Huskies’n Stuff

Our guide was wonderful. She taught us both how to dog sled, how to mush, how to ride along, and how to love dogs even more! At the end of our excursion, she introduced us to the entire dog team…one by one and by name! Here’s to you, Maestra! Extreme Huskies near Ivalo, Finland.

Extreme Huskies

Click on these to enlarge them:

Jorma & John live in Athens, OH

A few weeks ago Annyth and I got to see Jorma Kaukonen and John Harlbut at the River Of Time Boutique in Uptown Athens. That was on December 16, 2023. Now that we’re back in Athens we get to see first hand cool things like this. I took a photo between songs which I used as a photo reference for this freehand iPad digital painting. It was a beautiful Saturday afternoon, and the live music warmed our souls. Annyth bought a really cool apron there too.

This isn’t Jorma’s first appearance on this illustroblog. Check out these two other posts, one of which tells the story of my weekend at the Fur Peace Ranch back in the early 2000s when I learned at camp directly from Jorma himself that, when it comes to finger picking, the secret is in the thumb: yep, click here. See a couple of must-see links below the following image:

Check these out too:
1. Click here
2. Click here too, this is cool!.

The Dairy Barn

Yea, the Dairy Barn! Read all about it!

I first laid eyes on this landmark in 1979, and it never ceases to amaze and inspire me. I’m glad we’re back to visit the grounds and take part in the art and music events. There are also gorgeous, very nearby hiking trails guaranteed to please any time of the year. Ora Anderson Trail. The Ridges.

Freehand iPad painting in Sketch Club. Reference photo:

I Had an Hour and Two Beers

So, I got to spend some time with superstar Piper, who’s being held by her mom, Vickie, the wife of my friend from childhood, Joe.

Superstar Piper

Ah, the beers?  First, I had a pint of the Irish Dry Stout; then, a pint of Mischievous Brown Ale.
Where: Helltown Brewing, Houston, PA taproom.

My friend’s grandson

His name is Sean Reeser. He plays sax; and, he plays it well.
I drew him on my iPad using an Apple Pencil in the Sketch Club app with a final tweak or two in iColorama.
Check him out below playing with @ZackGrooves and Everything Yes, Live at Memphis Drum Shop.

Sean

Lucas Imbiriba, Guitar, Malagueña, Fire Extinguisher

Bumped into another amazing guitarist, Lucas Imbiriba. I snuck a little screen shot – as a reference photo for a Sketch Club painting on my iPad – taken from the YouTube video below in which he plays Malagueña. He has other astonishing videos. The fire extinguisher? That’s my idea. I hope he keeps one handy for his fingers.

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Face Value* by comparison.

Click on image to enlarge

*…with several significant exceptions.