The second drawing in my series of Granby, Missouri mines is the 1905 Cheap Screw Mine.  Again, I took inspiration from a book published in 1905 using Missouri State Geology records.  The endearing thing about this mine is its apparent lack of upkeep. This pencil drawing illustrates the disarray of the immediate surroundings of this lead mining site.   My initial thoughts on creating prints is beginning to materialize into two runs, a limited edition Giclee, which will be printed on demand and another limited edition run of prints.  The Giclee run will be limited to 25 and the limited edition run will be 500.  I'll post more details as I finish negotiations with each of the printers.  Thanks to all my supporters (both of you are appreciated ;) and the critics who have helped me improve my art.

My grandparents still maintain Purple Martin houses and have for at least 25 years. In Southern Missouri you have to mitigate all the mosquito bites in some way, just so happens, they chose to encourage Purple Martins to next near their house.  The cats used to get close and the birds would dive bomb them promptly. I never saw the cats catch one, but of the dozens of Martins around I suspect they got one from time to time.

The best Purple Martin habitat almost always contains a large open field.  I've seen small colonies (25 birds plus their young) on as small as a half acre tract.  My Grandfather's colony consisting of well over 50 adults has about 75 acres of open terrain.  The one thing I almost immediately noticed is the Purple Martin's tendency to fight for the gourd houses more intensely than the tradition multi unit houses.

I hear that a newspaper recently did an article on Grandpa's Martins. Can't wait to see it.

Ebay.com purchases are a norm for me, but what I do with them is often a mystery with my family.  My acquisition of the 1905 Geology of Mines, Granby Missouri Area turned out to be a source of drawing inspiration.  In one of the later plates a photograph appears of the Jack Sprout Mine in Granby, Missouri.  After viewing several photos I finally composed this picture of the mine in the hometown of my youth.  One day maybe I'll determine the exact location of the old Jack Sprout Mine and photograph the present day area.  In the foreground of my drawing a hand jig is seen and the bigger tower is an example of a beam pump.  I'm exploring turning this drawing into a print series for others to enjoy, though I don't have much experience in this arena.

In any event drawing is a relaxing hobby that keeps my stress level in balance, and gives me a sense a purpose.  The enjoyment of finishing a sketch is quite an experience to be treasured. I pray everyone finds a stress reliever as good as the one I possess.

Tornados aren't something you mess with, especially when they hit your childhood hometown.  I got the call last night from Mom.  You know the voice of bad news...the kind were you know something bad is coming and you don't know exactly what.  My Mom and Dad lost a lot of trees and siding but physically their OK.  My Dad's childhood home was hit hard.  I remember playing an organ in a room that is now gone.