Many years after Stevie’s death, Rolling Stone ranked him #7 out of 100, in their list of Greatest Guitarist of all time.

What makes a great musician? As in anything we do, I belive it is the passion behind what we are doing that drives us to greatness.  Life certainly can have it’s share of trials and tribulations, for some way more than others.  I wrote of Wellness Wednesday a few posts back, when you have the blues, winter blues or otherwise, remember your passions in life, and sink into one of them.  Even if it is only for a glimmer of a minute. 

I found this picture of Stevie many years ago and it has always been a favorite of mine.  Yes, I have always been attracted to “attitude”, this is a picture of Stevie that carries that attitude and the swagger of an outstanding musician.  The intesity that Stevie played with is incredible.   I have said it before, and I will say it again, if you have not watched Hug You, Squeeze You, go look it up on YouTube, at one point in the video the camera shoots him at an upward angle, and he glimpse’s directly into the camera, you can literally see the passion of the song in his eyes. 

I was working on this piece that was done with a woodless graphite, 97 4B with an extreme amount of shading.  I got to his muscular chest, and sat thinking, what the heck is wrong with this? I realized, I had his peacock tattoo drawing backwards, as well as his famed belt buckle, “The End of the Trail”, which still is backwards on the sketch above.

Take today to chase away your blues!

~ Soul to Soul - Susie

February 2007, Chicago fan’s flew flags, and prepared for a long anticpated Superbowl.   Party preparations, excitement was in the air like the blizzard of 1967 &1979. 

The city stopped during those snow storms. Last year, Bears Fan’s stopped at any chance they could to discuss the upcoming game,  all over the city,  Monster’s of the Midway.  The Art Institute Lion’s doned the Chicago Bears Helmet’s. 

92 yards for a touchdown at Superbowl XLI, we sat with racing hearts and sweaty palms, with anticipation of a Superbowl celebration.  Well, we all know how it ended, and as the Superbowl weekend kicks into gear, I decided to draw a tribute to a player that has held his own, and held the ball for:  

• Most touchdown returns in a season - (6) (2006, 2007)
• Most touchdowns kick and punt returns in a season - (6) (2007)
• Most touchdown returns as a rookie (6) - (2006)
• Most touchdown returns in one game (2)** - Against St. Louis on 12/11/2006 and Denver Broncos on 11/25/07

As the weekend get’s underway, this sketch, done with a General’s Woodless Graphite HB, merging three of Devin’s famous poses into one 18 x 18 sketch, it will be a Bear’s Superbowl at heart!

Stay tuned for the finish product!

This is my son Jake, when we were in Puerta Vallarta last February.  We stayed at Club Meza Del Mar.  Which, I would highly recommend for anyone that doesn’t need all the bells and whistles. 

Club Meza Del Mar was one of the first hotels to offer all- inclusive.  I have to say, the breakfast was over the top with variety.   The rooms are spacious, we stayed in a 2 bedroom suite.  Could you get better accomodations? Yes, but it is well worth the price.  We did not spend alot of time in the room, it could use improvements for sure, but if you are planning on alot of beach time, this is the place to stay.

This picture of Jake was  taken after a long day of whale watching and lunch & a snorkeling attempt at Las Caletas, it was extraordinary and absolutely beautiful little getaway and we had several whales that were following the boat, here is a baby that surfaced.  

I started this drawing a few months back,  and figured I would post it showing some points that need improvement.  If you look at Jake’s eye, you will notice that he does not appear to be looking completely forward, and that is throwing it off as an exact replica.  I used  charcoal on this drawing and had a heavy hand in the shading and blending. I need to adjust the tip of his nose as well, as you can see I have not captured the little ball on the end of his nose. 

I often have the problem of using to heavy of a hand with outlines and shading, which will cause issues, when you need to go back and erase and re-draw.  A lighter touch at the beginning of the drawing will help when you are starting out, it is so much easier to correct your mistakes.