Lizard and Flowers (8.5” x 12” Pen and Ink)
As mentioned in a previous post, my intent is to begin sharing more of my daily sketch work as it unfolds. After completing my previous notebook on March 23rd, 2026, taking a moment to flip through it, like a trip down memory lane, was a personally rewarding experience. Btw, I still plan to record a sketchbook tour video. As noted in a previous post, I have yet to record the flip through. To be continued…
This sketch was inspired by a walk around my home. It started with this lizard that was hanging out by the back window. Fortunately, I was able to snap a photo of it.
Even though it was taken through a window screen, the photo was clear enough to use as a reference image.
There was some personal debate to whether I wanted to give him the inflated throat or not. The choice was made after a few line scratches in my starting frame that made it impossible for me to go back. Per my sketch work process, it is almost always improvised. The work starts to step out to me as the ink lands on the page. There is an occasion, in a case like this, some type of physical inspiration to get my mind wandering. “Can i translate that to the page?” That initial spark will get the work started.
Rarely ever do I have a full piece in mind. I’ll continue to add as I go. That can be risky when using pen because there is no erasing, but that’s part of the fun, right? Knowing that you’re making the commitment. The low key nerve wrecking adrenaline of crossing into the point of no return. It can mess up a once beautiful thing, crush that moment of relief in seeing what you have accomplished and, most importantly, can test your ability on how to trouble shoot, improvise, see things in a new light and make correct that slash of the pen that did not turn out as planned.
It brings to mind the comedians who discuss taking themselves and the crowd into the abyss only to spend the next minutes struggling to climb their way back out of that hole to win over the crowd. It does not always work but there is always a lesson to be learned.
The plant is based off of a Peony that lives in the front of our home. It is certainly one of the most resilient plants I have ever seen. Ever year it returns to welcome the spring. It’s buds produce some type sweet nectar that attracts ants, bees and other insects.
While sitting on the porch, playing fetch with the dog and watching some red wasps duck and dive around us, my attention was taken to the leaves. Such a bulky and hearty flow to them. The inspiration to pair them with the lizard sketch was seeded. No pun intended.
Since starting my daily sketch routine in 2025, the look backwards reveals a large step forward of improvement. Things that are not always recognized or may be blurred in the moment they occur. Flipping back through a completed sketch book or reincorporating a previous trick helps the momentum jump out. In this piece, it was something i reconnected with in the leaves. It brought me back to something unexplained. Like a missing puzzle piece found on the floor that immediately connects a section of frame. That piece unlocks the flow of the surrounding work.
I’ll give some other examples of those as we move forward with other pieces, but for now, I’ll stop here.
~ Bobby / Monuments in Ruin
Enjoying things, so far? Lt me know in the comments.
Considering a monetary contribution? Click here and thank you for your support!