Wednesday, May 4, 2011

SKETCHBOOK - "Spudnut Cowboy"

Just returned from a trip home to see my family in El Dorado, Arkansas...a weekend full of sketchin', eatin', laughin', bush-hoggin' and swimmin'! Thought I'd post a few images of some of the fun.

On one rainy morning, I headed over to one of the iconic places in my home town...The Spudnut Shop! Most folks wonder what you're talking about..."What's a spudnut?!" It's better than any donut you'll ever taste...made from potato flour and love, covered in a sugar glaze and greasy as can be. Melts in your mouth!!
I had started the sketch below, when "hoss" sat down right in front of me (the drawing at the top)! Couldn't resist. I told someone later, "Don't sit down in my composition and not expect to get drawed!" (You may notice that I'm even writing with a southern drawl now...always happens when I "go home" for a bit.) Anyway...after the "Spudnut Cowboy" left, I finished the sketch of the tables.
Mom, her sketchin' buddy "Speck", and I spent a couple of days on a sketch adventure . Mom had scouted out some locations before I arrived, and hit the "Mother Lode" with a wonderful place ..."Rusty Acres" Salvage Yard!! The name says it all...acres and acres of junked out cars, trucks, tractors and who knows what...all rusting away. It was beautiful!!! We stayed out there for a few hours, in spite of the threatening rain clouds, and had a blast. I will be back!!
Mom and "Speck" sketched some ol' John Deere tractors, while I was around the corner continuing my series of vans with weird things sitting on the roof.
We ended that day's efforts at the Arkansas Gas and Oil Commission building, next to First Assembly of God Church.
Another day, we drove to nearby Smackover to visit the Arkansas Museum of Natural Resources (a.k.a. the Oil and Brine Museum). There was an interesting vehicle made from a former circus trailer that was owned by the locally famous "Goat Woman" during the depression era. She was a "one woman band" and could play seven instruments at once. She lived in this little trailer, raised goats, and would entertain any visitors who might drop by.
There were a couple of old "boom town" vehicles on display...I liked this delivery truck.
Since it was raining, and we were getting tired, I was not able to sketch some of the terrific treasures out on the grounds of the museum...antique oil drilling machinery. Another time!

One of the highlights of the trip was going out to the home of my brother Kris and his wife Debra. For the first time in my life I got to drive a tractor and bush-hog the front pasture!!! I had a silly grin on my face the whole time. Kris was more than happy to "let me" mow for about an hour. (Reminds me of Tom Sawyer's approach to getting his fence white-washed.) After showing me the ropes, and goin' a lap or two around the field, he turned me loose on my own.
Whew! Worked up an appetite...I need me a SPUDNUT!!

12 comments:

  1. Hey Warren. Isn't it special that Spudnuts always come to mind when we think about going to El Do??? I saw Kris last September at a big charity golf tourney while back in El Do. I'm glad to know that you have this blog and pics so that now I can keep up with you a little better.

    ReplyDelete
  2. The more sketches I see the more I love the style. I think your sketches would illustrate a children's book beautifully. A dream of mine is to complete a book myself.

    ReplyDelete
  3. There's more to do in El Do than I knew! But Spudnuts are always a highlight of the trip! Great drawings!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Warren has done children's books but you're right Tim, he should do another!!! Especially since a grandson is on the way!!!
    Happiness!!! XO

    ReplyDelete
  5. Thanks for the compliments, folks! Funny thing about no longer living in my home town...when I return, there are always things that catch my eye, that most folks have grown used to and walk right on by. Guess I could say that about where I live, too. Keep your eyes open...might be treasures and adventures right under your nose!

    As for the kids books...have to wait and see. Never know what sort of tall tales I might be inspired to tell to my future Grandson. Hmm...interesting possibilities.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Enjoyed this so much. Thanks for sharing! You are so talented. :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. Mmmmmmmmm Sputnuts!!!!!!!!

    Even the sketches had my mouth watering.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Hey, BP! Are "sputnuts" the Russian version? :)

    ReplyDelete
  9. Nyet! I blame the misspelling on elementary school teachers at Murmil Heights.

    Refusing to take responsibility for five decades and counting,

    BP

    ReplyDelete
  10. I'll add that I think that Spudnuts are the opiate of the masses and their cinnamon rolls are for those who are more equal than others.

    ReplyDelete
  11. stylish? I think so...

    http://ricalopia.blogspot.com/2011/05/post-200-with-style.html

    ReplyDelete
  12. Great sketches...especially the cowboy! hehe

    ReplyDelete