In the studio with artist, photographer and instructor Robert Louis Caldwell

Africa Journal/Sketchbook entry;  7/25/2012 "Once again I have found another instance of serendipity while planning for my Africa trip -- A trip that almost didn't happen...” While planning and preparing for my Africa trip I have had several incidents of serendipity which led me today to looking up the word and also its origin. Serendipity means: An aptitude for making desirable discoveries by accident; good fortune;  luck.”  There have been many incidents that have happened that led me to believe that I would not be going, in fact for about 3 weeks I had officially made the decision that I wasn't going. Thankfully I have had several moments of serendipity that have turned everything around. Serendipity simply means “happy accident” and was first noted by Horace Walpole (1717-1797) who said he formed the word from the Persian Fairy tale “ The Three Princes of Serendip ” The Princes of Serendip is the English version of an Italian version by Michele Tramezzin

My summer studio newsletter is out, please click on the link below to view the newsletter! What, where and when... Summer 2012

Africa 2012 Journal/Sketchbook Entry: 7/11/2012 "Today I received my passport! This is basically my green light to offically move forward with all plans. Booking the flight and paying for the Safari. What a major weight off of my shoulders." Well it has officially begun, Africa 2012 ! With today's mail came a highly enticapted delivery... My passport! This was the missing piece of the puzzle that I have been scrambling to fit into place. This posting also marks what will be the first of many that will document my journey to Africa. There is a lot more than just buying tickets and jumping on a plane. Proper planning and prep work will go far on a research trip like this. Although it may seem like this is an exotic vacation, it is not. The several months leading up to my departure will be filled with intense studying of the wildlife that I am likely to encounter. Things like animal behavior, their markings for proper identification, when and were to observe the