I WON!

 Earlier this week I got an email from the person handling public art for the City of Renton to inform me that my Storm Drain Cover Design had won, via the public voting for their favorite, along with one other design. There are only two storm drain covers that were to be made.

YAY!

A big THANK YOU to everyone who voted over the two weeks prior to July 31st. You helped to make this possible and I am grateful to count you as friends.

Going forward I've asked them if it's possible to video the process of making the storm drain cover at the foundry. We are negotiating that possibility and I will be posting more when I find out.

Here's what they sent me, along with a hardy congratulations.

A few months ago I entered 6 designs in the Public Arts program for Renton. They wanted designs for a couple of new storm drain covers. One of mine was picked as one of the finalists. Yay!

Now, finally, they are putting it to a vote, but this time it's the public that gets to vote on it.

Sooooo,... I'm asking a favor of all my friends here on Facebook to vote for my design on the Renton site.

Here's what they sent me today:

Voting has been taking place online and in-person, with the finalist designs being displayed at the watch parties at Legacy Square and Farmers Market this past weekend/earlier this week and plan for the designs to be displayed at Renton River Days this coming weekend and at the 7/28 Farmers Market.

The online voting page can be found here: https://yourvoice.rentonwa.gov/stormwater-art

Please click on the "Take Survey" box to take you to the designs.

Please feel free to share! A post promoting the art/online voting should also be going live later this week on the City’s social media pages.

Online voting closes at end of day on Friday July 31, 2026. Once results are finalized, we will announce the winners and will reach out with next steps.

Keeping my fingers crossed. There is a nice stipe end for the winner.

SUMMER READING

 Get a hold of one or two of these fun books for your summer reading!

SUMMER READING LIST

 Just in time for your Summer reading list... My photo book "Botanica"

A vivid celebration of nature’s quiet brilliance, Botanica invites readers into a world of color, texture, and fleeting beauty—captured through the lens of a high-resolution cell phone camera, chosen for its immediacy and spontaneity over traditional gear.

Photographed across the lush landscapes of the Pacific Northwest and the sun-drenched terrain of the American Southwest, this full-color photo book showcases an intimate collection of flowers encountered on the road, in gardens, and along trails. Each image reveals the intricate personality of its subject—from fiery petals and dew-kissed leaves to the quiet geometry of desert blooms.

More than a botanical catalog, Botanica is a visual journal of discovery and presence. It reflects Mike Cressy’s eye for narrative detail and his commitment to capturing authenticity in the moment. Whether you're drawn to the artistry of nature or the craft of human-made creativity, this book offers a fresh, emotionally resonant perspective on the floral wonders that surround us.

Saturday Morning Doodle

 Ambidextrous Edition!

Saturday Morning Doodle: Ambidextrous Edition. This drawing was done with equal parts, left and right hands.

Getting to use my right hand more and more every week but still painful and limited.

For all of you who live with Geese in your hood or see them often, know that they are not only beautiful but are very powerful creatures that will not tolerate humans very well and are prolific shit machines. One has to be ware of every part of the park, grass, lawn, sidewalk so that you don't get their little gifts on your shoes and bring that into your car... house...etc.

Washing my shoes happens every day.

3 months of left hand drawings

 This last Thursday was 13 weeks, aka, 3 months since the rotator cuff surgery on my right shoulder. A milestone in the recovery but it is still a long road of painful movements and pushing that right arm.

During those 3 months I taught my left hand to draw. Posting here a cross section of all the drawings I did during that time.

Going forward, I will still be drawing with my left hand but occasionally will get an assist from my right hand to get it used to drawing again.

NEW Left Hand Drawings

Still working on some left handed drawings.

My surgeon said that this coming week I can start using my right hand again for creating art. It will be a slow start but it will be good to have a healthy rotator cuff again.