I discovered some fine sketchbooks made by a company in, not Germany, but England. They're Seawhite of Brighton and I'd bought a book of theirs at Sennelier in Paris in November. (Is that enough prepositions for you? I can always add more ;D.)
Unfortunately, though the books are very reasonably priced, shipping charges with the dratted weak dollar are not. So I only ordered one accordion book and one A4 spiral bound book. The paper takes watercolor washes without buckling and the accordion book has its very own, handsome slipcase. I inaugurated my new book and my new, more slender-nibbed bamboo pen with this sketch of shrimp from our coast. The format of the book seemed to encourage the scattering of these calligraphic shapes, and of course, the bamboo pens added to the final effect.
Once on the quasi-Asian trail, I made this sketch for my 101 Faces project (see gallery at left.) I have not used this particular technique in a while and I'd forgotten how fun it is.
And, finally, a sketch from Weathervane cafe that has nothing to do with my bi-cultural theme. A word to the wise: if you don't want to know what the servers in a restaurant think of each other and the customers, or what the cooks think of life in general, don't sit next to the kitchen. 
It would be awesome to have those shrimp from "East meets West" on my wall. I just found you and I love your work.
Posted by: Melanie | October 29, 2010 at 03:58 PM
The shrimps have Laureline written all over them with your sure touch and lovely colours. And I love the kitchen scene..can hear the bustle(and the language!!)
ronell
Posted by: Africantapestry | January 29, 2008 at 10:02 AM
Thank you so much for your comment about my pears. I wanted to come here and tell you that I feel exactly the same way about your work! Those latest fish for instance - so rich and vibrant and loose, the exact opposite of my pears - but I love them SOO much. I'm commenting on this post instead of the fish tho because I think you'll get a giggle when you hear I just finished a sketch of some shrimp - and they look nothing like yours! lol
Posted by: juj | January 25, 2008 at 07:56 PM
Oh, you wonderful people, you! OK, Linda--I started "Kitchen Confidential" a while back, but didn't finish it. TMI, if you get my drift. And I waited tables in graduate school, so I'm very sympathetic with all restaurant staff! Just better not to be too close to their conversations while dining ;D. Anna, I've extolled the virtues of Schmincke ad nauseum, but I do agree that a direct comparison post would be fun and in order, so I'll add it to my list. Thanks for the suggestion! Tara, I emailed you about the sketchbooks. Merci, ma belle! Dee, I've only used the accordion one, which I LOVE, because it has a built-in structure for a storyline. Yay! Susan, he IS cute! Robyn, the online art supply companies use the terms 'reed pen' and 'bamboo pen' interchangeably. I think it's easy to make your own reed pen, though. The next time I'm around a reed, I'll be sure and purloin one. I ordered the thinnish bamboo pens from Wet Paint, here in the US. Thank you, thank you, my other buddies, for all the nice things you said.
Posted by: Laura | January 25, 2008 at 12:02 PM
i love hearing about your new finds in art supplies. Nice shrimp sketch too! How do you like the spiral sketchbook?
Posted by: df | January 23, 2008 at 04:16 PM
I think I have a crush on Blue Shawn
Posted by: susangalique | January 23, 2008 at 10:37 AM