This was one of the most fun EDiM challenges yet. I have been wanting to sketch some worms for awhile now and here was my opportunity. I must confess that I am rather fond of my worms (there I said it). They do such an amazing job, along with the bacteria, fungi, protozoa and nematodes in my compost bin, of breaking down our kitchen scraps into wonderful rich brown compost. This hard working crew gets the job done, from fresh scraps to compost, in only about 2 weeks during spring, summer and autumn!
I try to deliver a steady supply of scraps in order to keep my worms well fed. When I spread the compost around the garden, hundreds of worms are in the mix, but there are always oodles of them left in the bin and they quickly replace the worms that have gone out into the world. I think of my compost as organized chaos because, well it looks like a mess, but in reality there is an amazingly complex system in play that is a well-designed, even elegant, organic machine.
While I was painting the worms, I realized why they look so creepy–they are flesh colored and have a fleshy texture too…and then there is the writhing…ugh! I used Myrna Wacknov’s recipe for flesh tones, New Gamboge, Permanent Rose and Windsor Blue, and it seemed to capture their transparent quality well. I must say that I like my worms at a distance in the compost bin doing their job, but I get creeped out if I think about them too much!
I am participating in a challenge, organized by the talented Liz Steel, to do a sketch from a list of topics every day in May. I am behind so am doubling up when I can–that may be cheating but at least I am sketching more than usual.
This blog is about my journey as a botanical artist--what I am learning, what inspires me and what I am currently drawing or painting. My desire is to continually hone my skills to better express my wonder and gratitude for the beauty of the creation around me in the Pacific Northwest (USA).
Excellent sketch and quite a useful idea. I’m thinking of doing the same thing in my garden ….. but what will happen to them if we go away for a few weeks ??
Martine, Thanks for your kind comment. My compost bin sits right on top of the soil and the worms came on their own when I started putting scraps in the bin, so if they get hungry I suppose they would go out in search of food. I like to keep them fat and happy at home so that’s why I keep a steady supply of scraps going. You could try to stock them up with food before you go. Actually I didn’t feed mine for several weeks because I couldn’t get to the bin due to a construction project, but there were still gobs of worms when I finally got back there. I never thought I would think of worms as pets but…here I am. 🙂
Oh ^^ What an interesting favorite too. My mom and sister have the same stuff in their gardens, seems like a trend to have composite piles these days
Lol – I find myself apologising to the worms when I weed in my veg beds and disturb them 🙂 They are fantastic creatures but I know what you mean about getting creeped out if you think about them too much!
@ Martine – We too have compost bins on top of the soil – it’s fine to leave your bins – and worms – untouched for a week or two or three – they are nature’s creatures and they survived without your compost – they will sort themselves out if you don’t add to it for a while.
Anyways – Janene I really like your sketch complete with worms, and I enjoyed your post too.
An
Worms are wonderful (as is your drawing) . I also drew a gardening tool for this challenge and I think there were a few others as well. It is very satisfactory to be gardening and find some lovely worms inthe soil !
Looks like a good, healthy compost and what a fun subject to draw!
I always loved worms! This is a great sketch. I always wanted to make a compost heap but don’t really know what to do with the compost. I have inches of mulch on my plants. Do you have to move all the mulch to put down the compost? that would take hours!
Thanks for your comments.
Revelle, I use compost as my mulch. My kitchen scraps don’t make enough for my whole garden so I buy compost by the cubic yard to spread around. My homemade compost is for an extra special treat for a few favorite plants, or for plants that need a boost. I suppose you could move the mulch (barkdust?) away from a few plants then spread the compost underneath and move the mulch back.
Great worms Janene, love the picture!
Debra–I am glad you like my worms! 🙂
Awesome sketch!!
What a FUN post and so well done!!! Love your blog!