a section of the Camas Lily painting I have been working on this Camassia in fits and starts for quite awhile but finally feel that it is getting closer to where I want it to be. Here is a cropped piece of the work. As you can see, the anthers are not painted yet plus […]
Sketching (part 2)
July 29, 2013 by · 6 Comments
I think of sketching as a way to ‘keep in shape’ artistically. After all, drawing is a skill like playing an instrument–the more you do it the better you will be at it. Sketching might be compared to improvisational jazz, whereas botanical art is akin to classical music. Although they both have a rich history […]
Sketching (part 1)
July 22, 2013 by · 2 Comments
Since sketching is one of my favorite things to do, it seems strange that sometimes it is a struggle to make time for it. I have found that I have to be intentional in order to get myself to keep at it. Since I’ve heard others complain of the same struggle, I thought I would […]
A "Waiting" Sketchbook
June 26, 2013 by · 6 Comments
4″ x 6″ (11 x 15 cm) sketchbook I call the little sketchbook that I carry in my purse my ‘waiting sketchbook’. It’s for doctor’s office waiting rooms, for before the movie begins or the curtain rises, or even for gridlock traffic jams…or when I am a passenger on road trips. It is surprising how […]
Untangling Pigments
June 15, 2013 by · 2 Comments
Slogging through all of the information and often conflicting recommendations regarding pigments is of the most challenging aspects of learning watercolors. Some artists are convinced that transparent pigments are the only way to achieve bright, clear colors, while to others opaque or semi-opaque pigments are no hindrance at all to beautiful botanical paintings. Some recommend […]
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).