On our sketchcrawl at the Architectural Heritage Center I found someone to sketch who was guaranteed not to fidget or become embarrassed at my staring. She sat patiently while I studied her to my heart’s content. I’ve been working mostly in pen and ink and watercolor recently, but graphite is hard to beat for a […]
Ultrasound Portrait
This is the second page of a sketchbook I am making to give to my new little granddaughter when she gets older. It tells the story of her first couple of years from my perspective. (The first page is here.) I remember how amazing it was to see her for the first time via ultrasound. […]
Baby News
This is a sketch of a special gift I got last February–a fun way my daughter-in-law and son told me some very happy news! Our little granddaughter has arrived now, and I thought it would be fun to do a sketchbook devoted to her first couple of years. More sketches to come!

Making a Sketch Book
I finally got around to making my own sketchbooks, which I have been wanting to attempt for quite awhile now. The task seemed rather daunting so it took me awhile to work up the resolve to get started! Several weeks ago, I purchased my materials including two sheets of Fabriano Artistico hot press watercolor paper. […]
Hollywood Theater
This historic theater seems like a very glamorous but faded movie star who has fallen on hard times. I remember going there for the first time to see the futuristic movie, 2001, A Space Odyssey, in 1968. The interior was every bit as ornate as the exterior and I felt transported into a different world […]




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).