The Spring Rush

The Spring Rush

When you love native plants like I do, spring is hard…in a good way! It seems that everything blooms at once, and when you choose one plant to focus on, that means the rest must wait for another year. In order to crowd more plants into my spring agenda, I decided to make some quick […]

Don’t Stagnate…Rejuvenate!

Don’t Stagnate…Rejuvenate!

I’ve been catching up on responsibilities…and playing…after the intensity of preparing and submitting my six paintings to the Society of Botanical Artists Exhibition in London. I’ve posted all of them on my blog over the past year, but if you want to see them all together, they are on my botanical art facebook page here. […]

Douglas Fir Cone on Vellum

Douglas Fir Cone on Vellum

It’s nice to paint something that will sit still for a change. I didn’t know how much flowers and leaves move around until I started on my first botanical drawings. I would draw as accurately as I could for awhile, then take a short break and lo and behold, when I came back my drawing […]

Douglas Fir Cone

Douglas Fir Cone

Douglas Fir trees have formed the backdrop of much of my life. Just look at snapshots of the houses I’ve lived in, schools I’ve attended and places I’ve gone hiking and camping, and there you will likely see a Douglas Fir somewhere in the distance. I’ve mostly taken them for granted until recently when I […]

Garry Oak or Oregon White Oak

Garry Oak or Oregon White Oak

Massive branches zigzagging upward, leathery dark green leaves, and craggy gray bark characterize the impressive Garry Oak tree, which is native to the Pacific Northwest where I live. It’s acorns remind me of tiny heads with knit caps pulled down snugly over the ears. A friend pointed out that they are the perfect size for […]