Over the past 10 years, my blog has gone through three phases, reflecting my artistic endeavors at the time. I wanted to share some of what I learned in each phase. Blogging has helped motivate me, solidify my thoughts and hopefully along the way, I’ve been able to share some things that have been of […]
Instant Improvement: Critique and Correction Workshop
February 11, 2015 by · 11 Comments
A group I belong to, Oregon Botanical Artists, was fortunate to have the skilled artist and gracious teacher, Heeyoung Kim, for a 3-day workshop. If you are not familiar with her work, she paints gorgeously delicate depictions of plants native to the increasingly rare prairies of Illinois, where she lives. She teaches at the Brushwood Center […]
Grades of Graphite
September 6, 2014 by · 10 Comments
Using only one grade of pencil in a drawing is akin to using only one color when painting. You can create a beautiful piece with one grade but it is easier to get results, and more fun besides, with a spectrum of grades. I stick to one grade for sketching, but for a botanical study…when […]
Out of the Closet
May 15, 2014 by · 14 Comments
Not many people know that I was a closet artist for many years. Since childhood, one of my favorite pastimes has been drawing and as an adult I often turned to it as a way to relax, renew and comfort myself, particularly when I felt overwhelmed by the bustle of life. I saw it as […]
Garry Oak & Vellum
November 22, 2013 by · 14 Comments
I became enamored with the idea of painting on vellum while researching the history of botanical art for an essay I was assigned to write when I was about halfway through the SBA course, in 2011. I had noticed that many of the most stunning contemporary works were on vellum, but wasn’t aware of the […]
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).