Licorice Fern, Polypodium glycyrrhiza, forms a soft muff on the branches of trees in winter here in the Pacific Northwest. The wiry roots cause the rhizomes to cling to rocks and tree branches, usually under a soft coating of moss. In the winter when the trees are bare and colors are bleak, the green fluffy […]
Cornus capitata Fruit, SBA Assignment 7
February 1, 2012 by · 10 Comments
This strange fruit brightened up the dreary winter day as I walked through my neighborhood and spied it on a small tree. Who can resist the cheery red fruit with the bright evergreen leaves? In photos I have seen, the Cornus capitata fruits seem to vary a lot as far as the bumpiness of the […]
The Road Map, SBA Assignment 7
January 20, 2012 by · 18 Comments
I find it helpful, even essential, to make a road map of where I am going with a botanical painting. This is where I try out my composition ideas and do a tonal study. Here I can freely erase and rearrange without the fear of damaging the delicate surface of my watercolor paper. Once I […]
Clematis ‘Aureolin’, SBA Assignment 5
October 10, 2011 by · 13 Comments
Golden Clematis is one of my favorite vines so I was pleased to see that it had so many blossoms during September and October while I was working on this assignment, the fifth in the SBA course I am taking. I spent more time on composition and a tonal study than I did on the […]
Blossoms of PNW Natives, SBA Assignment 4
August 16, 2011 by · 8 Comments
This is my fourth assignment in the Society of Botanical Art course that I am taking. We were supposed to depict blossoms of different shapes, colors and sizes (all life-size). The perspective should accurately describe the construction of the blossom, ie having a throat or a cup-shape. I chose to feature plants that are native […]
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).