I recently spent a week in what is locally called “the Wallowas”, a pristine mountainous region in the uppermost northeast corner of Oregon far from any population centers, traffic and noise. Because of the high elevation, wildflowers peak in mid-summer when the weather is sunny and mild rather than during our rainy, cold spring here […]
The Primaries: Oregon Grape
June 2, 2018 by · 2 Comments
Pigments Used For those of you who are interested, the pigments I used were primary colors as well. I added a few dabs of other pigments here and there but the basics were my brightest yellows for the blossoms, Hansa Yellow Medium, Winsor Yellow, Winsor Lemon with Gamboge for the shadows. The leaves were Hansa […]
Sketchbook Exchange–Accordion Style
April 12, 2018 by · 12 Comments
Sketchbook exchanges can be a source of inspiration, encouragement and sharing ideas, in other words, building artistic community. At least that is the experience of a group I belong to, Oregon Botanical Artists, an Artists Circle under the auspices of the American Society of Botanical Artists. We are on our third sketchbook exchange, and […]
A Wild Rose, Rosa nutkana
August 8, 2017 by · 12 Comments
Something catches your eye and you just have to take your chances with it…that’s how it was on a bleak winter day when I was walking across a field of dried grasses. The dense cloud cover made everything look even greyer than it would have otherwise appeared. But I noticed something glowing red in the […]
Bristly-stemmed Checker Mallow
May 7, 2017 by · 14 Comments
The hike along Cascade Head is one of the most spectacular on the Oregon coast. If you can tear your eyes away from the distant views of rugged coastline and crashing waves to look down at your feet, you will see an beautiful array of wildflowers blooming in the windswept meadows in spring. The conditions […]
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).