I spent three weekends doing a field study of the Catherine Creek area of the Columbia River Gorge, and these are the four wildflowers and one grass that I chose to represent this beautiful area. Of course, this is just a very small sampling of the many wildflowers that can be found there. The graphite […]
Field Study: Manroot and Coronaria, SBA Sketchbook
June 22, 2012 by · 7 Comments
I was looking for a comfortable spot to sketch, so was happy to see this vine with its interesting gourd nestled under a tree where I could sit protected from the mid-day sun and strong winds. This is part of a field study I am doing of the habitat of Catherine Creek in the Columbia […]
Field Study: Balsam Root and Saskatoon, SBA Sketchbook
June 13, 2012 by · 10 Comments
I was taken with these thick leaves with their graceful undulating edges–I loved how massive they looked in comparison with the fine grasses surrounding the plant. I settled down on the ground in the meadow at Catherine Creek in the Columbia Gorge to do the drawing, but added the color later in my studio. Amelanchier […]
Rice-grain Fritillary, SBA Assignment 9
May 23, 2012 by · 11 Comments
Fritillaria affinis grows in open woods, meadows and on bluffs here in the Pacific Northwest. I think their nodding bells are quite charming, especially combined with the whorled leaves that make them look like they are going to start twirling around at any minute. This is Assignment 9 in the SBA course I am taking, […]
Stippling Again, SBA Sketchbook
March 23, 2012 by · 6 Comments
Stippling is a time consuming technique for shading but strangely enough, I find that there is something soothing about making all of those tiny dots! I’ve been practicing some of the techniques I have learned while taking the Society of Botanical Artists course so that is why I am stippling once again, which was part […]
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).