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
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
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 […]



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).