Sketching helps me be more aware of not only the natural world, but of the urban scenes that surround me every day. For some reason, when I sketch something, I am forever bonded to it. I find that worries drop away as I forget everything but the scene or plant in front of me. Besides […]
Sketchbook–Quince Fruit
September 30, 2016 by · 6 Comments
We have an old gnarled Quince tree (Cydonia oblonga) in our garden that produces an abundant crop of fruit each year. We propped up the main branches recently lest they become so bowed down with fruit that the tree finally topples over. Quince trees have been in cultivation for millennia, in fact as a Greek […]
Sketching (part 2)
July 29, 2013 by · 6 Comments
I think of sketching as a way to ‘keep in shape’ artistically. After all, drawing is a skill like playing an instrument–the more you do it the better you will be at it. Sketching might be compared to improvisational jazz, whereas botanical art is akin to classical music. Although they both have a rich history […]
A View into Esther Short Park
March 1, 2011 by · 14 Comments
This is the view from the coffee shop where we sat drinking coffee, reading and sketching on Sunday afternoon. What a luxury to be warm and dry, yet have such a lovely view into the park. This coffee shop has to become a regular! This is done with my Lami Safari pen loaded with Noodler’s […]
Figure Drawing
January 18, 2011 by · 5 Comments
I spent the evening at The Canvas, an art bar in NW Portland, with my sketching buddies yesterday. The bar provides a clothed model for about 2 and a half hours, in several timed poses. We had a great time sketching, sipping wine, and snacking. This is the best of my timed sketches–as for 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).