Columbia River Gorge Wildflowers, Assignment 10

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 […]

Rice-grain Fritillary, SBA Assignment 9

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, […]

EDiM # 8 A Piece of Jewelry

This agate necklace was made for my grandma by her uncle, I guess that makes him my great-great uncle.  The necklace itself it not terribly valuable but I do like it and enjoy thinking of my grandma when I wear it.  I have a photo of her as a young woman wearing it and a […]