Insects…the good, the bad and the ugly…they are all around us. Few of us stop to think that without them we would all perish because if we had no pollinators we would eventually have no food, not to mention all of the other myriad things that they contribute to the ecosystem. Now I must admit […]
Painting on Vellum
July 23, 2015 by · 11 Comments
After preparing my piece of Kelmscott vellum, the next step is to transfer my completed drawing to the vellum. When I was starting out on vellum, I learned much from other artists who shared their techniques. Here are some articles and posts that I’ve found particularly helpful:Kate Nessler’s article from the ASBA journal, The Botanical […]
The Awkward Stage
April 24, 2015 by · 4 Comments
My paintings always seem to go through an awkward stage…sort of like adolescence. At this stage, things are not in balance yet, the painting’s full character has not yet been revealed. Will it fulfill the dreams I had for it or does the path I’ve set it on lead to disaster…? Only time will tell. […]
Visit to Filoli 2015
April 3, 2015 by · 2 Comments
“Fight for a just cause, love your fellow man, live a good life”–this is not only the motto of Filoli but where it got its name, taken from the first letters of this oft repeated saying of its founder, WB Bourn II. I think it is pretty good advice. I thought I would give you […]
How to Get Rich Color Quickly Workshop
February 18, 2015 by · 9 Comments
On a typically drizzly, bleak Oregon winter day, we sat in a warm, comfortable studio and painted brightly colored, exotic orchids under the tutelage of Heeyoung Kim. She had asked us each to create a drawing before the workshop of a deep pink or purple orchid with relatively few markings or a similar blossom. We […]
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).