The Herb Garden

This past spring I spent an enjoyable couple months working on a project for Mary from TheWhiteCottageCo.  The design she had envisioned was a pillow with 3 herb plants in a row as well as smaller pillows illustrated with each individual herb.  It was so much fun working on this with her. She was so nice to work with.  They turned out great!  It's so gratifying to see my drawings made into something that people can use and enjoy everyday. (You can see the pillows HERE if you like...as well as many other lovely things Mary  has in her shop.)

Another reason I enjoyed this so much is because herbs are one of my favorite things.  From growing them in the herb garden behind our house~

to preserving them by drying, freezing or in herb vinegars and, of course, using them in tasty recipes.  I have many books I go to for inspiration, with well-worn covers torn and pages stained by ingredients used in the herbal recipes within.  Two of my favorites are The Pleasure of Herbs by Phyllis Shaudys and my favorite from the very beginning, Herbs Through the Seasons at Caprilands by Adelma Simmons. 

So, this all got me thinking.  Why don't I do something a little different and combine my love of art, gardening, cooking and herbs and feature each of the plants I had drawn in the next 3 articles? I am by no means an "expert", I just would like to share a little about my drawing process as well as some info on how I grow, preserve and cook with these wonders of nature that give us so much pleasure. 

I hope you will enjoy! 

 

 

Art spaces

Welcome to my studio! This week I thought I'd show you my current art making space and write a little about making time in the day for art.

During the winter and early spring I often move from my larger basement studio to this room upstairs. It's warmer, brighter and just more cozy. It's not elaborate but I have everything I need on this 5 foot folding table along the wall of my daughter's former bedroom. 

But a special room isn't always necessary for the practice that's so valuable in the in-between time. I have been taking a few pencils and sketchbook along with my portable drawing board to sketch while sitting on the living room couch in the evenings. 

No matter where I make art it becomes my "happy place" and I wonder sometimes why I sometimes find it so hard to go there. Maybe it's the fear of starting? Maybe it's the pile of laundry or dishes in the sink that need my immediate attention (or, so I think). But will 15 minutes away from the chores of the day really make that much difference? I think not.

So, I think it's just a matter of scheduling in a bit of sketching every day to achieve my goal of steady improvement in the art I make. 

And here's what's on the drawing board today. Working on color notes and sketches before all the flowers fade. More on that later ~