Nature Journaling Revisited

At the beginning of 2017 I had started a nature journal project. I started out with gusto for the first few months. It was winter, a slow time for a gardener and botanical artist. But as the months went by, my entries began to slow down too --until it came to an abrupt stop when summer rolled around. 

Rather than be discouraged, I reminded myself that there was no deadline. The only pressure that came would be coming from me. So, rather than keeping to a rigorous schedule I would just work on it when I felt like it and, yes, enjoy the process. 

So here is April, the newest page, terribly behind but finished at last!

An Article for Colored Pencil Magazine

A couple months ago I was asked to write an article for the August issue of Colored Pencil Magazine. It was such a surprise as well as an honor to be included in a publication that is just brimming with beautiful art and information for the colored pencil artist and lovers of the art.

Gerbera Daisy, step - by - step

Gerbera daisy

Colored pencil - Polychromos and Prismacolor

From flower - 

to sketches - 

adding color, layer by layer - 

to finished drawing -

January Journal Entries ~

Flowers on the windowsill ~ Birds at the feeders

In Edith Holden's nature diary she included poetry and other writings. Robert Frost's Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening has always been a favorite of mine. The fox sparrow in the corner was inspired by a flock I had seen at the edge of our woods on a foggy afternoon. My first time spotting these little cuties. 

The Journal Project Begins~

Toward the end of 2016 the gallery owner where I show my work shared a book with an artist friend and I. It was a copy of The Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady.  The author and artist of the book, Edith Holden, kept a diary of the year 1906. She included nature notes, poetry, personal thoughts and beautiful paintings of the natural world around her. Well, both my friend and I were inspired and each of us went home to order copies of our own.We had decided to take on the challenge of creating our own Nature diaries. 

My hope is that this project will keep me drawing more frequently and provide a place to explore new subjects. Also, with a new grandson in the family, I'm thinking of leaving something from "Gramma" to future generations that might encourage an appreciation for the natural world around them. 

So, we begin. I plan on posting the process along the way with selected entries. Hoping to finish well in December! And I hope you will enjoy it too. 

Botanical Note Cards

Note cards now available at Twigs and Petals on Etsy!

Lily of the valley ~ Convallaria majalis

Many of the flowers we have in the garden began in the gardens of friends and family. The lilies of the valley that a friend gave us 30 years ago has spread from a few plants to a large colony that has covered the flower bed on the north side of our home. The simple creamy white blossoms with the wonderful scent make a lovely floral carpet beneath the ferns and bleeding hearts each spring.

This botanical portrait was done in colored pencil on an 11" x 14" sheet of Fabriano Artistico hot pressed watercolor paper.