IN AUGUST I ENROLLED in a botanical drawing class at Gage Academy with Kathleen McKeehen for five three hour sessions. Since I have an abiding interest in things botanical, it seemed the right time to give this art form a try. I have spent quite a bit of time drawing the last month.

Scientific drawing. A whole new concept for me, requiring a lot of patience and intense observation, slow and exacting. All of these drawings are actual size.

I never thought I would have the patience to accomplish something like this. Just a few HB pencils and tools for measuring are all I need to produce some beautiful drawings. After the completion of the August classes I enrolled in Kathleen’s class for fall quarter (10 weeks!). With each successive drawing the task becomes a little easier and faster. The artichoke took one class session to complete the line drawing (amazing!) but many, many hours to finish the drawing and bring it to life.

 

Learning is about challenging and shaping ideas, discipline and patience, creating new references to inform our views of daily life and just maybe, the world around us.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Who knew roots had such beauty? This is the third drawing I have completed (and at least three more to finish) and it took the least amount of time; line drawing in class last Friday and finished yesterday. Several hours since then, but not as many as the dahlia or artichoke.

Joy in the sense of accomplishment, learning a new skill, creating something beautiful.