Friday, April 8, 2011

What's in My Sketchbook?

Growing up as a city girl, I never develop a passion to gardening.  The few times that I owned a plant, I either over-watered it or let it all dried up.  It's only fair to say that I'm a typical plant killer.

Though I had promised myself I'll never keep a plant again (not eve a cactus, well especially a cactus, it was my 1st kill!), the creative need propels me to face my fear. ;)

I bought a small pot of Hens and Chicks (Echeveria Elegans) a week ago to draw / paint.  Here is a sketch of the Hen's "feather" together with one of my all time favorite drawing objects - rocks.


20110402 Stone Lotus and Rocks

20110402 Stone Lotus and Rocks CU 3

20110402 Stone Lotus and Rocks CU 4

20110402 Stone Lotus and Rocks CU 2

20110403 Stone Lotus

Now that I've broken my promise, I'm hoping that the hardiness of the succulents would help it to survive under my care.  (May the force be with it!)

The sketch is also for Paint Party Friday (hosted by Eva and Kristin).  All are welcomed!  Do join in to share and support each other!

Cheers and have a wonderful weekend!

BTW, I've re-named the plant "Stone Lotus" as it suits the look of it more.  (Crap!  I think I just made myself the biggest dork in this part of the world! Hahaha!)

42 comments:

Rosie Kaplan said...

Lovely work. I wish I could draw!

Tammie Lee said...

I love your art, a lovely and refreshing style.
I think you will do well with succulents. I love them. They are not ouchy like cactus. They are lovely like mandalas. The main thing is to not over water them. Let them get a little bit dry, then water them..... wishing you and your new plant friend the best!

GlorV1 said...

Great sketches of the succulents. I love those plants. I have tons in my cactus garden out in back. You've done a great job. Yay! Happy PPF!

Pam Tucker said...

I love your sketches/painting of the succulents. You've captured the colors perfectly. Gorgeous work! I'm afraid I'm no help in the gardening area. I've killed more plants than I care to admit. I think you'll do fine with this one! :)

WrightStuff said...

Both your sketch and composition are just wonderful. Look after that plant now!

Leone said...

I love your sketches, you are really getting into the art sketchbook. I am still thinking about taking Alisa's course. Thank you for your response to my questions on my blog. Nice to see you back again. I need to be more consistent with my blogging.

Cameron said...

I am soooo proud of you Jamie! The ease and manner of your drawing (including your subject matter) suggest a level of comfort settling in. I take the welcoming of the plant into your life as a sign of renewed belief in possibilities!! This drawing practice has awakened that part of you, I like to think :)

Draw on, Pen weilding Pixie Punk Princess....now who's making a dork of oneself...haha!

Šolanje na domu-Waldorf said...

Love these sections you made. Amazing drawings!

Virtual Boy said...

Beautiful work, love the layout of this and the awesome shading!

Anonymous said...

As a fellow plant killer i can totally empathise! This is a lovely plant and really wonderful sketches. I love the arrangement of small sketeches with script bordering them and the colour palette is sublime!

Yvonne said...

Two of my favorite things, plants and rocks. LOL You did a lovely job on both. good luck with keeping your plant alive. I love how you did several sketches on one sheet and love the color palette. Happy PPF.

Deanna said...

Love your sketchbook! You did a great job with both the plant and the rocks. I kill most indoor plants also. I'm great in the garden, but anything indoors doesn't stand a chance with me!

Abela said...

You worked hard .... good for you. Greetings

SHERI COOK said...

I love peeking into your sketchbooks again. Wonderful images both photo and drawings. Thank you for sharing them. happy PPF!

Marlene said...

I too am a plant killer. I do love hens and chickens and you did them justice with your painting. Love the way you did your rocks.

Netty said...

So love your sketchbook, terrific shapes and colours. Have a lovely weekend, Annette x

Unknown said...

I LOVE your sketchbook work- it's so beautiful to look at. Your lines and colors are always so simply pure and true to form and then when you add words; the magic is complete.
Happy PPF,
Stephanie

Holly said...

I have to say, Biggest Dork of this part of the world, I love the name stone lotus! It's way good.

And, I refuse to tell you how much I envy your talent because everyone else already has...refuse I tell ya!

Crystal said...

I love your sketches! As a fellow plant killer I think you have picked a good one to possibly survive! :-)

Ileana said...

The colors and shading are perfect! You made these objects come alive on paper. I love it!!

Toni said...

There you go being all talented again and making me wish I could water color like that! Great colors. So pretty. Even the rocks are pretty to me!

Christine said...

nice work! and I heard hens and chicks are very hardy!

Kristin Dudish said...

Ha! I can so relate to this post - the only plants I can keep are the ones in my sketchbook!

Your drawings are great and your use of watercolors is wonderful :)

xo
Kristin

Victoria said...

Wow..so gorgeous! I love love hens and chicks..they are magical..your art is so full of life and excudes energy...i love that! Beautiful! Shine on!
Victoria~

Melisa said...

These are great for sketching and painting. They must thrive on neglect because I had a HUGE one but my husband left it at our old house when we moved. He was supposed to pick it up on the last run, which he made without me. Grrr!

Anne Butera said...

Your sketchbook is lovely! Hens and chicks are such pretty plants (great shape and color). Good luck with growing it!

lenoracle said...

That plant is so interesting. Also love the watercolors, so light and airy!

Theresa said...

Your sketch book pages are amazing! Lovely. Happy PPF! Theresa

K. said...

Really nice style - you're very good at the rocks! I think the writing adds a lot too - very interesting handwriting.
~Kerry

Unknown said...

Beautiful drawings, so delicate. I am a big fan of the echeveria - love your last photo very much. Happy weekend, Ev

ger chouinard said...

LOVE the sketch book (and have always been a hens & chicken lover) ... I could frame the the hens and chicken page ... very, very nice!

gma said...

Beautiful things are in your sketchbook!

gatheringwonder said...

fabulous post

angelself said...

Beautiful sketches, beautiful photos, beautiful plant. I will pray for it, lol! Kathryn

Carrie Martinez said...

I absolutely love the way you lay out your works...this one with frames and text--excellent composition to frame some really nice drawings. The force is with you...keep the plant alive! :)
Happy weekend!

Valerie-Jael said...

Great sketches, and I love how you have used the writing as an element of your picture, I like to do this, too. Thanks for visiting my blog! Hugs from Germany, Valerie

Kat W said...

Your sketches are wonderful. I love the way you present them so creatively on your sketch book pages.

I like the name 'Stone Lotus'!

Kat X

Annabelle said...

Your sketches are wonderful!

And yes, Stones are captivating and I luv the name.

Good luck with the rose beauty, should be a good specimen for survival.

Annabelle ~^..^~

Lynn Stevens said...

Stone Lotus- A perfect name for your beautiful sketch and new found friend. May she be with you for many years to come.
Love your composition !

Cynthia Schelzig said...

FABULOUS work!!! I was laughing sooooo hard at your post...as I call my husband a "plant killer"..his mission in life is to overwater everything he can and your comments had me rolling:):) When we visit friends I see him "eyeing" up thier plants and I tell them...keep the plant killer away from your plants...it is a family joke. I didn´t know there were more of you out there:) I LOVE your blog!! I am so glad you left me a comment.

learn oil painting said...

I like your blog!...Daniel

Her Speak said...

Eeee! These are great! I too am a black-widow of house plants. Haha!

Thank you for sharing!
Much Joy~*
Molly