Drawing From Nature - 1B - RISD Extension

I hadn't taken a RISD Extension Class for about a year.  The last class I took was that drawing birds class that really wore me out.  But I thought this summer I would work back on my Certificate in Natural Science Illustration, especially because I want to be able to teach drawing.  I'd really like to do that drawing year in England.  Maybe I should have gotten a degree in drawing instead of Textile Design.

I was behind most of the class because it started on April 20th, and I didn't finish school until the 30th. My mom also got her Alzheimer's diagnosis on May 1st, which took a lot of energy.  She also fell down the stairs on the 30th.  So I just didn't really get started on the class until 3 weeks in.  That being said, I'm proud of what I did, and I got better as the class progressed and I relaxed.

This post usually has the reference on the left, and my drawing or painting is on the right.

This was the Week 6 assignment.  It's in ink wash.  I used Sumi Ink on cold-press paper.   Did it watching the French Open.

This was the Week 5 Assignment. It is indigo ink on Bristol.  I didn't like the ink or the paper.

This is my best drawing.  It's pencil.  The teacher liked these last 3 assignments a lot.  This is Week 4.

This is my master copy.  I really gained a lot of confidence from working with the ink on this assignment because I realized that, even though I have essential tremor, I can get the ink to do what I want if I slow down, relax, and stay really patient.  This is Week 4.

This is Week 3.  Didn't work out as well as I'd hoped.  It's pencil.

This is Week 2.

My teacher didn't really like this drawing.  I think it's better than she gave me credit for.  It's pencil.

I didn't get a good grade on this.  It's ink. This is Week 1.  I was late on it.

I didn't get a good grade on these either. These are ink.  These are Week 1,

 

SketchUp 4 Interiors

 I took a 6-week SketchUp for Interiors Class at RISD Extension, and it really kicked my ass.  I want to be better in SketchUp.  I think my main takeaway is that you need to make groups as much as possible.  I could take the exact same class again and learn just as much because there is so much there.

This is some earlier work

Watercolor Studies

 

Neglected Orchid - Thomas Jefferson

The Neglected Orchid (Dactylorhiza praetermissa) is a species of flowering plant in the Orchidaceae family. It is also called "Neglected Dactylorhiza", "Forgotten Dactylorhiza" or "Forgotten Orchis". This species can be found in wet meadows and dune slacks in northern Europe, from Sweden to Italy. In France, it is found in the North of the country, from Brittany to Alsace.

It is a robust perennial herbaceous plant that can reach 40 cm in height. Its flowers, ranging from pale pink to purplish-red, are arranged in a fairly dense spike. It blooms from June to July. It is recognizable by its spreading lip, which is only slightly lobed with lateral edges that curve slightly forward. Small colony of neglected orchids. The species is declining as a result of the decrease in the number and size of wetlands and unimproved grasslands. It is classified as NT: Near Threatened Species.

This collage is to introduce to the color, textures, and concept.

                                        

It is included on the lists of protected plants in the European Union, notably in the Netherlands, Belgium and the French regions of Champagne-Ardenne and Lorraine.

This is a collage of beautiful Robert Mapplethorpe of orchids.  I am looking at it for inspiration for shapes and postures for orchids that I will later draw and block print.

These are some drawings and block prints of orchids for inspiration.

This is an exploration of the color purple in the food,

This is fauna with purples in it - insects, birds, and fish.

This is a collage with images of neglected orchids and neglected women. 

Neglected (adjective)

Synonyms of neglected

: not given proper or necessary care or attention

neglected children

a neglected subject

a sadly neglected garden

• Women often express feeling neglected indirectly, through questions rather than statements.
• These questions are signals of unmet emotional needs, not accusations.
• Common themes include a need for reassurance, attention, and emotional presence.
• Questions often reflect fears of losing love, priority, or significance in the relationship.
• They point to a desire to feel seen, valued, and chosen.
• The underlying issue is usually emotional disconnection, not conflict itself.
• Responding with empathy and consistency can help repair closeness and trust.

 

Collages - Studio 1A - Thomas Jefferson

 

Making so many Concept Collages for Studio 1A at Jefferson.  I left UC Davis and I'm in school at Thomas Jefferson.

Looking at How the Professionals Do It - View Magazine

Looking at How the Professionals Do It - Selvedge Magazine

My Takeaways

Looking at the Book - Design by Nature

My Response

The Dangerous Old Woman Archetype - Photography Assignment

The Neglected Orchid - Preliminary Work for Artist Residency in  France