Lovely artwork Deborah. Great how you narrate your work. Commenting on this post but it's the most recent post you did that I tripped upon first. Where do you display your art?
Beautiful post Deborah--loved your descriptions, thoughts and photos! Your tree drawings are so beautiful--I also love when their skeletal structure appears. The older trees always remind me of old souls--oh the stories they could tell!
I agree, being an artist is always a bit of a tug and pull. That little critical voice is never far away--I think that is why finding joy in the process is so important. Like you, I yearn to work outside in the midst of nature. There just can't be a replacement for that personal in the moment experience!
I see someone else recommended Robin Wall Kimmerer's book Gathering Moss---sounds like it might be an interesting read for you. Also, with regards to that voice of resistance---I love "The War of Art" by Steven Pressfield. I'm presently reading "The Creative Act: A Way of Being" by Rick Rubin...an interesting book about being a creative.
Thank you very much for reading it, I am so pleased you liked it. There is much to discover about these extraordinary plants and I am looking forward to it!
That is so heartening to hear, thank you. These days are so hard, and the news so distressing, and I am glad that my posts bring a little comfort. Thank you very much reading it.
Beatrix Potter comes to my mind when you asked about fungi and mosses. Illustrating fungi was a priority for her and you might enjoy “The Art of Beatrix Potter” (Emily Zach; 2016) for a wonderful collection of far more of her fungi works than I had previously seen.
Also, have you tried using a wet brush with yr charcoals? Might be a fun addition to yr outdoor sketching. A lightly wet brush, used later in yr process might be interesting?
Your work inspires me so much, Deborah! We have sunshine in Seattle this week (though freezing at night), so I am going to follow yr lead and get outside!
You won't be surprised to know that I love Beatrix Potter, especially her natural history drawings. I have been looking longongly at her book on fungi (very expensive!) but don't know this book so will now seek it out.
I have tried a wet brush, but will now! If I keep the brush fairly dry, it should dry quite quickly to draw over. I am very impatient!
Do get wrapped up and go out drawing, even if it is only for half an hour, I know you will love it!
This is a wonderful glimpse into your felt experiences both of being present in nature, and of capturing its forms. I have been beginning to write about such similar sentiments about the bare branches of trees this last week. I love the tiny fungi you have found and how delicate the structures are. When it's not quite so chilly I take my mat out to the garden to stretch and often realise as I am lying with my face so close to the ground how beautiful and detailed the moss in the grass is! I think you might like the beautiful storytelling and sense of place in the book 'Gathering Moss' by Robin Wall Kimmerer, as well as the line drawings of the details of what she describes. Although specific to moss it is written so sensitively and encourages just that closer inspection and presence which I know resonates with you and with me!
Thank you so much for reading it and am very glad you liked it - I was a bit nervous of this one! It is extraordianry what you see in woodland if you look and was amazed by what my camera picked up. I keep meaning to read Robin Wall Kimmerer, as I have heard such good things about her, and now I know she has also written on moss, then I must change that! Do go out on warmer days to look with your mat, you will have a lovely time!
I think a strong element of self criticism in inherent in being an artist and your daughter is certainly not alone! Helen Stephens ( on here as @pencilpals) once said that it is a good idea to put work in a "magic" drawer, if you are at all uncertain, and look at it a fresh in a few days. I confess it certainly helps you be more objective! Mary Oliver was just wonderful and she says things so simply and succinctly. Many thank for reading my piece and for subscribing, I greatly appreciate it.
This is beautiful: some really thought-provoking writing, sumptuous photography, and a new-to-me book recommendation. I enjoyed it very much. x
Thank you very much, you have made my day x
Lovely artwork Deborah. Great how you narrate your work. Commenting on this post but it's the most recent post you did that I tripped upon first. Where do you display your art?
My prints are currently on my website but hope to be adding new drawings there soon! Thank you very much for reading my post.
What's your url?
https://www.deborahvass.com/
Thank you!
Lovely post and photography. Best wishes to you.😍
Thank you very much for reading it!
Beautiful post Deborah--loved your descriptions, thoughts and photos! Your tree drawings are so beautiful--I also love when their skeletal structure appears. The older trees always remind me of old souls--oh the stories they could tell!
I agree, being an artist is always a bit of a tug and pull. That little critical voice is never far away--I think that is why finding joy in the process is so important. Like you, I yearn to work outside in the midst of nature. There just can't be a replacement for that personal in the moment experience!
I see someone else recommended Robin Wall Kimmerer's book Gathering Moss---sounds like it might be an interesting read for you. Also, with regards to that voice of resistance---I love "The War of Art" by Steven Pressfield. I'm presently reading "The Creative Act: A Way of Being" by Rick Rubin...an interesting book about being a creative.
Thanks for sharing Deborah! xx
Thank you so much for reading and I too wonder at what these old souls have witnessed in their long lives.
Thank you too for the book recommendations. I think both will be helpful and could certainly do with a contrary voice against resistance! Xx
My pleasure Deborah! The War of Art is an all time fav that I continue to return to . xx
I have it on order, thank you!xx
Awesome! Love to hear what you think of it. Enjoy!
Such a wonderful read Deborah, thank you. I too love the intricacies of lichen and moss.
Thank you very much for reading it, I am so pleased you liked it. There is much to discover about these extraordinary plants and I am looking forward to it!
I feel the air, I look at tetrees and I smell the moss Deborah,
I am consumed with the bad news these days so your posts are a soothing break to remind me of beautiful things. Beaudiful picures, as always!
That is so heartening to hear, thank you. These days are so hard, and the news so distressing, and I am glad that my posts bring a little comfort. Thank you very much reading it.
Beatrix Potter comes to my mind when you asked about fungi and mosses. Illustrating fungi was a priority for her and you might enjoy “The Art of Beatrix Potter” (Emily Zach; 2016) for a wonderful collection of far more of her fungi works than I had previously seen.
Also, have you tried using a wet brush with yr charcoals? Might be a fun addition to yr outdoor sketching. A lightly wet brush, used later in yr process might be interesting?
Your work inspires me so much, Deborah! We have sunshine in Seattle this week (though freezing at night), so I am going to follow yr lead and get outside!
Warmly, Lisa
You won't be surprised to know that I love Beatrix Potter, especially her natural history drawings. I have been looking longongly at her book on fungi (very expensive!) but don't know this book so will now seek it out.
I have tried a wet brush, but will now! If I keep the brush fairly dry, it should dry quite quickly to draw over. I am very impatient!
Do get wrapped up and go out drawing, even if it is only for half an hour, I know you will love it!
Deborah x
This is a wonderful glimpse into your felt experiences both of being present in nature, and of capturing its forms. I have been beginning to write about such similar sentiments about the bare branches of trees this last week. I love the tiny fungi you have found and how delicate the structures are. When it's not quite so chilly I take my mat out to the garden to stretch and often realise as I am lying with my face so close to the ground how beautiful and detailed the moss in the grass is! I think you might like the beautiful storytelling and sense of place in the book 'Gathering Moss' by Robin Wall Kimmerer, as well as the line drawings of the details of what she describes. Although specific to moss it is written so sensitively and encourages just that closer inspection and presence which I know resonates with you and with me!
Thank you so much for reading it and am very glad you liked it - I was a bit nervous of this one! It is extraordianry what you see in woodland if you look and was amazed by what my camera picked up. I keep meaning to read Robin Wall Kimmerer, as I have heard such good things about her, and now I know she has also written on moss, then I must change that! Do go out on warmer days to look with your mat, you will have a lovely time!
Ah - I haven’t seen her book on fungi - will look for it. I share yr impatience :)
Will send this afternoon’s work :)
I think a strong element of self criticism in inherent in being an artist and your daughter is certainly not alone! Helen Stephens ( on here as @pencilpals) once said that it is a good idea to put work in a "magic" drawer, if you are at all uncertain, and look at it a fresh in a few days. I confess it certainly helps you be more objective! Mary Oliver was just wonderful and she says things so simply and succinctly. Many thank for reading my piece and for subscribing, I greatly appreciate it.