February Trees

Late February, New England. Tree trunks and branches might be the only color in the landscape.

The verse, "Behold, I make all things new" is Revelations 21:5.

Woman with Shawl

She is holding a shawl. That's all I know about her.

Rose Hips

New England rose hips in the fall with the rose leaves changing color. I'm not sure why I drew the leaves as single leaves and not as leaflets.

This is one of my few drawings that has no ink or pencil lines, just marker for everything.

Paper: ecru Crane's card approx. 4x6"

Bad Marker Example

This is what I mean by Bad Markers. Blotchy, bleedy, smeary, muddy, streaky colors. And the caps were hard to get on and off. It was very frustrating for me to work with them. At least in my memory, they smelled bad, too. I like the shapes in this drawing, but the coloring spoiled it for me. See Bad Marker Disclaimer.

As a result, I pretty much stopped drawing for 23 years. Then in 2008, I was introduced to Copic markers, and I started drawing again.

Bird in Bright Colors

This bird was colored with Pentel fine tip markers (water based). The notched oval shapes are tracings around a beautiful Norwegian silver necklace, shown at right, a gift from my sister-in-law.

The background was done with some Bad Markers, and thankfully I have repressed the brand name. It just looked ugly to me - streaky and blotchy. Then, more than 20 years later, I used my Copic markers in similar colors to go back over the background. Now, I'm happy to say, it looks smooth and even. See Bad Marker Disclaimer.

Ribbon Abstract 1985

Ribbons drawn with Pentel fine point markers.

Paper: unknown drawing paper, lightly textured

Landscape with Seated Person

Glass Jewelry Box

Someone made this leaded-glass jewelry box for me. Pale golden glass, with a clear beveled diamond shape in the lid. I drew it in pencil on cheap thin typing paper and colored it with colored pencils.

I still have the jewelry, including the beaded necklace and earrings (below) and the pin with blue stones. But the box fell apart after years of use.

Linoleum Print Tree

One time I bought a small linoleum carving kit, with tools, brayer, ink, and a linoleum block. This was my only output. Not my medium, but I do like this tree.

Stamped on textured gray paper. The image is about 1.5 x 1.5 inches.

Iris Bouquet 1

This was a line drawing - Pilot Razor Point pen. Flowers from my garden. 25 years later, I made a copy and colored it. But I still have the original (not colored).

Bookplate - Landscape with Stars and Trees

My mom was learning calligraphy, and she wanted to make a bookplate. She asked me to draw something for it. This is what we used for the drawing. She wrote the "Ex Libris." I have 2 bookplates left.

This was our only joint art work, but we often worked on the same sewing or knitting project. She liked hemming, I liked sewing buttons on. Our knitting gauge was the same. We were a good team. I miss her.

To try this, click here.

Abstract Landscape in Yellow, Blue and Gray

Drawn with brown Pilot Razor Point pen on Crane's note paper.

Grape Ivy on Tan Card

My first grape ivy drawing - this is grape ivy plant #2, a cutting from the original 1970 plant. In 2008, I drew my second grape ivy drawing, which was plant #3.

Drawn with brown Pilot Razor Point pen. I really like the colors and lines in this drawing.

Paper: tan Crane's card approx. 4x6"

The Beauty at the Center

My friend Norma, now passed away, told me that she had a dream in which she saw "the beauty at the center of the universe." I don't know what it looked like to her; she really couldn't describe it, except for the feeling of beauty, joy and love. I believe she is there now.

Soon after hearing about her dream, I drew my interpretation for her and gave her the original drawing. I wrote on the back of it "The Beauty at the Center is Love." This is a rough copy that I made for myself.

Blue and Gold Pin

Drawn with blue Pilot Razor Point pen.

In real life, the pin (see below) is about 3 inches long, an old piece of junk jewelry from my Mom's jewelry box. Its gold looks like cheap gold paint, not even shiny, and its stones look like something grown from a home science kit. But an interesting shape to draw. The light blue section in the drawing is actually gold colored in the pin.

What I don't like in this drawing is the pink stripe. It needs to be a different shape, different color, or both. Sometime I will draw another version. The pin can also be seen in my glass jewelry box drawing.

Paper: white Crane's card approx. 4x6"

Shell 2

A simplified drawing with bright patches of color. Same subject as Shell 1.

Yellow Abstract with Dark Greens and Red

This drawing really appeals to me. The lines and dots seem like just enough.

Lady Slipper Orchid

Several kinds of Lady Slipper Orchids grow wild in the eastern and midwestern U.S. My drawing is exaggerated, but not by much. August is past their blooming season, so this was not drawn from life.

Iris Flower Card

I drew this iris from my garden on 3.5 x 5 Crane ecru note paper, with blue Pilot Razor Point pen. I created several like this to give to friends.

Narcissus Flower

Pencil with a touch of color.