A little while back I stumbled upon botanical art. I really liked the idea of drawing flowers, not just drawing them but making something that truly looked like the specimen in question. The scientific illustration aspect of botanical art is what really appealed to me. After a quick google search I found the Filoli Historic House and Garden, a site owned by The National Trust for Historic Preservation, which offered short (1-4 day) classes on various botanical art topics. I have never had an art class, other than modern art appreciation in undergrad, and have never really attempted anything greater than a Care Bear coloring book. So, having nothing to lose (other than a nice chunk of change and time, both of which I really didn’t have) I signed up for a two-day Introduction to Botanical Art.
At the end of the two days I left with a colored pencil drawing of a pear and an irrevocable new love. There is just something about sitting there, your entire mind focused on having your hand capture what your eye was seeing, that soothed me. I stopped worrying about whatever I was worrying about or the things on my never ending to do list. It was better than Netflix. But it was also more than that. I felt connected … that sounds cheesy. But I felt like nothing in the world existed except me and my pear, which I admit I promptly ate in the car on my way home. Illustration is hard work!
I then signed up for the class Color Pencil Fruit from the Orchard where I did an apple (which I also ate on the way home). My career as a scientist (which at times can seem like two full time jobs – grant writing and research) gets in the way of me really pursuing this passion. However, I recently was able to sneak in a two-week Digital Painting online course at California State University, Monterey Bay. The class was great! It was my first-time using Photoshop and the instructor was so patient with me. This time I attempted to capture a five petaled rose. Never stop doing what you love.
