Two Nature Subjects

While walking I found a variegated leaf that was fun to paint but I had no idea what it was from.   I googled it and think it is either from an ivy or a geranium. 

The right side of the journal page is a life cycle of the Mexican Bird of Paradise from bloom to seed pod.

Nature is so interesting!

 

Cholla Cactus Skeleton

This is a skeleton or the inside structure of a cholla cactus.  I found it a long time ago and decided I needed to finally sketch it in the Etegami style.

When I googled it I found out that people craft this wood into the body of a pen.  Looks neat.  Some also use it to place other decoration like feathers (as a friend told me.)

Arizona Leaves

Arizona Leaves, a photo by Teri DC on Flickr.

I found these leaves when I was walking (we have lots of them blowing around right now-but better than snow).
Our leaves all seem to be brown.

Agave

Agave, a photo by Teri DC on Flickr.

I always celebrate Monday with a cactus or succulent. This Agave plant is quite popular in Arizona. I was especially intrigued with the neat cut marks on the bottom. As the plant grows the lower leaves are cut off to keep it nice and trim.
Ink and watercolor.

The Last Of The Bouganvilla

The Bouganvilla are almost done blooming so I had to do a sketch before they were gone.

The painting opportunities in the desert are so inspiring and lead to such nice journal pages.

Arizona Pine Tree

Arizona Pine Tree, a photo by Teri DC on Flickr.

I always saw this pine tree on my walks in Arizona and decided I needed to sketch it before we left.
Done in water soluble ink and watercolor.

Almost Blooming Agave

Almost Blooming Agave, a photo by Teri DC on Flickr.

Here is an agave that is giving its lasts hurrah. They live for twenty years looking like the lower part of this image then in the twentieth year they send up this center. It takes a few months from the time it starts growing, getting the side buds then flowers. When it is all done blooming the plant dies.
However, there are new babies along the base to continue the process.

Sorry for the poor scan but the page is 9x12 inches and it doesn't quite fit in the scanner.

The Desert Has Started To Bloom

The Desert Has Started To Bloom, a photo by Teri DC on Flickr.

There is a cactus that I see every morning on my walk. It is the first one I saw blooming this spring. The cactus itself spreads on the ground and gets covered with these orange beauties. Sorry I don't know the name of it.

I painted this on handmade paper which is sure not the best for watercolor but very fun to do.

Autumn Leaves In Ink

Autumn Leaves In Ink, a photo by Teri DC on Flickr.

I was sitting on the patio watching these dried autumn leaves blow around and sketched them with water soluble ink and a bit of watercolor for the background.

Nature is so inspiring!

Street Saguaro

Street Saguaro, a photo by Teri DC on Flickr.

This Saguaro is across and down the street from us. I always feel bad when I see it because of all the damage.
The top has been broken off.
The trunk is full of bird holes.
Being on a busy road has exposed it to way too much exhaust and smog.
And it has been so neglected.

So I stopped one day to sketch it and share it with you to let you know not all Saguaros are happy.

Tree And Road Runner

While my husband was hitting golf balls I was sketching this interesting tree when a Road Runner bird popped into the scene.  I added him to the sketch but didn't leave enough room so I used a reference for a better sketch.

The Road Runner seems to be everywhere in Arizona and always fun to see as it runs. It has long legs and long tail and always seems to run rather than fly. Many of you may remember seeing the cartoon road runner...'beep, beep'.

Out My Kitchen Window

Out My Kitchen Window, a photo by Teri DC on Flickr.

The theme this week at Flickr's Urban Sketchers is 'out my kitchen window'.

This is my view of the orange tree next door. Still lots of oranges hanging on there even after the 'big chill' we had.

Oranges On The Tree Branch

Oranges On The Tree Branch, a photo by Teri DC on Flickr.

This is the view right outside our door.
Done in ink with watercolor for the oranges on handmade paper. That paper with all its inclusions is so perfect for this kind of sketch.
I chose to do just a branch as it comes up from the trunk. And just had to write a haiku.
Delicious oranges!

Paper Kite Butterfly

Paper Kite Butterfly, a photo by Teri DC on Flickr.

I sketched this butterfly from a photo I took in the Butterfly house at the Tucson Botanical Gardens. Then I had to find out the name of it from Google: Paper Kite Butterfly. 

I used tan paper to enhance the black and white look.

Barrel Cactus Study

Barrel Cactus Study, a photo by Teri DC on Flickr.

I see lots of barrel cactus fruit and they all seem to have the yellow fruit on th stop. When I looked closer I thought it might be interesting to do a macro study of them.

This is done in my beta Stillman & Birn sketchbook. I fell so in love with this sketchbook I ordered a larger size to take home with me.

The frame, text and watermark mean I am playing/learning my new iPad apps.

Another Happy Cactus Monday

Yucca Seed Pod

Cactus Monday - Yucca Seed Pod, a photo by Teri DC on Flickr.

I found this yucca seed pod hiking with my daughter and SIL. It just looked interesting and when I researched if was part of the succulent family.
I sketched it with sepia ink and a bit of watercolor because it is so close to the real color.

I used a Stillman and Birn beta series sketchbook. The paper is 180# and it is gorgeous to sketch on and does take watercolor beautifully as well.

Cactus Monday - Blooming Agave

Cactus Monday - Blooming Agave, a photo by Teri DC on Flickr.

A few years back our neighbor had a blooming agave and it was fun to watch the bloom stem grow and blossom. The desert has so many wonderful surprises to share.

Happy Cactus Monday.

Feathers

Feathers, a photo by Teri DC on Flickr.

I found these feathers when I was walking so I brought them home to paint. The one on the left was on the island at the lake so I'm guessing it belongs to a duck.
I found the reddish one hanging on a bush and have no idea where it came from. The shaft was broken so I'm not even sure how long it was.
Feathers are always fun to paint.
I cropped this from a journal page I am adding to everyday. The background is pre-painted.

Road Trip Sketch

Road Trip Sketch, a photo by Teri DC on Flickr.

When I am not driving I like to sketch scenes along the road.
I love painting mountains and there are plenty between here and Phoenix. Only problem is the road was quite bumpy making my paint hit the wrong areas.

Cactus Monday - Journal page

Cactus Monday - Journal page, a photo by Teri DC on Flickr.

While we were in Phoenix I took a walk to see if there were any interesting cacti and found this one, probably a night blooming cereus. What made it interesting were the seed pods hanging on the branches.
Cropped out of my daily journal.