Sketchbooks

Sketchbooks are a way for me to explore my fascination with the cyclical nature of time.

I make sketchbook spreads of subjects that share something in common–perhaps they were found in the same location (ex. a certain park), were observed during the same time period (ex. winter), or share a taxonomic rank (ex. fungi).

Pen and ink sketchbook drawing of pine cones collected during the last few months of 2020, showing various pine cone shapes and sizes, along with individual pine cone scales.
Pen and ink sketchbook drawing of Pleurotus ostreatus mushrooms, labeled at the top right, with the date January 2024 at the bottom right.
Detailed botanical sketch various plants and fungi in Bryan Park. Handwritten notes include the date, temperature, and names of plants such as Passiflora and Quercus.
Detailed botanical sketch various plants and fungi in Bryan Park. Handwritten notes include the date, temperature, and names of plants such as Passiflora and Quercus.
Hand-drawn diagram of various insects and a map of Powhatan State Park with the date July 6, 2024. Includes illustrations and labels of a moth species, caterpillars, beetles, and a map outline of Virginia with a star marking Powhatan State Park.
A detailed of sketch of birds, each labeled with their species names. The background includes handwritten notes about a birdwatching trip to Lost Dutchman State Park on November 21, 2024.
Hand-drawn illustrations of various fungi and lichens, including a large mushroom, lichen colonies, and a mushroom spore case. Handwritten notes provide information about fungi. The title reads 'Fungi & Lichens' with additional text about the surface coverage and a scientific note on lung lichens.
A yellow background with pen and ink illustrations of fern leaves and the text 'Woodwardia areolata' and 'April 2023'.
A detailed botanical illustration of various plants, and animals, and the date May 23-25, 2026, at Grayson Highlands State Park, Mount Rogers.

I also keep a perpetual journal, an idea pioneered by Lara Call Gastinger and featured in her book, A Perpetual Journal Practice: Building a Connection with Nature through Art.

With a perpetual journal, the artist observes an environment over the course of a year and draws how the environment changes from week to week. At the end of the year, the artist begins the same journal again from the beginning, adding weekly entries to the same pages used the previous year. Over time, the pages are filled with weekly observations over several years, illustrating the evolution of the environment and the natural cycles among plants and animals in response to the seasons.

A detailed sketch of various fungi, plants, and animals during February, with handwritten labels including scientific names and dates, and small notes about their characteristics and observations.
A detailed sketch of various animals, plants, and flowers during July, with handwritten labels including scientific names and dates, and small notes about their characteristics and observations.
A detailed sketch of various lichens, plants, and flowers during February, with handwritten labels including scientific names and dates, and small notes about their characteristics and observations.
A detailed sketch of various fungi, plants, and flowers during October, with handwritten labels including scientific names and dates, and small notes about their characteristics and observations.
A detailed sketch of various plants and flowers during December, with handwritten labels including scientific names and dates, and small notes about their characteristics and observations.

My sketches often are the starting point for finished drawings, paintings, and encaustic prints.