Monday, July 28, 2008

Escargot Begonia


Several years ago, Gary and I went on a "Garden Walk". It's where you buy tickets to tour people's gardens in your neighborhood. They are usually awesome events, and sometimes they have a theme, like butterfly gardens, or gardens with ponds. Any way, this one time we went, I remember seeing this plant for the first time, and I was totally intrigued by it. It is a begonia that has a spiral center in the shape of a snail, hence the name, "escargot begonia". A year after the garden walk, I saw the plant for a second time at Cantigny Gardens, where I snapped many pictures of it. This was an attempt to draw in colored pencil for the first time in probably ten years or so. I am also trying to draw something other than portraits because, you know, people are beginning to talk.......they think I'm trying to draw everyone in the United States..........

19 comments:

Kunstrxns said...

Wow, if this is your 1st time in 10 years it is scary to think you will be better with practice. I love the almost otherworldly feeling of this.

Ann said...

Beautiful drawing!
And I'm so jealous of your studio remodel!

Stephanie said...

Oh my! you have a wonderful sense of color. I love how you handled the flowers in such a defined way that it feels like a person could walk in a pick one.

Margaret Ann said...

This is drop dead gorgeous!!! We want MORE! :)

Alison said...

This is such a beautiful drawing and your studio space looks wonderful

kazumiwannabe said...

What a strange flower... This is very beautiful!

Sarah M said...

Very nice! Lovely patterns and colours.

Sandi said...

I really like this...so much to explore with the eye...also I just love what you did with your studio! Spectacular...one more thing...I really like that pic of you sitting in the "antique" lawn chair. LOL! Do you ever think about the fact that we cannot seem to do anything anymore without a beverage with us? Cars, lawn chairs, meetings etc....we have become a thirsty bunch I think.

Minerva said...

It's a captivating flower! I like a lot the way you show the patterns and the texture.

Deb said...

Stunning!
Love your studio....mine looks sorta like the before photo *G*.
My brother has visited Cades Cove many times.....he loves it! I've yet to go....

art & gym bookclub said...

Great drawing! Love the colors--it has a tapestry feel--very nice!

Irene said...

Very nice. You haven't lost your touch after all these years. Love your studio.

Spinneretta said...

Wonderful! You did a really great job with this one :)

Kathleen said...

Nice- I love the semi abstract feeling of the plant - and your studio is a complete WOW -

Timaree said...

Really nice drawing. I've never heard of the flower but it made a great design.

melissa said...

Gorgeous color!

M Bodhisattva Hill said...

If you ever produce a print of this, please let me know. This is absolutely beautiful! The colors are awesome! As usual, keep up the good work.

Oh and by the way, I also am so jealous of your studio remodel. Very nice!

JennArtDesigns said...

This is just beautiful! I love the colors and the way you handled the medium!

None said...

This is really fabulous. I love both the color and the composition. If I was sitting there with my pencils and had just drawn this, I would kiss myself!