Old-fashioned Peonies

One of my favorite late spring/early summer flowers is the old-fashioned pink peony. The model for this flower portrait came from a plant given to me by a dear friend. It was a start from one of the plants on their property that was planted long ago by a previous owner. 

I have described my process for creating this piece on my Botanical Art blog. Click Here to see the article. I hope you will enjoy your visit!

Zinnia ~ Happy Summer Flower, cont.

Some time ago, I think it was last summer, I had taken photos and made a few sketches and color notes of one of my favorite summer flowers, the zinnia. So easy to grow providing many kitchen bouquets throughout the season.

I've gotten back to the drawing this summer. Still the stems, a few leaves and opening flower to go but thought I'd share the drawing here as it is progressing. 


Since I have live plants in the garden at this time I am able to get more detail and color accuracy.

Photo references, sketches ~

Drawing on the "good" paper (I use Fabriano Artistico hot press for this) ~ Tracing paper to masks the white area of the paper.

Building up the rich pinks of the flower with colored pencil ~

Layers of green colored pencil along with some light and dark red violet and sepia to create depth ~

   

Nature Journal Page

I have collected photos of selected nature journal entries and compiled a Nature Journal Page on my Botanical Art blog. CLICK HERE to enter. I hope you will enjoy it! 

A Class in Beginning Colored Pencil for Adults

Beginning Colored Pencil

taught by artist, Cheryl Miller

Learn to use colored pencils to create Realistic Drawings

At

Colonial Homestead Artisan Gallery

West Jackson Street

Millersburg, OH 44654

Meeting Wednesday mornings

April 5, 2017 - May 24, 2017

10:00 AM - 12:00 Noon

Beginning with the Basics, students will learn the techniques they will need to complete a
final project of their choice from photographs that will be provided.

Experience in drawing with graphite pencil encouraged.

Class fee for 8, 2 hour lessons:  $145.00

(Discount if class exceeds 2 students)

Supply fee, which includes artist grade colored pencils and paper needed: $25.00

Register at Colonial Homestead Artisan Gallery ~ ph. 330-674-1955

or

Contact Cheryl

The Journal Project Begins~

Toward the end of 2016 the gallery owner where I show my work shared a book with an artist friend and I. It was a copy of The Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady.  The author and artist of the book, Edith Holden, kept a diary of the year 1906. She included nature notes, poetry, personal thoughts and beautiful paintings of the natural world around her. Well, my friend and I were inspired and each of us went home to order copies of our own.We had decided to take on the challenge of creating our own Nature diaries. 

My hope is that this project will keep me drawing more frequently and provide a place to explore new subjects. Also, with a new grandson in the family, I'm thinking of leaving something from "Gramma" to future generations that might encourage an appreciation for the natural world around them. 

So, we begin. I plan on posting the process along the way with selected entries. Hoping to finish well in December! And I hope you will enjoy it too. 

Adult Drawing Class

Adult Drawing Class

at

Colonial Homestead

Artisan Gallery

55 W. Jackson Street

Millersburg, OH

Tuesday mornings beginning October 11 thru November 15, 2016

10AM ~ 12 noon

Click here for more details

or call the Gallery at 330-674-1955.

SIGN-UP DEADLINE, OCT. 4, 2016. CLASS SIZE LIMITED.

Botanical Jewelry

I'm getting ready to start something new. I've been interested in using my artwork for other projects and landed on jewelry making. I've had my printer make laser mini-prints for me that I will then adhere to glass and mount in pendants. They will become miniature works of art that you can wear! 

I will be sure to post the finished products when they are finished. 

Botanical Note Cards

Note cards now available from Twigs and Petals on Etsy!

Children's Art Classes at Holmes Center for the Arts

I will be teaching Children's Art Classes on Saturdays beginning February 13 through March 5 at Holmes Center for the Arts in Millersburg, OH.

The classes are for children in grades 1 -3 from 9:30 - 10:30AM and grades 4 - 6 at 11:00 - 12:00noon.

For more information, click the Page above titled "Art Classes". And to sign up, please visit Holmes Center for the Arts .

New Etsy Shop Open for Business!

To celebrate the new year I have finally opened my Etsy Shop!

It is called ~ TwigsAndPetals 

I have a fairly clear schedule for the winter months ahead and thought I would take advantage of the bit of extra "free time" and try something new. Since I can do this from home I am also hoping it will free me up for more time in the studio, something that has been sorely missing in my life the past couple years.

I have several pieces on the site for sale and plan on adding to my inventory very soon. Right now I have prints available but soon will be adding a note card section. The focus is "Botanical artwork and Gifts inspired by nature" so I have other items I've been playing around with that might also find there way to the shop in the near future.

 Please feel free to stop by for a visit! :) Thanks!

New items ~

Above are some of the items I plan on bringing to my art group's show, Holmes for the Holidays. I've added several new designs to my series of fine art ceramic tiles (maple leaf, larger hydrangea and small oak leaf and acorns). And, just for fun, I will have a few knitted tea cozies and braided "Rug Mugs" available this year. The date is ~ Friday, November 20, 6:30PM-8:30PM for the artist reception and the show will continue on Saturday, November 21, 10AM - 4PM. All are welcome on both days. 

Holmes for the Holidays Art Show & Sale

The Holmes County Art Group invites you ~

to our

  4th Annual

Holmes for the Holidays Art Show & Sale

Friday, November 20 and Saturday, November 21, 2015

This year's Event will be held at 

The Washington Abbey

164 North Washington Street

Millersburg, OH  44654

An Artists Reception will take place on Friday evening, Nov. 20 from 6:30PM to 8:30. The show continues on Saturday, Nov. 21, beginning at 10:00 AM to 4:00PM.

For more information ~ Holmes County Art Group

"Fine quality art created by local artists offering unique gifts for the holidays"

(painting above by group member, Marlea Hershberger)

New Artisans Gallery Coming~

On to the "next thing" ~ :)  I will be set up with my art in the future home of the Colonial Homestead Artisan Gallery, 55 West Jackson St., Millersburg, OH next Saturday, October 10 during the Antique Festival. Stop by and say "Hi" and check out the new space! Opening soon!

Bits & Pieces ~

From my garden art blog ~

Portraits from the Garden