Tags
frost, ink, Morton Arboretum, nature, nature art, photography, pleinair, prairie, Schulenberg prairie, sketch, sketchbook, snow, Springbrook prairie, watercolor, winter
When I decided to start sketching consistently at the prairie, I figured that I would maybe go once or twice once winter came. After all, how much can it change once everything is “dead”? Turns out there’s beauty in the stillness, activity in the snow, and designs in the skeletal remains of plants. When it was too cold to sketch outside, plants were sketched inside and as I studied them, they showed off their subtle colors and patterns. Sunshine drew me outside and I learned that I can draw in some very cold circumstances and still lose my sense of time. Enjoy some of my favorite photos and sketches from the past month or so.
Prairie sunset-pleinair-34 degrees
© Karen A Johnson
Mantis egg cases-pleinair-27 degrees
© Karen A Johnson
Showy goldenrod-inside
© Karen A Johnson
Footprints in the snow-pleinair-18 degrees
©2019 Karen A Johnson
Goldenrod galls-inside
© Karen A Johnson
Karen's Nature Art 
Brave soul!
Not really, just bundled up!
Thanks for sharing… Beautiful!
Thanks, Kimberly! It’s really not that bad if you have enough layers on… ☺
Love the winter photos, so real. And your water c
(Sorry, lazy fingers on my iPad!). Love the winter photos, so real. And the water/alcohol sketch of footprints in the snow! Especially appreciate the golden rods!
Thanks, Peter! After researching those galls, I found some more different ones, so those will be drawn too. So much to learn!
Hi Karen- I, too, have been braving the cold this winter to sketch outside and I’ve been surprised to find that is going better than expected. I like seeing the temperature recorded with your sketches. Both inside and outside sketches are beautiful! Especially like the mantis case– an excellent find. Hope you are able to keep at it for the next few months. It’s so nice to be outside exploring and sketching– if even for a short amount of time.
That’s great! Glad to hear you’re sketching outside too! I’m learning how to draw more simply with gloves/mittens on and that helps me sketch more quickly.
Karen, Your art and photography continues to inspire me. Thank You so much for sharing your gifted talent from God. Beautiful! I love the three floral paintings at the top, with their pollinators.
Thanks, OC! I appreciate your support and encouraging words! I’ve been learning so much as I spend time outside in God’s creation. It’s a blessing.
Wonderful sketches and photos! I love your use of coloured paper which sets off the subjects of your sketches so well.
Thanks, Clare! I’ve been having fun trying some new media this winter season. I do like the dried plants in that light brown paper. Have some more to do sitting on my table…
Beautiful , Karen. OMG! The prairies are outstandingly cold in the winter. Nonetheless, your art is fabulous. I am so happy and fortunate that you post your work here, and that I found you.
Thanks, Resa, for your encouragement! I must say I’ve not been braving the cold as much in the last couple of weeks, but hopefully soon. Can’t sketch in the freezing rain! Lol
It’s been dark and cold here in Toronto. We had freezing rain, too. I know it’s not as cold as the prairie, but it’s making a good stab at it! 2 more days and winter is 2/3 over!
We had freezing rain today and the prairie looked like glass-so beautiful!
Interesting effect! We’re having sideways snow right now.
Yikes-that doesn’t sound good!
It’s okay! I got supplies yesterday, and am spending the next 2 snowing days working on my new Art Gown post. Yay!
Oh- wonderful use of your snow days! Looking forward to seeing your beautiful new gown!
😀
Love the goldenrod 😍 Trying to get back into blogging. 😁
Thanks, Holly! My blogging has slowed down tremendously because I’m running out of photo space in the free site. 😥