Let's Paint Nature!

Sketch Class Results Lyman Woods Downers Grove

Posted on May 14, 2013 | 3 Comments

This month, at the suggestion of a sketch group member, we decided to meet at Lyman Woods in Downer’s Grove, IL, for our sketchbook MeetUp class.

What a tiny gem! And crawling with springtime woodland wildflowers right now!

Prairie Trillium

Lily of the Valley

And my favorite…Jack in the Pulpit!
Amongst the beautiful, there was decay as well…..such is the nature of nature…

A dead skunk lying right in the middle of the trail. Poor fellow. We did not see any puncture wounds but we dared not touch it as he did have a smell about him!

The group found many photo worthy shots and took advantage. But now it is time to get to work! Chop chop!

Gene and Celeste

Everybody found a spot suitable to their liking. The wetlands of Lyman Woods is impossible to pass up. It was calling to us. Not only was the landscape beyond words, but hundreds of swallows zipped to and fro having lunch in the sky above the marsh.

Alanna

Some stood, some sat, it didn’t much matter how we accomplished our tast…our task to be students of nature.

Donna and Jan

The bench made a perfect spot to lay out all of the supplies!

We braved the conditions as long as we could. It was cloudy in the morning, with a persistent biting wind. Here is the work in progress….

The groups work in progress.

Sometimes it is just wise to finish at home than to provoke a harsh cold wind.

Here is my final. I wanted to capture at least one tree swallow swooping in the air, flashing his bright white belly at me!

We had a wonderful visit to Lyman Woods. I can’t wait for our next adventure on the road!

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Posted in art, Artwork, Chicago, nature, Nature Sketching, sketchbook, sketching class, watercolor sketching

Tagged art, Artwork, downers grove, IL, lyman woods, marsh, sketch class, sketchbook, tree swallow, watercolor sketch, wetlands

Wolf Road Woods Watercolor Sketch

Posted on April 30, 2013 | 2 Comments

I escaped to the woods. I am on the hunt for I don’t know what.
Will I find peace of mind?
Will I find a revelation?
Will I just explore?
I pray it is all or any of these!

It is a mild 55°F. There is no wind and the sky is overcast. The air holds a faint sweet smell, I breath it in slowly and deeply.

Blue Jays look down on me as I pass on the yellow trail. They bellow their echo-like melody and my ears perk up. If the Blue Jays are the lead singers, then the Chorus Frogs are the backup vocals. From my ear drums to my mouth, a smile transpires.

Looking down beneath the dense shrubbery, I notice an Eastern Towhee skipping backwards through leaf litter making a loud scraping sound. He doesn’t know I can see him. Looking around him, I am exceedingly glad to see some spring woodland wildflowers! The first of the year for me. It’s about time.

Taking the yellow trail to the black trail, I am right where the red trail connects and I hear rushing water in the distance. Where is that coming from? I don’t know of any bodies of water except a small creek. I must explore. Walking off trail and down a ravine, I find a natural waterfall made by a felled tree. The recent rains are held back by this very large log, creating a plunging waterfall ringing in the depth of the ravine’s walls. I am lost in my own world.

I continue my way back to the black trail. This beautiful tree awaits me. I am guessing it is made my a Pileated Woodpecker as I did see one in a tree a few feet away. I put my fingers on the cavity opening. Such strength and power needed to create this… I would have paid to be in the audience watching this kind of talent.

I head back to my car, coming away with much more than I came with, thanking the Father all the way. Having peace of mind, a restful heart, new revelations and discoveries, my cup is overflowing.

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Posted in art, Artwork, Chicago, hiking, nature, Nature Sketching, sketchbook, watercolor sketching

Tagged art, Artwork, Christine Kane Art, ckane, cutleaf toothwort, forest preserve district of cook county, hiking, IL, nature, pileated woodpecker damage, rue-anemone, sketch, sketchbook, spring wildflowers, watercolor, waterfall, willow springs, wolf road woods, woodland wildflowers

A Very Late Spring Sketch – Papoose Lake

Posted on April 22, 2013 | 2 Comments

Oh tired and sleepy trees – wake up! It’s Spring!

Winter’s death grip has finally loosened up in the Chicago area. Wheeeew…it’s been a long one. The grass has responded but the trees are still silent. Maybe this week of constant warm weather will liven them up?

Yesterday I went to Papoose Lake because I wanted to sketch something with water in it. I fell in love with this tree because of it’s limbs which resemble arms and elbows!

Later I drove to Country Lane Woods for a hike, because Papoose does not have trails. I was delighted to stumble upon Spring Peeper frogs calling in an ephemeral pond from last week’s downpour.

Here is a video…just for the sound of their call as I could not see them up close…

Spring Peeper Frogs and a few Chorus Frogs as well.

At Country Lane Woods I also observed many tiny Ruby-Crowned Kinglets flitting from twig to twig eating flying insects glowing against an afternoon sun. Once in a while they would briefly stop and I did get a glimpse of that ruby crown! Yesssssss.

Who’s ready for Spring?!?

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Posted in art, Artwork, Chicago, hiking, nature, Nature Sketching, sketchbook, watercolor sketching, wildlife

Tagged art, chorus frog, Christine Kane Art, ckane, forest preserve district of cook county, papoose lake, sketchbook, spring peeper, watercolors

Lesser Scaup Watercolor Sketch

Posted on April 3, 2013 | 2 Comments

While at Lake Katherine a while ago, I noticed some ducks that looked like loons from far away. I knew they weren’t loons, so I took a picture intending on looking it up later. Wouldn’t you know it, my memory card was NOT in my camera and since the cord is long gone…getting that picture out is not happening.

Later that day while inside the nature center, Lake Katherine just happened to have a poster on their wall with this guy’s picture! Yessss…identification made…the Lesser Scaup.

I made this sketch at home after looking at several pictures. The REAL sketch on location is not nearly as impressive….

Here’s the real deal. A quick scribbly mess. They just don’t stay still when asked.

The Lesser Scaup is a diver. When feeding, his whole body dives below the water and he’s MIA for quite sometime, later popping up a few feet away. Never where you expect him to…haha.

Anyway after making my sketch, I started to ponder on this waterfowl’s dive. Relating to my own life, here is what I came up with:

He is a diver.
Not a lackadaisical, carefree dive as in a pastime hobby, no, a powerful, quick, forceful dive to survive, to gather food. A very purposeful intent for existence.

I too need to take this same intense dive to propel me to the next level in life. It’s game time.

I’m at a point in my life where everything is turned upside-down and I can float into the dangerous current or I can forcefully dive for the goal.

I choose to dive.

I pick the plunge over the float. With God’s help, I will get there. It might be slightly uncomfortable at first, but always in my best interest for the long run.

I guess you can say it’s my lesson from nature. That’s what I love about this passion for art and nature! It makes me so happy, I can jump up and down! The things I learn are priceless.

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Posted in art, Artwork, Chicago, nature, Nature Sketching, sketchbook, watercolor sketching, wildlife

Tagged art, Artwork, Christine Kane Art, ckane, diving duck, duck, IL, lake katherine, lesser scaup, palos heights, sketchbook, watercolor, waterfowl

Sketch Class Results Lake Katherine March 2013

Posted on March 26, 2013 | 7 Comments

We gather to cleanse ourselves from a stressful week by sketching nature. To be fully present in this moment, under the sun, in full view of the wildlife, and to slowly breath in the crisp air, is no small event. These few hours are precious as we collect the images of this day in our mind, to sustain us through yet another stressful week…

This month’s sketch class was held at Lake Katherine. After walking around the lake in search for Mr. And Mrs. Swan couple (we did find them), we chose this location of a peaceful red bench under a group of pines.

photo by Alanna.

Some of us decided to use the rocks as our desk.

photo by Alanna.

While others relaxed at the edge of the lake.

photo by Alanna.
(Alanna, Christine, Connie, Jan, and Becky {Donna not shown})

Which ever way was comfortable, we all came to same conclusion…beautiful artwork inspired by nature.

photo by Alanna.

Here is a closer look at our terrific souvenirs. Our objective is not to critique the artwork, but to just enjoy the process together.

This is a close up of my watercolor and black Micron pen sketch. I decided to add Mr. Swan even though he wasn’t in my view…he had his own agenda for the day!

We did catch him though, along with his partner and the mallard clan. I look forward to the cygnet (baby swans) in the future that this couple will bring forth.

photo by Alanna.

And NO sketch class would be complete without a hike! We decided to take the trail right under Harlem Ave and walk along the Cal-Sag river. Even though it is stillllllllll in the 30′s (hello? where is spring btw?), there was no wind and the sun did warm us up!

If you are in the Chicago area and would like to join us, click here for the MeetUp site link.

I hope you enjoyed our sketching and hiking adventures!

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Posted in art, Artwork, Chicago, hiking, nature, Nature Sketching, sketchbook, sketching class, watercolor sketching

Tagged art, Artwork, Christine Kane Art, ckane, hiking, IL, lake katherine, nature, palos heights, pine trees, sketch class, sketchbook, watercolor, watercolor sketch