It’s Monday night here. Classes are great, the people are so creative and open-minded and educated here in the studio, and the weather isn’t terrible. I do have my heater turned on, but only because it makes it so I don’t have to wear a sweater or blanket while I work on drawings etc. These cups are the first two finished green pieces I’ve made while here in Australia. I love drawing orchids and aloe vera plants. The line quality and direction are what really attract me– the imagery also goes well with my bright and vibrant color palette. I guess there isn’t really any underlying environmental or emotional reason why I draw what I do– I just draw what I’m drawn to. There is a bond between myself and botanical art, but it’s more of an integral habit of my being than an emotional attachment. When I’m thinking of imagery for my pots, I paint the colors before I have a definite idea of what will be in the color frame. The design sort of just comes together step by step. If I paint yellow on a cup in a certain shape, I draw the shape and line type that seems most suitable– so I think of a good botanical or animal subject that has the line quality I want. Yes, lately I’ve been drawing tropical plants and plants that are foreign to my place of upbringing, but every once in a while I find myself drawing plants I was raised around as well. These pieces are just the beginning of my Australian studio experience. I plan on continuing these forms and style of decorating, but I’m also branching out this semester by doing some clay sculpture, bronze casting, and print making. It should be fun! Oh, and I also might be learning some Jazz guitar soon 🙂