This painting grew from a sketch, a study and a rendered drawing.  I felt like a gardener before spring, transplanting little seedlings from pot to pot as I drew, measured, enlarged, and painted.  Each time, I trusted the image to materials I made myself.

It is satisfying to brew one’s own ink, cut panels, dissolve rabbit-skin glue and dust for gesso.  Taking handmade materials outdoors makes one look more acutely.  One of my teachers, Nathan Bertling, used to tell me, “If you love your paper, you’ll love your drawing.”  He meant that time spent in preparation makes for good execution.

Much is made these days of “plein air” painting, and often I’m asked, “Did you do that all plein air?”  To which I say “Harumph.  I was working before I went outside.”