5 x 7 paper. Toned tan sketch paper. Caran D’Ache Aquarelle pencil, Faber-Castell Polychromos pencils, Micron ink pen.

Helleborus are known in recent history as the Christmas and Lenten rose. I like to portray them as slightly sinister in my art, however, because of their storied past. The flower was used for medicinal purposes. But if improperly administered, it could exacerbate a patient’s condition and lead to insanity, even death. (Makes them a creepy sort of beauty when you realize such things.)

Helleborus sketches. Craft and Bristol paper. Ink, Faber-Castell Polychromos color pencils, watercolor, gouache

I like to document my travels and record what I see. These are my carbon pencil road trip sketches of various plants and experiences across Colorado, New Mexico and Texas. Overlooked plants along the roads and highways I travel on are of special interest to me. Many of them are incredibly resilient, surviving and even thriving with no help from humans. I believe they deserve more study and documentation. Who knows what we can learn from them and how these learnings can help our environmental future?

These are rose hips from a Just Joey Rose in my garden. Normally, it’s important to prune them off in order to encourage prolific blooming. But I leave some of these hips on my rose plants because they provide food for some of the surrounding wild life.

Rose hips. 9x12. Bristol paper. Faber-Castell Polychromos color pencils

Potato heart. 6×9. Ink, Faber Castell Polychromos Color Pencil.

Poppies in a field. 6×9. Mars Lumograph pencils.

Poppy buds are dramatic because many of them start off looking like hairy, awkward little monsters. But as they bloom, they develop into breathtaking, crisply petaled, colorful flowers. I love both stages, but I’m quite fond of the awkward one.

Poppy bud. 9x12. Bristol paper. Faber-Castell Polychromos color pencils, watercolor, gouache

Some seeds can live for many years and still germinate. This first illustration is of a Moonflower seedling. Stay tuned for more seeds and seedlings.

5 x 7 cotton paper. Carbon pencil, Faber Castell Polychromos colored pencils, gouache, ink pen.

As a potato decays, it increases its ability to give life to a whole new set of tubers. One seed potato carries enough nutrients to produce anywhere from 5 to 10 or more new potatoes. Life after death.

the humble seed potato. 9x9. Bristol paper. Faber-Castell Polychromos color pencils, watercolor, gouache

The Ruffled Cyclamen is one of my favorite flowers because the blooms create a sense of motion. I like capturing detail while at the same time communicating motion. These incredible flowers remind me of Hokusai’s wood block print, The Great Wave off Kanagawa.

Ruffled pink cyclamen. 9x9. Bristol paper. Faber-Castell Polychromos color pencils, watercolor, gouache

This is a rescue kitten named Suki. She makes funny faces.

5x7. Bristol paper. Faber-Castell Polychromos color pencils, watercolor, gouache

I foster a healthy ecosystem in my garden in order to attract our local and traveling birds. When I see an infestation of insects, I increase food in the bird feeders that surround my property. It’s one way to avoiding pesticide use. Plus, I get to observe these wonderful creatures more closely.

Chickadee. 5 x 5 cotton paper. Watercolors, ink pen

My friend Brad, who owns Fifth Avenue Greenhouses, commissioned me to draw this as a gift to one of his clients at TCU. I’m glad to have learned about this amazing little reptile.

Texas horned lizard. 6 x 6 Watercolor paper. Watercolors, Faber Castell Polychromos colored pencils, ink pen

These are little illustrations about some of the wildlife in my garden. The first illustration of Mrs. Toad. She lived near the water hose and had many children. The second is of a little squirrel who lost his life to a Red Tailed hawk he couldn’t out run.

8 x 10 paper. Watercolors, Faber Castell Polychromos pencils, Prismacolor, ink pen.

These are some of the commissioned portraits I’ve done featuring loved and cherished dogs. .

various sizes and mediums

The Peony is loved the world over for its fragrance and high petal count. This durable (though often fickle) perennial can live over 100 years.

commissioned. 27 x 27 Cotton paper, watercolor, Faber-Castell polychromos colored pencils, prismacolor

5 x 7 Stonehenge cotton paper. Watercolor, Faber Castell Polychromos Colored Pencils, Prismacolor, Gouache

the singing tourenia. 9x12. Bristol paper. Micron 005 black ink.

different varieties in various mediums and sizes. Dr. Martin’s Watercolors, Gouache, Faber Castell Polychromos colored pencils, ink pen

echeveria bloom. 9x12. Bristol paper. Faber-Castell Polychromos color pencils, Prismacolor, Gouache

bee and lavender. 4 x 6 Watercolor paper. Faber-Castell Polychromos pencils, gouache.

volvariella taylorii mushroom. 9 x 12 Bristol paper. Graphite pencil.