Above, the acorns of Quercus rubra (Northern Red Oak), Quercus lyrata (Overcup oak), Quercus marilandica (Blackjack Oak) and below, their leaves.
Above, the acorns of Quercus falcata (Southern Red Oak), Quercus prinus (Chestnut Oak) and Quercus laevis (American Turkey Oak) and below, their leaves.
Above, the acorns of Quercus virginiana (Live Oak), Cyclobalanopsis blakei, Quercus robur (English Oak) and below, their leaves.
Pigment ink on 2.5"x3.5" Bristol Boards. They look better when matted and framed as a set. Otherwise, I shuffle them like playing cards.
If I had to draw only one thing, it would be the oak. It's not surprising that my first drawing this year was an ATC/ACEO with an illustrated mat depicting a specimen of Quercus laevis (left) and then I end the year with a set of drawings of acorns and their leaves. When I run out of ideas or just want to draw something leisurely, I draw oak which gives you the idea that I am frequently out of ideas.
Drawing acorns and leaves is a soothing activity.
I will be happy drawing oak for the rest of my life. I wonder if there is a job out there for an acorn illustrator that will provide retirement benefits, health and dental insurance? Say, a six figure income to go along with the other benefits? If you know of one, please let me know or provide a good word about me. Tell them you know someone who loves to draw nuts. When I was searching for images of Quercus laevis acorn and leaf, look what came up... my own illustration. You know that tickles me a bit. I wish I studied botany or forestry. Wouldn't that be nice? Oh never mind. There may be snakes on the trees and forest floor. Here's another search outcome for cyclobalanopsis bella:
They are my specimen drawings of Cyclobalanopsis bella (first and fifth) and an illustration of Bella Sinclair as an oak nymph :) Here's a fact:
There are three more days left before the beginning of the new year. I may draw something else. Happy New Year to all of you!
What a perfect subject to have as your "favorite."
ReplyDeleteYour precision and craft at drawing the acorns and leaves shows. These are beautifully drawn.
Bravo, Ces . . .and Happy New Year to you.
I've got a huge Burr Oak on my property, and I love it a lot. Have you ever drawn these furry acorns? They're amazing.
Hello Rick! Yes! The Burr Oak or Quercus macrocarpa. I drew that and it's here:
ReplyDeletehttp://adorio.blogspot.com/2010/08/209-quercus-acorns-and-leaves.html
Yep, oaks are great to lie under, to climb and to draw. Also great for pigs to root amongst the heycorns and providing ready made pipes for gnomes. I am also known for generally being hooked on oaks, so keep on drawing for both our enjoyment.
ReplyDeleteI hope you have a wonderful 2012 with your family and pets and churn out many more wonderful drawings and paintings.
I seem to be at a bit of an impasse here, not having put pen, pencil, charcoal or brush to paper for the longest time. Between the Prof and my sister I seem to be in an inspiration free zone.
Love and blessings . . . Arija
Ces...I enjoyed Arija 'positive' writing: not "inspirationless"
ReplyDeleteBut "inspiration-FREE" zone!
NOW! To help you find that ideal job, Ces. GOD knows I tried...sent out resumes (for you!) to numerous prospective employers. This went out yesterday:
"Dear Ser,
This is to introduce my good friend Ces who is nuts--not I didn't mean that. WAIT!! Well, these nutty pictures of little bitty trees (with no roots, limbs or leaves) are really quite cute! QUITE QUTE!
Ces must not like them much, because she gives most of them away, except for the originals. She says she doesn't want to give away something on which the ink might schmear.
Read on.
Ser, the last time you and I met, we had dinner together. You don't know me. It was a HUGE room. When I stood up on that oak chair, I could actually SEE you!
Now, back to the topic, Ces! Or was it "NUTS"....or BOTH!
Please do not send this resume back to me, but give it a place of honor, like somewhere under your desk. SAFE from nuclear attack!
In the accompanying resume I listed all of Ces' requirements, health, wealth, Dental, pills (she uses lots of funny-looking pills--grin!), vacation times to be negated--negOTIATED...
But I did forget one small item. Ces does her best nutty work in her home office, with laundry, kitchen, and Easel(s) all set. And do not call her in the daytime--she sleeps then.
CES LOVES animals, and so I KNOW she will like YOU, Ser.
Respect-full submitted by me, Steve, who has also a wall-full (God, that rhymes with 'aweful', better change it!!!) A FULL WALL of NUTS. And I LOVE THEM!...still looking every day now for those little 'post-card nuts'
Have a GREAT New Year! Hope we can have dinner again sometime, Ser.
Ces, hope your Sis's suffering is being controlled, we pray for her. Thank you once more before 2011 ends. May 2012 see more rain for Texas, and may YOU stay healthy--or we ALL suffer from "Lack-of-Ces"!
May many rewards of Happiness and PEACE be given you this year 2012.
Love and PEACE!
Steve
Thank you Arija. I know you love oak. I have been thinking of you while I drew these acorns and leaves.
ReplyDeleteSteve! That is not true. I DO give away the originals, drawings, paintings. The ones you have are parts of series and the giveaways are prints because they are given away to many people. Gah! I will give you an original and then you have to write another recommendation for me. Hah!
ReplyDeleteI want a job like that too! So when someone looks you up for it, be sure to put in a good word for me. I will draw.... pretty much anything ;) I love all your acorns and leaves. No two are alike so I imagine that you could draw one everyday for ever and never draw the same one twice. Hugs Ces :)
ReplyDeleteTSUP!!!
Cette publication me plait particulièrement et tu comprendras pourquoi...
ReplyDeletetrès vite...
Gros bisous
i love that you enjoy drawing oaks... and their nuts
ReplyDeletebecause it is soothing to you
and because i love oaks....
when i want to be soothed, i draw a face
Happy New year Ces!!!
ReplyDeleteHow are you??
OMG you are amazing! these are so beautiful... did you take a science illustration course? these should be in science books!
I replied to your comment about BJDs on my blog, but I'm going to make it easy for you ad paste it here. Do you really want to buy one? if so, there are a few things that you should know before you do. here's my reply to your comment:
hahaha you're right, his face is very androgynous... I kind of like that, but the good thing about these dolls is that you can actually customize them, you can change their eyes, their make up, you can change the wigs, (their faces come off, you can change their faces), buy clothes for them and so on...
I just bought another doll, this time from another company named Iplehouse. This one is looks much more masculine looking:http://img.iplehouse.com/co_img006/iplehouse/etc/SE_arvid_dt03.jpg
You're right... buying a BJD is extremely hard
because they are limited edition dolls... you have to buy them in their order period (the seller opens the sales for that doll for a 20 or 30 days period). So you have to keep visiting the website until you find one that you really love.
The thing is, after the ordering period closes, that doll will never be available again... ever. That's why they are so expensive, collectors can sell limited edition dolls in the second hand market for much higher prices.
But there are stores who have dolls that aren't limited editions, however they are expensive none the less.
If you're looking for an asian looking doll, I have a few suggestions for you:
1: I absolutely love this 70 cm female doll from Iplehouse: http://www.iplehouse.net/shop/step1.php?number=2026
(please be aware that this is not the final price - you will want to add face-up (make-up), and the clothes are not included, you would have to order them separately. You can always make clothes for her yourself if buying the clothes gets too expensive)
2: http://www.ringdoll.com/product/RingDoll/sol.html
3:http://dollsoom.com/eng/shop/item.php?it_id=1324888700
Also, here is a link where you can find some BJDs for under $300:
http://www.angelsdoll.net/shop/step_submain.php?b_code=B20100213083641
As for the wigs, if you can't find anything you like, I know a freelance wig maker that could make you a personalized wig. She made the redhead wig for my doll ;)
I sometimes buy my wigs from here: http://www.leekeworld.us/
If you decide to buy a BJD and need any help, send me an email or a message on facebook and I'll help you with everything! :)
Ces! DEAR! I was joking with my comment (above). In no way would I ever intentionally minimize your gift-giving--you are one-of-a-kind!-- to your Peeps-of whom I was one!
ReplyDeleteTruly, I thought my comment would find you LOL! I'll be more careful, especially in the public forum of your blog comments...OK? (Now, that does not mean I won't 'slip up' now and then--grin!)
Please let me know 'we are good'.
PEACE!
Steve
Sometimes I forget the 'impersonal' properties of Email, and how a few inadvertent words, in jest, can destroy the meaning, or intent of the writer.
NO MORE 2nd Party RESUMES for me! However, I will recommend you to everyone I meet--for employment. (Tonight I'm giving a talk at a jail!) In fact, gotta go now for that!
ReplyDeleteTSUP!
Hey Ces! Happy New Year to you and your wonderful family. Many blessings to you. Your precision and detail had me believing that you majored in botany or Quercus101. I’m glad I could stop by and get lost in your work again! Your oaks are mesmerizing!
ReplyDeleteI’ll keep my eyes open for employment in the acorn field, but honestly, I don’t want to share you with any employer :o)
Thank you for all your thoughtful comments.
ReplyDeleteSteve, everything is good.
Francisco, thank you for the information. Gotta save my money. They are all sooooooo tempting!!! Tsup!.
KH, yes, you and I will sit right next to each other at work!!! :)
Hello Tammie, I can see why you are soothed by the faces as I am when viewing your portraits.
Hello Martine Alison, every time I draw an acorn I hear them falling down on your dollhouse roof!! :)
Oh Jack, it is wonderful to see you. I hope all is well with you and your loved ones.
~good morning...if i could pay you six figures to continue drawing such exquisite pieces i surely would...you capture the pure essence of each nut and leaf beautifully! there is nothing quite like the gifts nature brings forth and and how nourishing it can be to our soul...you are a treasure to be found and how exciting that you should pop up in google images...tickled you very well should be! i hope you had a wonderful holiday and i wish you only the best in the coming new year...be well and much love light and blessings shining brightly upon you and yours~
ReplyDelete