Art in the garden

Line drawing - White cosmos 8 x 10
copyright Jeanette Jobson

I am determined to get past the fear that I have of drawing flowers. Well not so much fear, but a dislike of the subject matter. So why don't I just draw what I enjoy drawing and not stress myself? Because I get lazy within my comfort zone.

Being comfortable doesn't:

...test my ability to observe.
...push me into an uncomfortable place and make me figure out how to get out of that place but keep the quality I want
...improve my ability to expand my technical expertise
...inspire me to try different subjects

I have drawn flowers off and on, mostly off over the last few years and am never really pleased with the result. Some are pleasant, but none outstanding. Today I did a line drawing of a white cosmos and buds. The shape is simple and I will do it in coloured pencil with a fairly strong contrasting background to make it stand out. Cosmos are one of my favourite flowers for growing in the garden. They aren't popular here as they are tall flowers -3 feet and more - and the wind tosses them around. I put them up against a fence in a sheltered spot and they are glorious.

Memorial University's Botanical Garden in St. John's has reopened for the season. Its still too early to enjoy blooms as spring, or the Newfoundland version of it, drags on with gloomy weather, making everyone depressed, cold and miserable. However, the Gardens are planning their 31st Annual Garden and Nature Art Exhibition and I may pluck up my courage and enter a couple of pieces. Perhaps one photograph and one drawing.


Submissions for the 31st Annual Garden & Nature Art Exhibition are welcome from local artists. Entry forms are available from their website or the Garden. Art exhibit submissions will be accepted at MUN Botanical Garden between June 3 - June 24, 2008, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. The exhibition will be on public view Friday, July 4 - Monday, September 1 in both the conference room and display room of the field centre of the Botanical Garden, 306 Mount Scio Road.

The Botanical Gardens rambles over 110 acres of land within the boundaries of Pippy Park in St. John's and I drive past it each day on my way to work. I can glimpse signs of life in the perennial border and if the weather would only clear and dry up for awhile, I would chance a hike on one of the trails to get some photos and sketching done. The gardens expand regularly with plants that are hardy in Newfoundland and they also make seeds available at times which I have grown successfully. The best being a hardy clematis that took off like a rocket last year and has beautiful fluffy seed heads after the bloom has died.