Nature's Notebook with Peter Loewer

Bob and I have belonged to The North Carolina Arboretum since we moved to Saluda.  When we got the flyer for the winter and spring adult education classes, we signed up for several different classes.

Tonight was the first session of the Nature's Notebook class.  The flyer for this class began:  "Examine the intricacies of a flower or capture the delicate essence of a fern frond with your powers of observation and learn how to really "see."   The flyer also stated that the course was appropriate for the beginning student as well as the accomplished artist.

Bob has taken a series of drawing classes at Isothermal Tech over the last six months.  It's not something I ever considered until he asked me if wanted to take this four-week Tuesday night class with him.

I have not only never taken a drawing class before.  I have never tried nor even aspired to draw.  We'll, actually I'm sure I did draw when I was a child; and, I did have to draw a face last year in a class with Katie Kendrick.   But, that is the extent of my drawing experience in the past six+ decades.  I almost had a panic attack in Katie's class when I realized I was going to have to draw a face for the project we were doing so I surprised myself when I told Bob that I would take the class with him.

I went tonight with the understanding that I might not go back after tonight if the class did not turn out to really be appropriate for a beginner.  I've signed up for other classes that said they were fine for beginners that were not telling the truth. 

There were three other people in the class besides Bob and myself, including one other woman who, like me, truly is a beginner.   Peter put me at ease from the beginning.   I consider that a small miracle.

I don't expect to become great at drawing, but I would love it if I can find the confidence to be able to make small nature sketches to accompany my journal pages. I am surprised and delighted that after the first class tonight, I believe I will be able to do this. 

My printer/scanner is not working, and the picture I took with my camera doesn't show up very well,  but here's the start of my first drawing with attempts at shading.

Comments

[jane powell]

This is great Betsy. Sounds like he is a good teacher as well and I will be following along to see your progress. Be sure to keep posting your work.
Thanks for the update.
Jane

[patti digh]

I now officially want you and Bob to adopt me.