a study of leaves

The US Botanical Garden in DC has a beautiful orchid show going on right now.  Although I love orchids I find more inspiration in leaves and other flowers.  Many years ago I started a photo archive of leaves, buds, flower clusters and detail flower photos.  I constantly use them for reference when sketching.  The below photos I took at the Botanical Garden and are the most recent additions to the leaves archive.

I already started sketching ideas of leaves.

I love the round shape with the pinked edge.

The long bright green branches on this plant are so interesting.  If you click on the image it will enlarge in your window.  Notice how the leaves twist at the end.  So cool.

 

The red stalk of this plant is so beautiful. Nature is amazing isn't it?

I like how delicate and soft this plant looks.

Check out the red dotted stem of the leaf.

Nice leaf clusters.

museums and mexican food

Yesterday was awesome!  It started with a beautiful sunny day. Steve and I headed to the Botanical Garden. I got to test out my new camera. (Pictures coming tomorrow.) Next we headed to Hirshhorn Museum. The museum houses contemporary art, that at times make me question how it is "art". Other exhibits at the museum were interesting and interactive. Here are three of my favorites.

Jesús Rafael Soto: Blue Penetrable BBL 1999

Hundreds of blue nylon strings suspended from a modular steel frame.  The composition comes to life when the viewers enter the fluid mass of flexible threads, setting them in motion.

 

 Carlos Cruz-Diez: Chromosaturation 1965, exhibition copy refabricated 2010

Three connecting sections whose white walls and floor appear to dissolve under banks of vibrant blue, red and green light.  As viewers move through these spaces, the hues appear almost tangible, yet the boundaries of their interactions remain tantalizing elusive.

There were colored windows on the outside of the boxes where the viewer could look in and see how the colored glass altered the light.  My husband took these from the outside looking in.

 Ron Mueck: Untitled 1958

This photo doesn't do this justice.  The sculpture is really big and he is sitting down in the corner of the gallery.  His feet were about 18 inches long.  He was so real looking.

This wasn't in the museum but we passed it and we both laughed.  Where do they get these images? So many ways to interpret this image.  What do you see?

After a day of seeing museums we headed to the movies to see The Descendants (two thumbs up).  We needed a break to refuel.  What better way then with margaritas and Mexican food.  And some of the best Mexican we have had.  

If you are in DC - you must try out Oyamel.

  Hope you had a wonderful weekend.  Happy Monday!

sketches

Earlier this week I made a trip to the Freer Gallery of Art in DC.  I spent some time looking and sketching.  I really enjoyed the collection of Arts of the Islamic World.

 I am itching to start playing with my scrapbook papers.

papers from Flower Child and Sweet Tooth collections

Have a great weekend everyone!

self portrait

Guess who bought a new camera:)  I am really excited to start playing and experimenting.

A nice flower my hubby brought me.  Made my day.

Unfortunately, I didn't have my new camera in NY.  It came a few days after my return.  The below photos are pre-Canon :)

The 9-11 memorial.  Amazing and very well done.  The water is so loud when you are close that it cancels out the city noise.  It is almost meditative.  The water made me think of falling tears.  It made my friend think of the falling towers.

 From the MET

❤

Happy Valentines Day!  

May your day be filled with love, laughter and friendship!

Image from Bee In My Bonnet

flowery @ Society6

Introducing "Flowery" with Society6!  The original print is multi colored but I like how dramatic it looks in black and white.  Enjoy!

I like how Tweet and Flowery look together!

sketches

I haven't posted any sketches in awhile and thought I would share some of this weeks work.  Life over here has been a bit crazy.  I had an unexpected project come my way this week and out of it came a new client-very excited about this one!  I hope to share images of the work later this year.  

Tomorrow I leave for NYC!  I am taking the train from DC to NYC tomorrow.  This will be the first time I have taken a train in the USA.  I am kinda excited to see how it compares to Europe.  The week will be full of fun and business and meeting some clients face to face that I have never met!  I will be posting from NY so be sure to come back next week.

On a side note...I am beginning to realize that with the additional clients I have picked up this year, I need help.  I am going to be searching for an intern soon.  Does anyone have any suggestions or advice?  Feel free comment here or to email me at diane@dianekappa.com

Have a good weekend everyone!