Virtual: Drawing Pumpkins and Gourds

Celebrate the beauty of the fall season by drawing pumpkins or gourds. In this workshop we will use variety of colored pencils techniques and approaches to drawing and sketching from observation and focus on depicting round form of pumpkins with its highlights and shadows. The workshop will include a presentation of Dorota’s botanical drawings of various pumpkins a demonstration of how to approach drawing from observation and various colored pencils techniques and a time to draw together. You are welcome to work in a loose, "precise" or any other style you prefer. You may work in your sketchbook or other recommended surfaces. Although drawing in realistic form will be the focus, individual styles will be encouraged and celebrated. All levels welcome.

Dorota holds a Diploma in Botanical Illustration from Society of Botanical Artists in UK, degrees in Art and International Studies with a focus on indigenous cultures, and a master’s degree in teaching. Born in Poland, Dorota’s love for nature began when as a child she accompanied her grandparents on mushroom hunting forays, spent hours in her parents and grandparents gardens, hiked summers in Tatra mountains and foraged for wild herbs and fruit. In her art she explores the idea of interconnectedness and fragility of our ecosystems, ecological diversity and species codependence. Dorota exhibits and teaches drawing regionally. Recently she has been an artist in residency at Bloedel Reserve on Bainbridge Island. Her recent commission was an installation of 25 illustrations of native plants of the Pacific Northwest at the Columbia Memorial Hospital in Seaside, Oregon. She is a member of Oregon Botanical Artists, Pacific Northwest Botanical Artists and American Society of Botanical Artists. Dorota has self-published 5 coloring books including a coloring book for Lan Su Chinese Garden in Portland Oregon.  "Witnessing habitat loss and species extinction I wish to express a deep compassion for nature. Representing small fragments of seemingly unrelated plants I encourage viewers to reflect on our fragility and interconnectedness with nature. Portraying different species of plants, that may or may not grow together I invite the viewer to think about ecological and human diversity and our mutual codependence. Nothing in nature is isolated, we are interconnected in multiple and subtle ways. We cannot thrive without each other.”