My botanical drawing class moved from the Botanical Gardens to the
Rockefeller Greenhouse this winter, a part of the
Cleveland Public Parks and free and open to the public. Despite growing up here, this is yet another interesting corner of the city that is new to me. Last week was the first time I was able to make class since it moved, and in addition to working more on my still-developing botanical drawing technique, I discovered another unknown (to me) historical landmark in Cleveland.
Here is the view from outside:
and here is what you get inside:
A truly welcome change from the monotonous palate of whites and greys we are living with this winter.
There were many orchids in bloom and I chose the most intensely colored orchid I could find as an antidote to my cabin fever.
My orchid and I got to know each other quite well over the next couple of hours, which is one of the things I treasure about botanical drawing. Spending time on capturing the detail is a satisfying process of exploration—the more I look, the more there is to notice. Even the simplest plant has endless shades of color and details.
Finished for the day.
