Believer in Ferns
Come back
believer in shade
believer in silence and elegance
believer in ferns
believer in patience
believer in the rain
— W.S. Merwin (Empty Water)
How good to be out in the greening woods, despite the occasional rain and still cold spring day. Good to see ferns unfurling and mayapples reaching up out of last year’s leaves and a single ruby red trillium.
Tips and Techniques– My simple tip this week is to let observation and delight drive your sketching. Go out with no agenda and see what strikes you. I was drawn in by the variety of fiddleheads when I started looking more closely at them unfurling in the woods – some hairy, some smooth, some reddish-brown, others bright yellow-green. Had I gone out with a pre-planned idea of what I wanted to paint, I might never have seen them.
Drawn In 
Beautiful and so inspiring.
Thanks Hanna!
So beautiful!
Thanks Annette! I enjoy seeing where your sketches take you as well.
That tip is equally apt for photography. Just go. The subject will find you. And, by the way, these are beautiful.
Thanks Michael. Yes, the subject finds you.
Lovely, Jean. I recently took a closeup photo of ‘fiddleheads’ on a trail near where I live. Without the context of the surroundings, they look other worldly. Always inspired by your pages.
Aren’t they great? And all too fleeting!
Beautiful Jean, ferns are my favourite. I would love you to join in with Sketch Across the World next weekend. 🍃
Sounds fun. Where can I find more details?
Hello Jean, you can find details here in my website page,
https://thewalkingsketchbook.co.uk/sketchacrosstheworld/
Have a great rest of the week. 🍃
Perfect! I plan to be sketching this weekend– the peak of early spring blossoms and wildflowers will be happening in New York. Thanks for the invite!
Brilliant thank you Jean. I love New York, I can’t wait to see a little bit of spring emerging there. 🌱
And good to see your post, and remember the joys of spring in the northeast – Mayapples were one of my first loves as a little girl. I was fascinated by the “umbrella” leaves. I’ve been out photographing ferns unfurling this morning, but as always, I feel a stab of guilt when I see the beauty of your drawn and watercolored versions. So nicely composed, and full of life.Your simple tip is my mantra, Jean. And thanks for the poem, so moving.
Mayapples are up but not yet in bloom. I hope to paint them before they’re fully open.
I barely remember the flowers – it was those crazy leaves, their super simple shape, that appealed to me. 🙂 But of course I look forward to seeing what you do with them.
(I just noticed a typo, I think – the poem is Merwin’s right?)
Thanks, Yikes…now fixed. I’ve been having trouble with typing what’s in my brain all day.
Beautiful! I love the little details and differences you’ve seen and drawn!
Thanks! There were a lot of details, but none so many as what is to come when they are fully unfurled.
beautiful
Such wonderful forms – and they make a beautiful composition on your page! Lovely.
Thanks Anna!
Ferns. So peaceful. I enjoy sketching them as well. I’ve decorated with them too. This made me smile. They’re beautiful.
Thanks Erica. They get more complicated to sketch once they unfurl, so I had to get in early when the going was easier.
Missed this one. I try to eat fiddleheads once a year. I don’t love them, but they are spring.
Hi, Jean. I tried emailing you, but I will try here, too. I love this piece and would like your permission to use a piece of it for a church bulletin cover. Second, I wonder if I could purchase a print of the entire piece. I look forward to your response. Thank you
Thanks Eric– sent a reply by email.