A Magnificent Structure
“What I see in Nature is a magnificent structure, that we can comprehend only very imperfectly, and that must fill a thinking person with a feeling of humility.”
Albert Einstein
Tips and Techniques— I sketched and painted this nest and quote as a demonstration for an online class that explores ways to capture the essence of a subject. While I find research and scientific information invaluable for field sketching, I also appreciate how a few spare lines of poetry or a quote can cut to the chase, helping to express what drew me to a subject in the first place. Try it. Next time you sketch a subject in nature, see if you can find a quote or poem – or write a few words of your own – to express what it means to you.
Drawn In 
I love this quote. I’ve used it. And I love your nests.
Thanks Erica- I was thinking about what, specifically, Einstein might have been thinking about when he said this. It applies to so many things– from the tiniest fractal snowflake to the structure of the universe.
That’s a wonderful quote from Einstein. He seems never to have lost his child-like wonder.
Isn’t that great? So important!
I ALWAYS enjoy your art!
Thanks so much Ann!
Is the class you mentioned available online? Wonderful nest sketch!
Hi Fay- Yes, this in an online class through the Winslow Art Center. A second session of the same class, Drawn to Nature, just filled quickly, before I even had time to announce it here.
I love everything about this. 🙂
Thanks Teresa!
Beautiful Jean.
Thanks Hanna– I appreciate it.
Thanks for a beautiful nest and quotation! What species is it?
Hutton’s vireo. From a museum collection. The nest is probably 130 years old.
A profound quotation and a beautiful, tender drawing.
I’ve just discovered a bird’s nest in a Brandywine tomato plant. Somehow the bird squeezed by the steadily expanding tomato suspended over the next and managed to lay two eggs (bobolink I believe).
Oh the wonder of it all. One can’t help but marvel and ponder.
Oops… *nest (not next).
Wow. What an unusual place. Bobolinks typically nest in big fields, so this would be a highly unusual location for them. Keep watch and keep me posted…what type of habitat is around the garden?
My veggie garden is adjacent to hay fields where they nested up until hay cutting time. And, I confess, my tomato patch is so dense (I’m taking the wild approach this year, no pinching) it’s actually a nice spot for a nest.
Sounds great!
Perfect.