https://kathrynchorney.com/more-life-drawings/https://kathrynchorney.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/male-standing-hand-extended-978.jpgmale-standing-hand-extended-15 minMale, standing, hand extended - 15 min study, conte on newsprint 2025https://kathrynchorney.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/male-backview-kneeling-978.jpgmale-backview-kneeling-5 minMale, backview kneeling, 5min, conte on newsprint 2025https://kathrynchorney.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/female-on-knee-978.jpgFemale-one-knee - 2min2-min gestural drawing, conte on newsprint 2025https://kathrynchorney.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/35-min-female-seated-front-978.jpgWoman seated in armchair - front view35-min study, black conte on newsprinthttps://kathrynchorney.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/20min-female-seated-978.jpgWoman seated in armchair, angled view20-min study, conte on newsprinthttps://kathrynchorney.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/female-leaning-on-chair-15min978a.jpgwoman standing, leaning on chairblack and white conte on toned paper, 15 min studyhttps://kathrynchorney.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/20min-male-seated978.jpgMale seated - chin in hand20-min study, black and white conte on toned paperhttps://kathrynchorney.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/female-standing-hand-up-5min-978-1.jpgfemale-standing-hand-up-5min5 min study, shadows and highlight on toned paperhttps://kathrynchorney.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/female-leaning-on-chair-15min978.jpgfemale-leaning-on-chair-15min15-min study, shadows and highlight on toned paperhttps://kathrynchorney.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/male-semireclining-978-2.jpgmale semireclining-15min study on toned paper2025-08-13T18:04:18+00:00weekly0.6https://kathrynchorney.com/sample-gallery/sketchbook-my-inner-monk/https://kathrynchorney.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/mirrored-cat-faces1.jpgMirrored formsPlaying with mirrored forms, plant-like, and animal faces.https://kathrynchorney.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/dividing-forms11.jpegDividing formsDividing forms. Pattern produced by a simple formula.https://kathrynchorney.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/treeforms-1-and-2-400h1.jpgTreeforms 1 and 2I often try to spare moments to draw trees; I'm most attracted to maples, whose trunks, twisting and turning, reflect their slow timelines of growth. Later when I'm thinking about them, they look like this. https://kathrynchorney.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/geology_abstracts-8001.jpgGeology AbstractThree thoughts about layers, fissures, geologic time. https://kathrynchorney.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/compositions-and-passages-400h1.jpgCompositions and passagesCompositions and passages.https://kathrynchorney.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/osc-sketches-and-eyeball1.jpgSketchbook pagesA mashup of two different book pages. On the left, a page devoted to the "don't wait - meditate" philosophy in the few minutes before a meeting starts. On the right: part jewel, part eyeball, part manta ray.https://kathrynchorney.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/strongweak-forces-animal-faces1.jpgElements and linkagesElements and linkages, strong and weak forces, animal faces.https://kathrynchorney.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/noiseless1.jpgNoiselessNoiseless.https://kathrynchorney.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/plant-and-bug-faces1.jpgPlant and bug facesPlant and bug faces. I don't draw faces/portraits that often, but knowing how much most people like them, I do try!https://kathrynchorney.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/leaning-forms-400h1.jpgLeaning formsLeaning forms.2025-08-13T18:02:41+00:00weekly0.6https://kathrynchorney.com/botanical-subjects/https://kathrynchorney.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/lily-of-the-valley-emerging-shoots-978-a.jpgConvallaria majalis - Lily of the Valley, emerging shoots, 2021I have always looked forward to seeing the spiralling forms of the paired leaves of this plant, as they emerge and unfold each spring. I've always thought this would be the ideal time in the season to illustrate them. This year (2021) I finally had the chance. Colour pencil on drafting film, 13.5" x 10.5". ©Kathryn Chorneyhttps://kathrynchorney.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/daylilies-final-composite-jul30-978.jpgDaylily buds - genus HemerocallisAfter over two years of the pandemic’s influence on every aspect of life, including much of the time I would have normally had for creating new personal work, it is very good to finally complete something new for my gallery. These daylilies offered an intoxicating delicacy of colour and form in their budding stages. The genus name Hemerocallis comes from the Greek words for “day” and “beautiful”. I enjoyed another foray with the medium of colour pencil on translucent drafting film. This medium offers such delicate control over detail, form, and colour, and one can work across a range of visual approaches, from graphic thru to full dimensional form. The light parts of the image are back-painted with white acrylic; the colour pencil is deployed on both front and back of the film; and the piece is laid over a backing sheet of green Canson paper. Image size 13.5”h x 10.5”w. © 2022 Kathryn Chorney https://kathrynchorney.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/populus-tremuloides-978.jpgPopulus tremuloides - Trembling Aspen, Female Catkins, 2019This subject has a strong personal resonance for me, for two reasons. One is the wonderful fact that whole groves of this tree are related, clones of a single organism, with the oldest known clone believed to be 80,000 years old. This seems to me a wonderful statement of the oneness and continuance of all life. The second reason is that in Western Canada where I encountered this specimen, the catkins emerge in April, and this is a timing I associate with a profound recent event in my life that saw me meditating intensively on connectedness and continuance. Colour pencil, gouache, and acrylic on drafting film; approx 13.5" x 10.5". ©Kathryn Chorneyhttps://kathrynchorney.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/great-solomons-seal-978.jpgGreat Solomon's Seal - Polygonatum biflorum var. commutatum, 2021One of the first things that struck me about this beautiful native plant, was the visual interplay between the leaves and the row of pendant flowers on each stem -- this relationship seemed musical to me, with the regularly-spaced groups of blossoms suggesting a rhythmic series of chords, and the lush, curvaceous leaves seeming to perform a dancing melody above. Watercolour and graphite, approx 13" x 19". ©Kathryn Chorneyhttps://kathrynchorney.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/european-beech-adj-978.jpgEuropean BeechThis European Beech stands on the St George (downtown) campus of the University of Toronto, outside Hart House. Watercolour and graphite, 17.5" x 12". ©Kathryn Chorneyhttps://kathrynchorney.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/youngredmaple-adj-978.jpgYoung Red MapleA young Red Maple tree in one of the lakeside parks in Toronto, seen against a pale, overcast sky. I used liquid frisket to mask around the leaf masses so that I could render them using loose wet-in-wet and a variety of sponging techniques. I thought this contrasted in an interesting way with the delicate contours of the bark, rendered in graphite and subtle washes. Watercolour and graphite, 17.5" x 11.5". ©Kathryn Chorney https://kathrynchorney.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/lily-of-the-valley-emerging-shoots-978.jpgConvallaria majalis - Lily of the Valley, emerging shoots, 2021chttps://kathrynchorney.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/azalea2-adj-again-978.jpgAzalea 2This Azalea was a gift from a graduating class several years ago. I decided to extend its life as a series of paintings; this is one of them. Watercolour, casein. ©Kathryn Chorneyhttps://kathrynchorney.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/lilac-syringa-vulgaris-978.jpgCommon Lilac - Syringa vulgaris, 2018A beautiful subject, made as a commission for two beautiful people, one of whom is a Canadian, and who make their home in Brisbane AU. The piece is a reminder of the beauties of spring in southern Ontario. Watercolour and graphite, approx 11x14", 2018. ©Kathryn Chorneyhttps://kathrynchorney.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/bromeliad-reworked-978-1.jpgDusk - Guzmania lingulataI recently did some digital reworking to the composition of this study of a dried bromeliad stem. The more I thought about it, the more it seemed to me that this stem, even in death, contained so much life, even seeming to spring upwards, perhaps towards a new state of existence. I reworked the background digitally to enhance the effect. Watercolour, casein, acrylic, digital. 2012 (revised 2019) ©Kathryn Chorney2022-07-30T18:47:31+00:00weekly0.6https://kathrynchorney.com/2015/08/11/a-noiseless-patient-spider/2021-07-04T22:08:48+00:00monthlyhttps://kathrynchorney.com/sketchbook-plein-air-2/https://kathrynchorney.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/wisteria-pen-ink-1-550h.jpgJapanese Wisteria 1Even sitting around in someone's back yard is a good excuse for sketching.https://kathrynchorney.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/wisteria-pen-ink-2-550h.jpgJapanese Wisteria 2Still sitting around sketching in someone's back yard ... the Sherlock Holmes fan in me calls this house the 'Wisteria Lodge' of Mississauga Ontario.https://kathrynchorney.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/wisteria-800.jpgJapanese Wisteriahttps://kathrynchorney.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/allen-gardens-conservatory-800.jpgAllan Gardens Conservatory, Torontohttps://kathrynchorney.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/jarvis-st-houses-500h.jpgHouses - Jarvis St Torontohttps://kathrynchorney.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/boats-ducks-harbourfront-800.jpgBoats & Ducks, Harbourfront, Torontohttps://kathrynchorney.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/treestump-anchoring-stream-bank-2-800.jpgTreestump Anchoring Stream Bank 2A second mighty tree stump, helping to hold up the stream bank.https://kathrynchorney.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/strange-tree-roots-rbg-800.jpgStrange Tree RootsWalking in the Royal Botanical Gardens in Hamilton ON, I came across this tree, with very strange-looking roots, shaped like big pots, tunnels, and barrels. The bank was eroded away on this side; on the other side the tree looked perfectly normal. I didn't collect leaves to make an identification, so I don't know what type of tree it is, and don't yet know why the roots look so strange like this. Learning must continue! :-) Hopefully I'll find the answer at some point.https://kathrynchorney.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/nature-meets-the-city-jarvis-st-tree-800.jpgNature Meets the City 2Another great example of nature intersecting with city life. I love how the tree roots have disrupted the regular order of the paving stones and made the pattern more organic.https://kathrynchorney.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/nature-meets-the-city-bus-shelter-and-gas-pipe-800.jpgNature Meets the City 1Two sketches of nature intersecting with the built environment, in the Toronto area.2018-08-25T14:11:20+00:00weekly0.6https://kathrynchorney.com/sample-gallery/nature-journal-iii/2018-08-25T14:11:11+00:00weekly0.6https://kathrynchorney.com/medical-illustration/https://kathrynchorney.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/seated-back-view-800.jpgBack study, seatedAnother 10-minute study, with skeletal elements sketched in from memory while observing the live model. Conte on newsprint.https://kathrynchorney.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/standing-leaning-800.jpgAnatomy study, leaning on chairA 5-minute anatomical life study, with skeletal elements sketched in from memory while observing the live model. Conte on newsprint.https://kathrynchorney.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/anatomy3-colourized796.jpgBack view shoulder seatedLife study, with skeletal anatomy added later on tracing-paper overlay, then scanned and composited. Graphite on paper.https://kathrynchorney.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/backstudy1a-morebrown800.jpgStudy of the backStudy of the surface anatomy of the back, drawn at anatomical life drawing workshop. Conte on newsprint.https://kathrynchorney.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/anatomy2-colourized854.jpgShoulder study, arms raisedLife study, with skeletal anatomy added later on tracing-paper overlay, then scanned and composited. Graphite on paper.https://kathrynchorney.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/lowerlegs-bodyworlds-745.jpgLower limb studyAnatomical drawing - male lower limbs. Ballpoint ink on sketchbook paper.https://kathrynchorney.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/seated-skellyhead-composite800.jpgSeated 'skellyhead'Seated 'skellyhead', 10-minute study. I like to sketch in the skeletal elements from memory while drawing the live model. Conte on newsprint.https://kathrynchorney.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/standing-leg-up-composite900.jpgSkeletal study, standingA 10-minute study. I like to sketch in the skeletal elements from memory while drawing the live model. Conte on newsprint.https://kathrynchorney.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/kidney-transplant-4up1.jpgKidney TransplantationFour of six figures from a surgical illustration series on kidney transplantation. Carbon pencil, carbon dust, and highlight on Canson paper.https://kathrynchorney.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/ventricles-lateral-approach-flat.jpgLateral Approach to the Left Lateral VentricleConceptual view of the fluid-filled ventricles of the brain. In textbooks they are usually shown as though they were floating structures, similar to how I've shown them in the lower figure. However I was more interested in showing how these shapes are formed by the structures that surround them. Carbon dust and gouache on strathmore plate finish bristol.2018-08-25T03:34:13+00:00weekly0.6https://kathrynchorney.com/sample-gallery/sketchbook-observational/https://kathrynchorney.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/giraffes-800.jpgGiraffes at Toronto Zoohttps://kathrynchorney.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/african-land-snails-2012-800.jpgAfrican Land Snailshttps://kathrynchorney.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/pelicans-2014-750h.jpgPelicans, 2014https://kathrynchorney.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/pelicans-2014-500h.jpgpelicans-2014https://kathrynchorney.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/sheep-ram-heads-2014-9781.jpgSheep/ram head studiesRWF - Ewe and Ram Head Studies 2014, ballpoint ink.https://kathrynchorney.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/rwf-pig-study-2004-8001.jpgSow studyRWF - Sow Study 2006, ballpoint ink.https://kathrynchorney.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/rwf-ink-cow-studies-cu-2004-8001.jpgCow head studiesRWF Cow Head Studies 2004, ballpoint ink.https://kathrynchorney.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/rwf-ink-cow-studies-2004-10702.jpgCow studiesRWF Cow Studies 2004, ballpoint ink.https://kathrynchorney.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/rwf-goat-heads-800h2.jpgGoat head studiesRWF - Goat Head Studies, graphite pencil.https://kathrynchorney.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/rwf-2009-clydesdale-grooms-composite7001.jpgClydesdales and groomsRWF - Clydesdales and Grooms. I'm always amazed by the massive size of these magnificent animals, as compared to the two grooms (the woman is of course standing on a ladder, which I didn't draw in). They're so graceful for such big animals, and i love the way they alternately rest their hind feet by shifting their weight to one side and posing the tip of the other hoof on the ground. Graphite pencil. 2017-08-13T15:18:23+00:00weekly0.6https://kathrynchorney.com/sample-gallery/nature-journal-ii/https://kathrynchorney.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/highbush-cranberry-winter-800b.jpgHighbush Cranberry, MarchHighbush Cranberry, March. Because I'm left-handed, I have a habit of starting my notes at the right-hand side of the page and continuing towards the left. (I'm sure the only thing I can claim to have in common with Leonardo da Vinci.) https://kathrynchorney.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/winter-common-barberry-spring600b.jpgCommon Barberry, AprilCommon Barberry, April. Portrait of Saturday Apr 27. The same hedge as previous sketch, now with new leaves and buds emerging. The return of colour is quite startling, after the greys of winter. Stems are brilliant, deep red. That fruit still remains at the end of a long winter, suggests that this fruit is not good food for our native bird and insect species.https://kathrynchorney.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/winter-common-barberry-800b.jpgCommon Barberry, MarchCommon Barberry, March. This branch was from a hedge at the end of my street, which is no longer there, having been torn out as part of a home-reno. It's not a native plant, so it's not a tragedy, but on the other hand it points out one of the important things about nature journalling -- things are not permanent. https://kathrynchorney.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/wild-cucumber-800b.jpgWild Cucumber, AugustWild Cucumber, August, blooming everywhere along the trails in our local park on the shore of Lake Ontario. Although it spreads in a profuse tangle, the plant has a very regular structure.https://kathrynchorney.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/wild-clematis-on-riverbank-800b.jpgWild Clematis on the bank of the South Saskatchewan River, AugustWild Clematis on the bank of the South Saskatchewan River, August. Another Right-to-Left sequence of the life stages of this plant.https://kathrynchorney.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/viburnum-opulus-the-guelder-rose-800b.jpgViburnum Opulus, the 'Guelder Rose'Viburnum Opulus, the 'Guelder Rose'https://kathrynchorney.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/sycamore-study-800b.jpgSycamore, Sheridan College Campus, MaySycamore, Sheridan College Campus, Mayhttps://kathrynchorney.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/robins-in-nest-and-magnolias-800b.jpgRobins in Nest (May), and Magnolia Buds (April)Robins in Nest (May), and Magnolia Buds (April). I've mashed up two pages here -- the robins sketch is from May '13, and the Magnolia buds from Apr 27/13. These 4 young robins look impossibly packed into their tiny nest - but I swear the scale is accurate! The young birds fledged (left the nest) the following day. https://kathrynchorney.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/petunias-purple-800b.jpgPurple Petunias, AugustPurple Petunias, August. More petunias in my mother's garden. Me being me, I'm not primarily interested in pretty blooms (although they are lovely); I like to study the interesting forms of the emerging flowers as they unfold.https://kathrynchorney.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/petunias-green-800b.jpgWhite/Green Petunias, AugustWhite/Green Petunias, August. I drew these in my mother's back garden early in the morning. Over the hour or so, one petunia blossom opened up - you can see the progression in the 3 sketches at lower left.2017-08-04T19:50:25+00:00weekly0.6https://kathrynchorney.com/sample-gallery/nature-journal-i/https://kathrynchorney.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/winter-stella-doro-pods-800b.jpgStella D'Oro pods, SeptemberStella D'Oro pods, September. Subjects of interest are everywhere - these were in a drugstore parking lot. https://kathrynchorney.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/winter-scarlet-runner-beans-800b.jpgScarlet Runner Beans, OctoberScarlet Runner Beans, October. I opened one runner-bean pod to see the brilliantly-coloured beans. A few minutes later, the bean pod had curled up into a double-helix form. https://kathrynchorney.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/spiral-teasel-800b.jpgTeasel seed heads, AugustTeasel seed heads, August.https://kathrynchorney.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/spiral-pine-cones-500b.jpgRed Pine Cones, SummerRed Pine Cones, Summer. Spirals are some of the most intriguing structures in nature. This Red Pine cone has 8 spirals going in one direction, 13 in the other - two numbers from the mysterious Fibonacci sequence. https://kathrynchorney.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/peace-lily-open-and-cu-8001.jpgSpathiphyllum - 'Peace Lily' 2, OctoberSpathiphyllum - 'Peace Lily' 2, October. The Peace Lily's spathe (white 'petal') fully opens. I shot phone-cam photos through a magnifying glass to discover the minute structures of the composite flower head. https://kathrynchorney.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/peace-lily-1-800b.jpgSpathiphyllum - 'Peace Lily' 1, SeptemberSpathiphyllum - 'Peace Lily' 1, September. Another indoor journalling opp - the 'Peace Lily' (they're not really lilies) in my faculty office began to open its spathe to reveal its flowerhead. (I'm left-handed, so it feels natural to me to draw sequences from right to left.) https://kathrynchorney.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/money-plant-lunaria-annua-800b.jpgMoneyplant (Lunaria annua), NovemberMoneyplant (Lunaria annua), November. Always lots to learn. I discovered the 'coins' of the money plant are seedpods that open from the top; inside is a paper-thin sheet bearing several dark seeds. Here, many of the seeds have fallen, leaving their delicate stems behind on the 'paper'. https://kathrynchorney.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/ivy-800b.jpgIvy, March 2013Ivy, March 2013. I found this ivy growing on a stone farmhouse in Wellington County, Ontario. The ivy grows short, tough fibers that allow it to attach to the wall. https://kathrynchorney.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/golden-rain-tree-800b.jpgGolden Rain Tree seed pods, SeptemberGolden Rain Tree seed pods, September. The fall brings some of the most interesting journalling opportunities. I would pass this tree in my car driving home, getting more and more curious about the large clusters of hanging pods. One day I stopped and collected a few to take home and find out about them.https://kathrynchorney.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/cactus02-800b.jpgChristmas Cactus 2, MayChristmas Cactus 2, May. The cactus flowers continued to develop thru the following days. A possum paid a brief visit to the back garden - I did a quick sketch from memory. 2017-08-04T19:50:02+00:00weekly0.6https://kathrynchorney.com/sketchbook-geometric-things-in-nature/https://kathrynchorney.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/rbg-cactuses-composite-9001.jpgTwo cactusesTwo Cactuses: Mammilaria, and Astrophyta, Royal Botanical Gardens, Burlington, Ontario, pigma ink pen.https://kathrynchorney.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/rbg-aloe-5001.jpgAloeAloe, Royal Botanical Gardens, Burlington, Ontario, graphite pencil.https://kathrynchorney.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/onion-sketches-in-graphite-composite-8001.jpgOnions in the kitchenOnions, in my kitchen. Some of these studies led to the onion paintings on the Botanical page of this gallery. Graphite pencil. https://kathrynchorney.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/gogotte-and-anemones-9001.jpgGogotte and anemonesSandstone Concretion and Sea Anemones. I've mashed-up two sketchbook pages here -- always wanted to see these two together; for some reason they remind me of each other. On the left is part of a sandstone concretion, a type of mineral crystal, from the collection of the Royal Ontario Museum. On the right is a group of sea anemones that I drew at Ripley's Aquarium, Toronto. Both graphite pencil. https://kathrynchorney.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/rom-barite-composite-8001.jpgBarite crystalsBarite Crystals, Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto. Two views of the same barite mineral crystal. Graphite pencil. https://kathrynchorney.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/balloonflowers-composite-8001.jpgBalloon flower budsBalloon Flower buds in my front garden. Graphite pencil.https://kathrynchorney.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/rbg-cactuses-agave-composite-9001.jpgAgave, new leaves emergingAgave, new leaves emerging. New Agave leaves emerge at the center of the plant, each one gradually breaking free of the one surrounding it. You can see the imprint of the surrounding leaf's 'jaws' on the newly-emerged leaf. Royal Botanical Gardens, Burlington, Ontario. Pigma ink pen. 2017-08-04T19:49:19+00:00weekly0.6https://kathrynchorney.com/fungus-among-us/https://kathrynchorney.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/bracket-fungusc-978-750.jpgBracket Fungus - Ganoderma applanatum, 2011Found on a dead tree stump in Wellington County, Ontario, this specimen became my first fungus illustration. It won an award from the Puget Sound Mycological Society, one of the largest mycological societies in the USA. Watercolour & ink, 14"h x 10"w. ©Kathryn Chorney (original in private collection)https://kathrynchorney.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/hypholoma-sublateritiumd-978-668.jpgBricktops - Hypholoma sublateritium, 2015These tiny clusters of beautiful brick-red fungi were found growing on a dead tree stump in Wellington County, Ontario (lots of fun guys are to be found there). The background pattern is meant to suggest the hidden, branching network of hyphae, or mycelium -- root-like fibers that make up the bulk of most fungi. This piece has been exhibited in Ontario and California, and most recently in Focus on Nature XIV, one of the world's pre-eminent exhibitions of natural science illustration. The piece is now in the permanent collection of the New York State Museum. Watercolour, graphite, casein, and acrylic, 24"h x 18"w. ©Kathryn Chorney.https://kathrynchorney.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/birch-polyporec-978-744.jpgBirch Polypore - Piptoporus betulinus, 2013Found on a fallen birch in the woods north of Toronto. The goldenrod standing at right provides orientation to the horizontal treetrunk. Several view angles help emphasize the fascinating dimensional form of this fungal body. This piece was exhibited in the New York State Museum's Focus on Nature XIII and subsequently accepted into the NYSM's permanent collection of scientific illustrations. Watercolour, casein, acrylic, 14"h x 10.5"w. ©Kathryn Chorneyhttps://kathrynchorney.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/midnite-mushroomsc_978-659.jpgPolypore Fungus - Tyromyces sp., 2012Found on a dead maple tree in High Park, Toronto, in October 2011. These specimens were very small, only a couple of inches high, so I had an added challenge of learning to illustrate craggy tree bark in close-up. As a calligraphic element, I added the only known Shakespearean quotation about mushrooms - from The Tempest. This piece has been exhibited in Ontario and California, and most recently in Focus on Nature XIV, one of the world's pre-eminent exhibitions of natural science illustration. The piece is now in the permanent collection of the New York State Museum. Watercolour, casein, graphite, 24"h x 18"w. ©Kathryn Chorney2017-08-04T19:48:55+00:00weekly0.6https://kathrynchorney.com/about/2016-08-04T00:21:56+00:00weekly0.6https://kathrynchorney.com/sketchbooks/2016-01-18T23:41:04+00:00weekly0.6https://kathrynchorney.com/blog/2015-08-21T05:57:27+00:00weekly0.6https://kathrynchorney.com/sample-gallery/https://kathrynchorney.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/grape-hyacinth-800.jpgGrape HyacinthTiny signs of spring: Grape Hyacinths that escape from garden beds out into the lawns and verges of the city. Tiny, complex structures, with the spiralling form so often seen in nature.https://kathrynchorney.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/pitchers-pencils-and-colour-800.jpgPitcher PlantAnother familiar sight within the delicate ecosystems of the Bruce Peninsula, at Singing Sands. Sketching the 'pitchers' in pencil downplays the 'scariness' of their green/red veined appearance, focusing instead on their beautiful vase-like forms.https://kathrynchorney.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/ghi-stream-800.jpgStream, MayThere is a magical place in Wellington County, where I love to go when spring comes to the cow pastures and presents lovely sketching opportunities.https://kathrynchorney.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/dryads-saddle-800.jpgDryad's Saddle FungusNear our new home, there is an old tree stump that plays host to a large population of fungi that reappear at frequent intervals. This Dryad's Saddle takes a variety of fascinating forms as it grows.https://kathrynchorney.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/tree-stumps-three-800.jpgTree StumpAlso near our new home, a tree was cut down, and I found a startling contrast between the stark geometry of the cut trunk and the complex organic forms of the stump itself and roots.https://kathrynchorney.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/scottsdale-farm-barn-800.jpgScottsdale Farm, OntarioA warm summer afternoon, a few sketching pals, and an old abandoned barn on a farm that has been donated to the province as a public park. https://kathrynchorney.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/bleeding-heart-800.jpgDicentra japonica - garden Bleeding HeartI've always thought 'Bleeding Heart' was sort of a corny name for this interesting plant. A closer look reveals the intricate structure - so much more than just pretty pink hearts!https://kathrynchorney.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/bladder-campion-800.jpgBladder CampionA widely ranging wildflower. This specimen's blooms were not yet fully open when I found them. I'm always most interested in flowers that defy the conventional forms we know best, and am continually amazed at the variety of forms that flowers can take.https://kathrynchorney.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/yellow-ladys-slipper-800.jpgYellow Lady's Slipper OrchidEarly summer in Tobermory Ontario, at the tip of the Bruce Peninsula, and these familiar wild orchids are in their glory. Orchids always seem to have their own unique ways of doing things, so unlike other flowering plants.https://kathrynchorney.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/orchid-1-800.jpgPhalaenopsis - 'household' orchid INature is in the house. This orchid had not bloomed for two years, so the early small green buds were a welcome sight. I avidly followed their progress over the next several pages of my journal. This spread proceeds right to left (my habit as a left-handed artist).2015-08-10T06:26:50+00:00weekly0.6https://kathrynchorney.comdaily1.02025-08-13T18:04:18+00:00