Out there, with a sketchbook

Every sketch holds a story—sometimes it’s a crooked rooftop, sometimes just the way a leaf catches the light. Whether I’m wandering through a garden or pausing on a busy city block, these drawings are my way of noticing, of slowing down. And how we share what we see? That’s where the real magic begins.

The power of painting live

SF Botanical garden, a lone Asiatic Lily
Step one: the sketch
Step two: segmenting the first washes
Step three: more washes, more depth
Step five: glazing
Here's the actual lily

A fiery poppy

A fiery poppy in full bloom—bold, layered, and just a little wild. It holds the energy of the moment and the quiet focus it took to get there.
Step one: the sketch

I started with loose, searching lines to find the poppy’s shape—no pressure, just intense observation and flow. This is where the flower first takes root.
Step two: the first washes

Then came the color—wet-on-wet washes in hot reds and golds, blending on the page like flame. This is where the bloom starts to burn.
Step three: more washes, more depth

I built up layers, letting colors deepen and settle into place. The poppy started to feel full, luminous—almost ready to leap off the page.
The actual poppy

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