Tuesday, July 10, 2007

EDM #15 - Trees, leaves, or branches (4th Fact)

Fact #4: Years ago, I didn't enter the medical field because I was too frightened to take one communications class (that required me to speak in front of people). So, I became a botanist instead.

I know it's odd to think of it now since I have to speak publicly often, but I was a shy kid and well, nothing, and I mean absolutely NOTHING, would have made me take a class like that back then.

Thankfully, being a botanist means I now know the name of the plant from which this stump came. This is a stump of a Bougainvillea bush that I found at the airport while waiting for my plane home. I really liked its gnarly form.

14 comments:

andrea joseph's sketchblog said...

Joan this is such a good drawing. SO good. I understand the fear of doing that class - I myself have stopped doing things because of the fear of public speaking. It's my worse fear! Your drawings of plants and trees are excellent. So the botany was a good choice!

Sharon said...

Joan, your work is always lovely. I really enjoy visiting your blog!

Anonymous said...

Hi Joan. I wandered across here after following the notebook tag on flickr, and just wanted to say how great these drawings are. I love these facts too -- I'm inspired to do the same.

MILLY said...

Joan, really like your drawing. Years ago I chose wood as my art topic and really enjoyed doing similar tree stumps,twisted shapes in hedgerows and drftwood. Such a good subject to draw, so varied.

Tracy said...

oh very nice. really nice drawing J.
and i didnt want to take chemistry - ha! seriously - funny how if we only knew then what we know now, huh? but then again i think things work out like they are supposed to. :-)

Tami said...

This is lovely! Looking through your blog (this is my 1st visit) I must say, "I am so glad you came out of the closet! Your work is too wonderful to hide in a drawer or to just lay aside!

Lynn said...

Beautiful! You have a terrific way with the details.

juj said...

Isn't it funny the things that shape the course of our life? How different your life would have been had you gone on to medical school, and what are the chances that you'd have time to draw if you had...

This drawing is really beautiful. The tree has such character and you've drawn it with such attention. It's simply wonderful.

Anonymous said...

What a story!! And your sketch is amazing. I don't think i can draw a tree, seriously. I think they're one of the hardest things to grasp, drawing-wise.

Joan Y said...

Thanks for the feedback everyone! You all made my day! :)

mrana said...

This is gorgeous Joan, I love the twisted lines ... and I used to be painfully shy when I was younger, and to this day avoid public speaking though the shyness wore off at some point in the last 47 years!

Joan Y said...

Hey D, I feel like I went back to my "roots" so to speak after doing this drawing.

Thanks M! Thank goodness we grew out of that awkward stage! I still consider myself shy although I don't people would describe me as that.

Unknown said...

excellent study

Anonymous said...

Beautiful job on this stump! I love looking at trees, their forms are just so interesting.