the world in a flower

If asked to quickly draw a leaf or a flower this is what I would draw:

But when I look at a leaf, slow down and try to draw what I see...

At first glance, our eyes might drift over a lawn or forest floor, not noticing anything in particular. But take a closer look. 

What are the shapes? Lines? Curves? Pointy edges? Colours? Shades? Notice the edges of a leaf, the veins inside, and the gradations of colour. How many shades of green can you see? 

sorting leaves

When we looked closely, we noticed the intricacies of each individual leaf or flower.  

When trying to draw what I see, I like to imagine the image entering through my eyes, traveling into my brain, down my arm, along my fingers and out through the pencil I am holding. We look, draw, look again...in a continuous cycle. We draw what we see.  We draw what we see rather than what we think a leaf should look like. 
 

This type of drawing can be relaxing, meditative, sometimes frustrating and hard work. But the results are amazing. We came away feeling calm and a bit more connected.

Each drawing was unique, like each of us. 

What details will you notice the next time you walk across your lawn? Or through the forest? Will you see a world inside a leaf or a single flower? We encourage you to take the time to really see, and to even draw what you see!

Shauna