Rudbeckia flowers in our back yard, drawn in pencil on heavy handmade paper with deckled edges.

I gave myself permission to bask in dappled sunlight one October afternoon, and soon found myself sitting under a big oak tree with my sketchbook and a cheerful patch of Black-Eyed Susans. I appreciated my front-row seat to nature’s quiet show.

Working in pencil allowed me to focus on motion, shapes and shadows: the way petals curl and stems lean, the quiet drama of sunlight filtering through leaves, the dark mass of foliage hugging the earth. There’s no color here, just lines and textures. Sometimes, stripping things down to black and white lets the spirit of a subject speak more clearly.

If you’re looking for a piece that brings Nature's supreme calm indoors—or perhaps a reminder that beauty is often right outside your door—this drawing is for you. It’s signed, ready to frame, and sized to fit just about anywhere you need a breath of fresh air.

Here’s to simple joys, happy petals, and the art of slowing down.